I pull my hood up and rush over to Aubrey's mom’s electric vehicle. The torrential downpour is hammering everything. Tings and thumps fill the air as the heavy raindrops collide with the deep blue car. Aubrey throws the door open, waving me in. I leap in and close the door behind me. My clothes are soaked to hell. I unzip my hoodie and toss it in the backseat. Now, to set up the backstory.

  “It’s really raining out there, huh,” Aubrey said.

  “Ya think?” I said sarcastically

  “Just joking. Don’t shoot the messenger,” she said, raising her hands.

  “That saying doesn’t even work for this situation. If you’re going to make fun of me for getting rained on, at the very least, make it funny.”

  “My bad. So what happened? You promised to tell me.”

  “Well, obviously, you were there when she called and said she wanted to talk. After we talked about closure, I realized this might be my last chance. We met up at that 7/11 on Lilliard because she said she wanted us to go for a drive. But she wouldn’t tell me where we were going. Immediately, I felt like she was off,” I said.

  “Off? What do you mean by that?” Aubrey asked.

  “I was getting to it before you interrupted me,” I said pointedly.

  “Again, my bad, continue.”

  “She was manic, talking a mile a minute, and I hate to use the word, but acting crazy. I have never seen her like this. She told me she understood why we needed to break up but that she was going to fix everything.” White lies seem to be acceptable.

  “Fix it how? Sorry! I did it again,” Aubrey said.

  “How about you focus on the road while I tell you the story? That way, today doesn’t end with two people dying.”

  Aubrey mimics zipping her lips and eating the key.

  “So you can be funny. Anyway, I had no idea what she meant about fixing everything. Maria barely let me get a word in edgewise as she drove up here. She kept repeating over and over how much she loved me. And I’m going to be honest: I’m kind of worried about her. She said she was going away for a bit but that everything would be better soon. Then she bought a ticket at the terminal and just left, leaving me behind,” I said.

  “She left her car behind? Eryk, should we tell someone, like, I don’t know, her family or the police?” Aubrey asked.

  This is going better than I could have imagined.

  “She doesn’t have anyone else besides me. And regardless of what’s happening, Maria would never want her parents involved. They aren’t exactly winning any parental awards or even able to compete. Maria does not have a good relationship with them, and I don’t want to betray her trust and say any more than that.”

  Aubrey doesn’t respond, or more like she doesn’t know how to. The only sound in the car is the rain and the occasional boom of distant thunder. Aubrey is probably going over all the interactions she’s had with Maria before through a different lens. She’s thinking of all the times she could have been nicer to the poor, lonely Maria.

  “I had no idea. I’m not sure how to say this correctly, but you don’t think she’d, you know?” Aubrey asked awkwardly.

  “Kill herself? No, she wouldn’t. Maria would never hurt herself. When I say I’m worried about her, it’s because she’s never acted like this, but I’m not afraid of that. She’s more likely to hurt someone else than herself. I just think that the breakup is a lot harder on her than I thought it would be. I’m starting to wonder if I made the right decision.”

  “Eryk, don’t even think about it. You can’t just get back together with her because she’s struggling. Remember all the reasons you had to break up with her in the first place. This could be a manipulation tactic; girls can be calculated in the worst way,” Aubrey said.

  “I didn't even think of that. The idea of manipulating someone who loves you leaves a weird taste in my mouth.” The irony of the situation is not lost on me. Also, weird doesn't mean bad, necessarily.

  “That's because you're one of the few good guys. There are so many people out there that lie, cheat, steal, and hurt others because they're sick,” Aubrey said angrily.

  “Why do I feel like we've strayed away from Maria?” I asked.

  “Fuck. Sorry, you were saying.”

  “Don't worry about it. I don't think talking about Maria anymore is going to help me. I wouldn't mind the conversation pivot. So talk to me. What's on your mind?”

  “It's Cape stuff. I know you don't care about that kind of thing, so I wasn't gonna bring it up,” she said.

  “I might not be a Neuvohuman superfan like you, but you're my friend, and I'm always interested in hearing what's going on with you. Is it about your team? I thought you were getting along with them.”

  “It's complicated. Okay, I can tell you, but you have to promise not to tell anyone,” Aubrey said seriously.

  “I swear on my soul that I, Eryk Blakely, will not tell anyone whatever you tell me.” Eryk Blakely won't tell anyone. Nobody, on the other hand, almost certainly will.

