Page 67 of Archenemies

Hugh tipped his head. “Nice to see you, Adrian.”

Adrian waved, trying to disguise his disappointment. It wasn’t unusual for Hugh to visit Max, and he knew it was good for the kid to have some human interaction that didn’t involve syringes and hazmat suits.

Still. The medallion was heavy around his neck and he was eager to test his theory.

“Hold on,” said Max, lifting a finger in Adrian’s direction. “I’m about to kick his ass.”

Hugh looked back at him, aghast. “Don’t sayass.”

“Fine. I’m about to kick yourdonkey.” Max laid down one card, then shook out his shaggy hair. They were sitting cross-legged in the middle of City Park, and Max, who was already small for his age, looked downright infinitesimal next to the Captain, whose effortless muscles had long served as inspiration for superhero comic artists everywhere.

Hugh laid down two cards. “You know, you’re not supposed to let your opponent know that you have a good hand.”

“Maybe I’m bluffing,” said Max.

Hugh eyed him. “That’s not really how bluffing works.”

“Are you sure?” said Max, taking the new card he was dealt.

Hugh met Max’s bet, throwing a couple pieces of candy into a pile that sat between them. They showed their cards—Max won with two pairs. Hugh had nothing at all.

Max sighed, almost as if disappointed in the exchange as he pushed the pile of candy toward the park’s carousel. He looked up at Adrian, shaking his head. “He can’t resist seeing a good hand, even if he knows he can’t beat it. I think it could be a diagnosable disorder. Like a psychological need for closure, along with an aversion to ambiguity and an authoritarian demeanor.”

Hugh scowled. “What? I’m not like that. Am I?”

“Eh,” said Adrian, avoiding comment.

Hugh scoffed and gathered up the cards. “Maybe I just like seeing my younger son winning at life.” He pointed at the pile of candy as he stood. “Can I take one Choco-Malt for the road?”

“No,” said Max, sweeping the pile out of reach. “But you can go to the corner store and buy some more.” He pointed toward a small glass strip mall. “I’m pretty sure the nearest one is on Broad Street.”

“Fair enough.” Bending down, Hugh gave Max a squeeze around his shoulders. “Thanks for making some time for your old man. I’ll see you later.”

Max leaned into the embrace. “Night, Dad.”

Hugh grinned at Adrian as he emerged from the quarantine. “Are you back on patrols tonight?” he asked, giving Adrian a quick sideways hug.

“Yeah, but we’re only supposed to be called out for minor disputes for the next few days.”

“How are Danna and Ruby?”

“Fully recovered,” said Adrian. “Ready to get back work.”

“Well, I know you’re all young and eager, but I think this break might have been good for them, for all of you.” He yawned, though Adrian could tell it was fake. “I’m taking off. Been another long day on the Council. You boys stay out of trouble now.”

As soon as he had gone, Max groaned. “Sometimes I think he really does believe he lives in a comic book.”

“If anyone did, it would be Captain Chromium,” said Adrian. He watched as Max lifted up the roof of Merchant Tower and started loading the stash of candy into it. “Listen, Max, I have something to show you. Something kind of huge. At least, if it works it will be kind of huge.”

Max turned to him, interest piqued. “Are you drawing me a dragon? Because Turbo is cool, but adragon…”

As if recognizing his name, the tiny velociraptor crept out from beneath the Stockton Bridge, where Max had made him a small nest out of shredded newspaper.

“Uh, no,” said Adrian.

Max wrinkled his nose. Popping open a bag of gummy worms, he fed one to the dinosaur. Adrian noticed the white bandages crossed over the back of his hand.

A prodigy doctor would have had that wound fully healed weeks ago…

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