Page 9 of Breathless Recruiter

“For your safety.” My toes left the sidewalk, drifting into the air. “And for the safety of all Vanguard.”

Bob ran his hands through his hair, his lip raised to one side as he considered my suggestion. Before he replied, I launched upward. It hadn’t been the best save, but I considered it a win. Not because Bob survived plummeting into the river and dying, but because I told him to stay inside his house. All of Vanguard benefitted from that nugget of wisdom.

I reached over my shoulder and gave myself a tap on the back. “Good job, Wyatt Supreme.”

I tugged at my spandex, trying to give my package some much-needed space. Skin-tight clothing came at a cost. Thecostume might look impressive, but I’d much rather be in a pair of fuzzy pants on the couch.

With a save under my belt, I called it a night and returned home.

“To victory,” I shouted, zipping toward my apartment.

3

Today would be a mostexcellent day.

From across the street, I admired the new building. It no longer had broken windows covered with boards. I missed the graffiti. The fence with missing sections had been removed. I’d miss the youths who hung out front breaking glass bottles for entertainment. In its place was a building best described asnice.

“Change is good,” I reminded myself. Earth Mom taught me life is always changing. I could either hang on to the past or embrace the future. At least the ruffians shouting colorful phrases hadn’t changed.

I paused at the intersection, waiting for the crosswalk sign to turn green. “All laws matter,” I hummed. Humans loved their laws. I hadn’t quite figured out their justice system. Sometimes, bad guys were good, and good guys were bad. I found it confusing, but I was determined to be an upstanding citizen.

“Green!”

I paused, checking the road, left, then right. I peaked left one more time for good measure. With the coast clear, I jogged across the street, holding my brown fedora against the top of my head. The sidewalk led down a path that wrapped arounda water fountain. I’d be sure to spend my lunch breaks here listening to the water… unless the ducks found me.

Slabs of broken concrete had been replaced with benches and greenery in every direction. This little forest almost hid the building itself. It wasn’t as big as the forest around Earth Mom’s house, but it’d do for a quick chocolaty snack. It took a little convincing, but I could see how change improved the building. Even the Synergy Research & Secret Identities Incorporated sign, made from shiny metal, stood proudly.

“Hey!”

I reached for my button-down, ready to tear open my shirt, and— “Oh.” Dustin jogged through the intersection, hand waving as he approached. Without the impending death at the tiny hands of furry death, I had a chance to focus on Dustin, onallof him.

Dustin was… I dropped my hands from my shirt, turning away to adjust the growing problem in my pants. I couldn’t tell if my little fella rose to the occasion because of Dustin’s rugged dusting of facial hair or the way his belly stretched the fabric of his uniform, letting the white undershirt peak through. I wanted more than a peak.

He caught up, buckling over as he panted. Our security guard wouldn’t be chasing criminals from the building. Though… if he did… I’d stare at how his backside jiggled. I fidgeted with my suspenders before shoving my hands in my pockets, removing the temptation to poke at his butt.

“Running…” He stood upright, hands on his sides as he leaned backward into a stretch. How could I not look? It’d be rude. Or perhaps he was thrusting his package in my direction to highlight it? I couldn’t ignore his obvious ploy.

“Wow.”

“Wow?”

My eyes shot up to his face. It had been a glorious, bulging mound where the silver of his zipper stuck out. My fists balled, tempted to tuck it back into place. Despite Janet touching the butt of everybody in the office, I knew it was impolite to touch another man’s junk without permission.

A good man minded his manners.

“Wow, that landscaping is really impressive.” Perfect save.

With his breathing under control, Dustin nodded. “They did a great job. I remember when this used to be a derelict building. How it wasn’t condemned is beyond me.” He said condemned, I said cozy.

“Are you heading to work?”

He nodded. “Glad the renovations are over, and you guys are back in the building. The construction crews were boring as hell. It’s nice seeing folks without hard hats.”

“Your position is…”

He spun around, pointing over his shoulder at the giant white letters spelling “Security.” As quickly as I read the word, my eyes drifted to his butt. I bet it’d feel like a pillow if I rested my?—

“I’m glad Secret Identities is here. The scientists aren’t a fun bunch.”

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