  “Alright, so there's this girl on my team, Violet. She's headstrong, blunt, and a bit overbearing, but she's great. Anyways, we had a low-stakes mission recently. Phoenix had picked out this small gambling operation for us to break up. It was an underground fighting league that occasionally featured Neuvohumans. But none of the Cowls that hang out there are big threats, so all of us were pretty confident going in. Especially Violet, she's really, really strong, Eryk. Like my power is considered a rank two, but she's like a rank five,” Aubrey said.

  She's talking about Virtue. Hearing what that night looked like from the other side will be very informative.

  “Wow, so she's a big deal?” I asked.

  “What happened to not interrupting people while they’re talking?”

  “Oops. Continue.”

  “Yes, Violet is a very big deal. She's a legacy Cape and fully inherited both of her parents' power sets. Anyway, we arrived, and another one of my teammates used her power to tell everyone to surrender and come out peacefully. All the regular people came out, and the police arrested them. But neither the gang running the place or the Cowls complied, so we sent Violet down to see what was up. She's a tank, like nothing can harm her.” Aubrey takes a minute to breathe before continuing.

  Nothing except Tuesday.

  “She goes down there and lets us know there are tons of dead bodies and that the gang is annihilated. She ended up having to fight six Cowls at the same time and came out unharmed. But then something happened to her. She flew out of the place and was under some kind of illusion or something because she started attacking us. During the commotion, two of the six Cowls escaped. When whatever was affecting her wore off, she just kept talking about the man in the mask. She said he had a featureless black helmet that seemed to absorb all the light hitting it. She called him a criminal mastermind and said he was responsible for everything.”

  How nice of her to say that.

  “And you guys think this mysterious stranger is responsible for her freak out?”

  “No. That's the thing: we talked to the four Cowls we did manage to arrest, and they confirmed that there were two other Cowls who escaped. That’s how we know there were six originally. But the problem is none of them remembered a man in a black helmet. There’s nobody else who saw this guy. She won't let it go, though. She thinks he's out there plotting something again. It's causing friction within the team because everyone is divided on whether this guy is real.”

  “What about you? Are you one of the ones who believe in this boogie man?”

  “No. The place doesn't have any cameras, and we tried asking some of the non-superpowered people in attendance and none of them remembered him either. There were a couple of videos and pictures taken by people, but he didn't show up on any of them. It’s tough because, like, I believe that Violet believes she saw him, but how could he arrive and leave without anyone seeing him?”

  “You’re more of a boogie man agnostic. It all does sound pretty unbelievable,” I remarked.

  Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

  “Hah,” Aubrey said dryly. “If there were even a single piece of evidence, I’d give her the benefit of the doubt.”

  “Still, all of that sounds like the setup to a great thriller mystery movie. A faceless figure operating from the shadows and controlling things,” I said.

  “I'll never understand you and Maria's obsession with spooky movies. That shit just gives me nightmares. But back to Violet, it's tough because we're split right down the middle. Me and one of the guys are in the camp that she imagined him due to whatever Mentalist power affected her. The other two of our teammates believe Violet. It's like a pot that's threatening to boil over,” Aubrey said.

  “You don’t think you’re being a little dramatic? You guys haven’t even known each other for more than a month. Maybe the stress of the job and the heightened emotions of a new group dynamic are causing you to make mountains out of molehills. It could also be that this delusion she has is a trauma response to losing control. You said she’s super strong and tough, right?”

  Aubrey clicks her tongue. “Of course, you have a levelheaded take that makes a lot of sense. Why must you always defeat my hysterics with facts and logic?”

  “Someone needs to reign you in. Just talk to her and let her know she has your support. If this group is so important to you, then work through it. Play mediator and peacemaker,” I said.

  “Thank you for the sage advice, oh Wise One.”

  I press the play button on the center console. I’m done talking. As soon as the rain stops, I need to get started on the garden. I’m not out of the woods yet. If Vivienne and Tuesday were successful, then they should be back either tonight or tomorrow. Less than a week till I move to Quinstin, and then classes start soon after.

  Aubrey drops me off at the 7/11 and drives off. I hop in my truck and drive home in the pouring rain. I dial Daniel’s number and wait for him to pick up.

  “Hello? What’s up, kiddo?”

  “Hey, Dad, not much. I just wanted to call you to check in—well, actually, to talk.” There we go again with the unnecessary honesty.

  “Everything alright, Eryk?”

  “Yes and no. Me and Maria are broken up, for good too.”

  “I’m sorry, son. How are you holding up?” Daniel asked me.

  “I’m actually doing very well. Feels kind of like I’m finally free for the first time in forever,” I answered completely truthfully.

  “I’m happy you’re handling it so well. Is that all you wanted to call me to talk about?”

