Page 41 of The Not So Super Hero
Not to mention Sasha seemed to know him.How the hell did Zane know a villain?The guy didn’t seem like the villain type.Ok, so Bailey constantly called him one, but he didn’t blow up cities.The guy was an asshole, quiet and aloof, but he sure as hell wasn’t a Sasha or Boomer.At least, Bailey didn’t view him as one, though he didn’t seem like a hero either.He didn’t have powers that Bailey heard past heroes using either, so how did they know each other?Bailey left that part out, not informing either of his friends of the conversation between the two.There were some secrets that needed to remain secrets.
“I better get going.You look like you need to rest.”Amery brushed a strand of Bailey’s hair behind his ear, tucking it beneath the glasses he bought from the store.They weren’t the best.His eyes felt a little strained from wearing them, but they would have to do.
“Yeah…yeah, I’m tired,” Bailey breathed out quietly.
Amery said goodbye, ordering Bailey to get some sleep.It was a long day with what happened, the interviews with police afterwards, then Bailey filling his friends in.It was well past 3am.Bailey was both mentally and physically exhausted.However, even after his eyes closed, Bailey couldn’t sleep.
He remained there in bed, staring into the darkness of the room that paled compared to the darkness that saved him that day.He kept imagining it there, the mist that surrounded Zane and protected them.The shadows seemed to come to life, even if Bailey knew they couldn’t.It made his body break out in goosebumps before he tossed to his side, hoping that if he stared at the wall it would help.
It didn’t.
He kept dwelling on what happened, what Sasha said.Somehow, her voice wouldn’t leave his head, continuing to bombard him.She said Zane wasn’t her main objective, which meant he was an objective?What would Rebirth want with Zane?He was powerful, but surely, they had many powerful people in their arsenal.They wouldn’t send someone after Zane if he wasn’t important to Rebirth.Was he important to them and if he was, why?
She mentioned she was shocked Zane remembered how to fight.Which meant they fought before?It made sense since Zane clearly knew how to fight but, why did they fight before?How did they?Whose side was he on?
And who the hell was Law?Hearing that name made Zane flinch.He didn’t move at all or comment on anything, but that one word seemed to bother him most.She said Law missed him.Who were they?How did they know each other?Was Zane frightened of them?If so, why?
No answers, not a single one, even after thinking about it for what felt like an eternity.With a groan, Bailey checked his phone to find that it was after 4am.He was exhausted, and it seemed sleep was finally taking him.However, even when the boy drifted off into the sleep he desperately needed, he found himself asking,
Who the hell is Zane?
CHAPTER 14
Withclassescanceled,Baileyhad a lot of time on his hands.Unwanted time.He didn’t have work either, so he sat in the hotel room watching TV.He already spoke to his parents.They suggested a break from the remaining semester.They panicked on the phone, talking about how they didn’t want their boy in the city when villains were attacking regularly.Almost every day there was another attack on the news, and now Ringgold was added to the list of recent tragedies.The death toll continued to rise, what with the collapsing buildings that were still being searched.
His parents took some time to convince.Since the attack, heroes were pouring in, they were keeping more and more in larger cities in case of another assault, which relieved his parents a bit.They said that if something happened again; they were going to force Bailey to take a break.Apparently, the world was “too crazy.”Bailey agreed to some extent.
Earlier, Ryan mentioned something about the two of them going out to get food, but Bailey declined.He claimed he was still tired.Whether Ryan believed him was undetermined, but he told Bailey to call if he needed anything and left.
Bailey curled into the blankets, wrapping them up to his nose.His eyes were strained from the new glasses.He took them off to rest for a moment.
He thought of Zane, if he was alright.Bailey hadn’t seen Zane get physically injured, but that doesn’t mean he wasn’t hurt.Sometimes mutants’ abilities had repercussions.Sometimes, using their powers after so long of ignoring them could cause immense physical pain.Like when someone tried working out after having not done it for a while and their muscles screamed back in agony.Imagine that, but ten times worse.Bailey got the feeling Zane didn’t use his mutation very often, and that left him worried.
Did Zane even want to see Bailey, though?After what happened—he told Bailey to leave, like he didn’t want to be around him.Did that mindset remain?Was he ashamed of what he did, worried, or what?
Bailey bit into his lip, reaching out blindly for his glasses.The world came into view while he continued mulling over his options.Visit Zane or don’t visit him.Thank him or don’t thank him.
About 5 minutes later, he was on his feet.Though from time to time Bailey hesitated to change, or stood in front of the mirror with a worried expression, he ended up leaving the hotel.If one good thing happened from yesterday, it was the fact that Bailey’s car survived.Yeah, shocking.
Bailey wondered if Zane even remembered that he knew how to get there.He snickered, then worried about Zane being upset.Another moment of hesitation outside his vehicle, resulting in him standing in the blistering winter wind.With a deep breath and some small amount of courage, Bailey got into his car.If Zane ignored him, he would thank him, then leave.
The car ride didn’t ease Bailey’s anxiety.The closer he got to Zane’s place, the faster his heart beat until he found himself in the parking lot.Resting his forehead against the wheel, Bailey took deep breaths, tapping his fingers to no beat in particular.
“Get over it, Bailey,” he ordered.“Zane saved you.You need to thank him.”
Before he realized it, he was in front of Zane’s apartment, legs shaking while he raised his fist.Wasn’t knocking supposed to be simple?Yet Bailey couldn’t work up the nerve to do it.He lingered in silence, standing awkwardly before the door with his fist in the air.Then he knocked.The sound echoed, bombarding him until his eyes actually watered.However, there was no movement.Bailey frowned and tried again, and again, and again.There was the chance that Zane wasn’t home, but he seriously doubted that.He had the distinct feeling that he was being ignored.
“Zane, if you’re in there, please open up?”Bailey cleared his throat.“Are you okay?You disappeared yesterday, so I couldn’t ask.I’m not leaving until you answer.I’ll sit out here all day if I have to.”
Bailey wasn’t exactly sure where his stubborn nature was coming from, but he was grateful for it.Then the lock clicked, and a chain rustled.The door didn’t open, though.Bailey pushed the door open, peering into darkness.The curtains were shut.Not even the TV was on.The only light came from the open doorway, pouring inside to reveal the dim outline of Zane’s body beneath the blankets.
“Zane, I’m turning on the light,” Bailey said.
He didn’t get a response.
Frowning, he flicked on the light, then shut the door.Bailey remained as quiet as possible, though the room felt tense because of his presence.The hair on the back of his neck stood at attention.His body broke out in goosebumps.The temperature of the room dropped until Bailey felt like he had suddenly been thrown outside into the cold winter air.
Bailey forced himself to spit out, “How are you feeling?”
