Anthony’s POV
“He’s friendly,” Anthony muttered without looking up. But when Samuel released a confused yelp, it prompted his eyes up and to where the hero was standing—or rather, had been standing. Only his clothes remained, suspended in the air. The healer’s lips twisted into a cruel smile. “Invisibility? Or camouflage?”
Winston’s POV
Winnie could hear his heart pounding in his ears and hammering against his chest. He felt physically ill with the flow of anxiety pouring through his bloodstream. After a moment or two, I forced the color the pool back into my skin, slowly shifting back to normal. “That ain’t got anything to do with you and the guard.” Winnie complained, getting a small spurt of bravery.
Anthony’s POV
Anthony pinned him down with a harsh glare. Meanwhile, Samuel had gone up on his hind legs and was sniffing at Winston’s waist line, a trail of slobber dribbling from the corner of his mouth. “Fine. Why is the World Guard desperate enough to hire me?”
Winston’s POV
Winnie shied away from the icy glare Remedy gave him. He reached down, gently stroking Samuel’s head. He almost likes the grotesque better than Remedy. At least he knew it didn’t want to injure him. “All they told me was that we got a lot of crime in the city and it’s getting a little hard to keep up.”
Anthony’s POV
Anthony snorted, both at Firefly’s statement and how pathetic his little brother the balding creature looked, butting his head against the ‘hero’s’ hand. “Meaning, they’re desperate. Why should I accept? The Guard has nothing but disdain for me, and there’s no reward mentioned anywhere here… at least, nothing of value.”
Winston’s POV
Winnie smiled softly. As much as the creature (grotesque suddenly sounded too cruel for Winston) was an abomination, it just wanted some attention.He continued to oblige it, concentrating to keep his glow down to the minimum so he didn’t scare it with any outbursts. “You’ll get paid, Remedy.” Winnie huffed, a bit annoyed. “It’s more about doing good anyways. Keeping people safe.”
Opals POV
Opal turned her head to look Ae-Ri in the eyes. “What do you want me to say, I couldn’t have done anything.”. She hated confrontation, but she also wasn’t going to be scolded like a child.
Anthony’s POV
Anthony snorted. “I’m a mercenary. To be quite frank, I don’t give a shit. I need money to survive, therefore I care about being paid.”
Meanwhile, Samuel was having a field day, his tongue lolling from the side of his mouth.
Ae-Ri’s POV
“You sided with the enemy,” she practically hissed. “Why? Why would you do that?”
Winston’s POV
“You get money for bounties.” Winnie nodded that the paper. “That’s why there’s no money listed.” He gave Samuel a final pet before standing at his full height. “And you’ll probably get a team to work with. They’ll support you through anything.” His lips curved into the beginnings of a smile, thinking of Ae-Ri and Opal.
Opals POV
“I didn’t side with the enemy,” Opal seethed back, “I just didn’t side with you! And even if I did, what could I have done to help? Mentally ask her if she would politely wait for Winston to come over with his cuffs?” She felt bad for arguing, but now that she had started, she didn’t want to stop.
Anthony’s POV
Anthony’s lip curled disdainfully. “No. I will not work with a team.” And why should he? He’d always done everything on his own—the grotesques didn’t count.
Ae-Ri’s POV
“Fine, maybe you didn’t side with her, but you told her your name?? Your address? What the fuck, Opal?” Ae-Ri balled her hands into fists. “I’m not angry. I’m confused and worried.”
Winston’s POV
Winston stopped, looking at Remedy curiously. After a moment or two his blue eyes lit up with realization. “How old are you?” He tilted his head to the side, trying to puzzle something together.
Opals POV
Opals arguing spirit quickly lost some of its fire. She had done those things, and she shouldn’tve, and not just because she was a hero. What sane person would give their address to a super powered bank robber? But she was still too angry to admit that. “Well, I’m fine, and honestly I don’t think she would have hurt me! She was literally just walking me home!”
Anthony’s POV
Anthony narrowed his eyes, unsettled by his guest’s sudden burst of confidence. “I’m twenty,” he lied smoothly, adding a few years into his actual age. “Why?”
Opals POV
Opals arguing spirit quickly lost some of its fire. She had done those things, and she shouldn’tve, and not just because she was a hero. What sane person would give their address to a super powered bank robber? But she was still too angry to admit that. “Well, I’m fine, and honestly I don’t think she would have hurt me! She was literally just walking me home!”
Ae-Ri’s POV
“She’s a criminal, goddammit!” she yelled, “She’s going to break in there now! You cannot believe that everyone is as good as you, Opal! They’re not! I’m not!”
Winston’s POV
Winston did his best not to flinch at Remedy’s harsh glare, kneeling down to stroke Samuel. “He’s a liar, ain’t he bud?” He cooed to Samuel, stroking the creature’s head again.
Opals POV
Opal regretted the next thing that flew out of her mouth, but she couldn’t take back what she said. “Then maybe I should have picked a better friend.”