  “No, actually. I bought some stuff to start growing vegetables at the house. I was wondering if you wanted maybe to help me with it. It could be something we could do together.”

  “Like a father-son veggie garden; sure, I’d love to do that with you, kiddo. We can work on it together until you leave for Quinstin,” Daniel said.

  “I’d really like that. Give me something to look forward to seeing when I come home for breaks—a chance to make something and watch it change over time,” I said.

  It’s a bit cliche, but it should work on him. If he agrees, this could give him a reason not to end it all as soon as I leave. This runs contrary to what we discussed previously about selling the house. Truthfully, Daniel keeping the house doesn’t affect my plans in the slightest. The garden doing well also makes my alibi even stronger.

  “I think that I would enjoy that too. And it could be really good for both of us to focus on the future and put the past behind us,” Daniel said. “It’s raining too much to start today, but maybe tomorrow, when it clears up, we can get started.”

  “Sounds good, Dad.”

  “I love you, Eryk,” Daniel said.

  “I love you too, dad.”

  My Cowl phone vibrates.

  (Vivienne): We’re back. Lot to talk about. You around?

  I am free and at my house. :(Eryk)

  (Vivienne): omw.

  Thirty minutes later, I see Vivienne’s white SUV out front. I put on the usual attire and bring the gun case with my mask inside. I get outside and into the back of the car.

  “You said you had a lot to talk about.”

  “I do. I’ll tell you about it on our way to the base,” Vivienne said, pulling out of my driveway.

  Three out of four isn’t bad, and arguably, they got the three strongest. I fully believe that Tuesday messed up the bombs on purpose. It fits her to a T. Tuesday always needs to test boundaries, and she likely sees V’s rule as a boundary to test. The fallout of two of the board members for Momentus Inc. fighting just as we’re starting is unacceptable. The two of them are both needed for Quinstin. Vivienne more so than Tuesday, but having an assassin who can infiltrate anywhere is also valuable. I have to clamp down on Tuesday and keep Vivienne from finding out the truth.

  “Hey, Nobody, we’re here,” V said.

  I grab my mask and put it on. Vivienne and I hop out, and I grab my gun case. I need V to destroy all evidence linking me to Maria and that dead woman.

  “V. Do me a favor and completely destroy this case and everything in it,” I said, patting it.

  “Sure,” she said, transforming.

  Vivienne takes the case from me and starts crushing the metal box in her hands. The steel groans as she crushes it in her hands. The heat warps the case as it bursts into flames. A bang goes off as the gunpowder activates, but Vivienne keeps it contained. She keeps forcibly condensing the case as it becomes spherical and glows white hot. Any impurities in the metal are burned away until all that is left is a softball-sized white ball. She lifts one leg, mimicking a pitcher’s stance, and launches the superheated cannonball toward the bay, where it will sink to the bottom. She shifts to her human form and smiles.

  “All taken care of,” V said, dusting her hands off.

  “Well done,” I said.

  We walk over to the entrance and get buzzed in. Tuesday and Kai are waiting for us inside. The box truck is parked inside the large open area like last time. Tuesday keeps flinging rubber bands at Kai, and he’s doing his best to ignore her. Don’t let her win. If you show a reaction, she’s won. The base doesn’t have the full crew. Isaiah, Rorschach, and Miles are already in Quinstin, getting things set up.

  “Meals on Wheels: superpowers edition,” Tuesday said, slapping the truck.

  “What’s the status of the prisoners?”

  “They’re all inside and ready for you whenever you want. The basket case just killed the immortal again. I know you’re taking it, but what I wouldn’t give to be able to study it. Think of it: a guinea pig that can’t die. We could do so much,” Kai remarked.

  “The test trials are over for now, Doctor,” I said.

  “Regrettable,” Kai pouted.

  “Hey, uh, is this thing on?” Tuesday asked, tapping her throat.

  “Yes, you buffoon. We’re choosing to ignore your childish wailings, you wretched moron,” Kai yelled.

  She got under his skin.

  “Dearest me, now, whatever could I have done to deserve such a verbal lashing?” Tuesday asked, her voice switching to a pompous older woman.

  “Enough. Both of you quit fuckin’ around,” Vivienne snapped.

  Both of their heads swivel toward my second in command. Vivienne has a domineering look on her face that brooks no trouble. She is still working through what happened at the bunker. At the rate we’re going, maybe getting a company therapist would be wise. I call Vivienne over, and she throws open the back of the truck. Inside are some sorry-looking specimens. Father Forward is maimed, broken, and blinded. General Prior is missing both legs and looks faint. The final prisoner is the immortal, judging by the rapidly closing slit neck. Him first, then.