Anthony’s POV
Anthony’s eyes darkened. Setting his papers down on a nearby counter, he stepped towards Firefly and touched his forefinger against the back of his neck. “If you’ve come to disrespect me, I suggest you leave, before you join these grotesques. If you’d like to politely negotiate, drop the attitude.”
Ae-Ri’s POV
Ae-Ri flinched back as if she’d been slapped. “That’s cruel, Opal,” she whispered, betrayal flickering across her face. “Especially from you. If you regret our friendship… the door’s that way. I thought I could count on you of all people not to turn your back on me.”
Opals POV
Opal didn’t know what to say. She had meant to be mean, but she hadn’t meant to hurt her. “Ae-Ri, I- “ but before she could finish another hero had knocked on the door and shouted through. “Some eclectic-powered idiot is robbing the bank a block down, it’s all hands on deck!”
Ae-Ri’s POV
“Save it, Opal. Keep your apologies for friends you’re not just pretending to care about.” Ae-Ri forced her expression to go hard, pushing past Opal to the door. “On our way!”
Winston’s POV
Winston’s blood turned to ice in his veins as he felt Remedy’s touch against the back of his neck. His eyes widened, body visibly tension as a reaction. He bit his lip to prevent himself whimpering. What would Ae-Ri do? The answer to that was kick Remedy’s ass, and Winnie didn’t have the capability to do that right now. Instead. he bowed his head, exposing the rest of his neck along with the arch of his spine. All the while trying not to have a killer panic attack. His next words came out shaky and filled with fear. “Have…. Have you—“ He took a deep breath, restarting again. “Have you ever… ever let someone look out for you before?” He asked meekly, his eyes locked onto the floor, not daring to move a muscle.
Anthony’s POV
His tone practically dropped with sarcasm when he spoke again. “Why on earth would I need that? I am more than capable of taking care of myself.” Trailing his fingers down the back of Firefly’s neck, he called Samuel to his side.
Winston’s POV
This can not be happening… Winston’s breathing hitched, caught between his teeth as a shiver ran down his spine. As soon as his face turned red, he automatically flickered into camouflage, blending in with the bland floor. “It’s nkt good to be isolated.” He protested softly, urging himself to focus on anything other than the light and deadly fingers poking at the sensitive area on the back of his neck.
Anthony’s POV
Anthony’s laugh was low, musical, and cruel. “On the contrary,” he answered slowly, almost as if he was amused. “It’s much better to be isolated. You don’t depend on people who will let you down, that way.”
Pulling his fingers away from the vanishing boy’s neck, he returned to the file he’d previously discarded.
Winston’s POV
Winnie stay on his knees, stunned. What just happened? Was he within an inch of death? Or horrible fate of a malformed creature? Or… what? He shifted into a sitting position, rubbing the back of his neck. Only his confused eyes and clothes were visible as he watched Remedy. “So you’re not coming then.” He states more than asked, feeling the need to start putting distance between himself and Remedy.
Anthony’s POV
Anthony raised an eyebrow. “When did I say that? I know you just handed me pamphlets on why I should join up, but I want you to convince me instead.”
Winston’s POV
“Me?” Natural pigment started to seep slowly into Winston’s skin. Turning his cheeks from a dark grey to a flushed pink. He couldn’t understand Remedy’s reasoning. “I… I met my family there.” He began hesitantly. “Mirage and Broadcast are like the sisters I always wanted. And… the Guard does good things. Let my Ma and I stay there after we…” got foreclosed on. “After some things happened. And it’s a little scary I guess because sometimes not everyone thinks the same thing is right.” He mumbled, getting a little off track.
Anthony’s POV
Anthony sighed through his nose. “I’ve alread told you how I feel about teams and families.” He spat out the two words like they tasted foul. “Stop giving me sentiment. Tell me what I can gain by joining.”
Winston’s POV
Winnie stared at Remedy, not afraid as much as he was totally confused. “I don’t know what else anyone could want? It looks good on a college application? I’m guessin’ you’re younger than me.”
Alec’s POV
Alec knew the hat he was pushing his luck, some of the heroes had to have overcome their shock at someone brazen enough to rob a bank right by headquarters. He finished packing his bag. He should probably have left by now. He got up to look around. There was a surprisingly little amount of heroes around tho, there should have been at least one already. He sighed, Maybe that’s why they sent that young redhead?
Opals POV
Opal did her best to follow behind Ae-Ri, but her brisk pace made it hard to keep up. She tried to reach out to her mentally but what she saw stopped her. Ae-ri’s mind was sharp, and brilliant… and hurt. Just as she was about to pull back she sensed another presence down a nearby alley. It was strong, and beautiful, and dreamlike. Pasithea, she realized. She turned to shout to Ae-Ri, but no one was there. With a deep breath, she steeled herself and marched down the alley.