  I hop into the back of the truck and move toward the Bruiser. He's wrapped up in chains so tightly he can't move an inch. The man is quite large, and my eyes are drawn to the rapidly closing gash on his neck. The dried blood colors his white skin a rusty clay color. Fresh rivulets of red slip out of the wound as it closes completely. Something stirs inside me as I stare at it.

  “Tuesday, come in here,” I called out.

  Tuesday jumps up into the back with me.

  “What'd ya need me for? Want help handling the Neo Not-Zis? Cause they can't do anything. No, that sucked. Gimme a minute,” She said.

  “I need a knife.”

  “Okaaaaaay,” Tuesday said, flicking a knife out of her sleeve and handing it to me.

  I inspect the knife in my hand, feeling the leather grip of the handle and tracing my finger across the side of the blade. These urges are powerful. The knife slips between the Bruiser's ribs without any resistance. She takes good care of her knives. I pull out the weapon and plunge it back in multiple times. The Bruiser wakes up during my stabbing and chuckles as I continue to bleed him.

  “Cute. But nothing you do matters. I am one of God's chosen favorites, and like our father in heaven above, I will always rise again,” he said.

  Blood is pouring out of all the holes I've poked in him. More. I don't stop stabbing until his chest looks like a sponge. It's good I don't have trypophobia. His blood is all over my glove, sleeve, and boots. The truck's floor is drenched and covered by a large pool of red. Control yourself. I hand the weapon back to Tuesday, who's practically purring by this point. I should step out before I lose it again. I walk past Tuesday and jump down.

  “So, doc, you got anything to help keep the earpieces in place when I transform? They fall right out of my ear when I get bigger. And do you have a way to make it fireproof? It's just a pain to have to keep asking for new ones when I lose or melt them,” V said.

  “It’s unfortunate that it doesn't transform as your clothing does. We could try surgery and implant the earpiece, or rather the necessary components of the earpieces, into you,” Kai suggested.

  “I don't know if I'm down with putting machinery inside me. Kinda gives me the heebie-jeebies. Don't you have some Tinkertech that can change shape on the fly and is flame retardant?”

  “I actually have just the thing. I did a trade a few years back with a Tinkerer whose specialty was shape and size-changing technology that was also nonflammable. Why didn't I think of that first? OH YEAH, IT'S BECAUSE THAT'S TOO FUCKING SPECIFIC TO EXIST!”

  “Watch it. You could've just said no. You don't need to be a dickhead,” V said.

  She's being cordial despite Kai’s nasty personality.

  “Kai, your suggestion isn't terrible, but most people find unnecessary invasive surgery a deal breaker. Now, do you actually have any Tinkertech comm devices?” I interjected.

  “I have one, but it isn't really applicable to our current conversation. There was a Bio Tinkerer who specialized in organic machines. I have two of his machines in my collection. They are essentially basic computers, but their size is the problem. They're huge and not as effective as a regular tower that's a quarter of the size,” Kai said.

  “Sorry, did you just say you have living computers?” Vivienne asked.

  “Not living, organic. Like you wouldn't consider paper or a wool sweater to be alive, it's like that. It's more like a PC made of skin.”

  “Jesus. What the fuck?” Vivienne asked.

  “Sounds cute. So they made some sort of Necronomicom-puter. That name is a little too wordy, but I’ll workshop it and get back to you,” Tuesday said.

  It sounds repulsive. I leave the three of them to argue about what constitutes cuteness. Climbing back into the truck, I see the immortal grinning at me. The holes are already almost completely closed.

  “Back so soon? You should've seen by now that you can't hurt me. God gave me the gift of resurrection, and I have nothing to fear,” he said.

  I place the back of my hand against his cheek, activating my power.

  “What are you doing? Don't touch me with your impure hands.”

  “I don't care whether you fear me or not. I am as inevitable as death, even for you,” I said.

  He looks confused but quickly shakes it off.

  “The only inevitable thing is that your soul will be destroyed in the burning lakes of Hell. I have been freed from death, our glorious Father in heaven has seen to that. You conspire with demons, minorities, and godless scum. This is but a test of faith that I will weather and emerge stronger from it,” he said.

  My internal timer is almost up: 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1. His confident look evaporates, and his panic-stricken eyes dart around. He tries to speak but sputters in disbelief.

  “If God gave you your power, then what does that make me?”

  I move on to Father Forward and Franklin Prior next; the two of them are close enough that I can touch both at the same time. The former Bruiser is mumbling and weeping. This is not a test of faith. If God does exist he wouldn't have chosen such directionless weaklings. Originally, I planned to kill and disappear their bodies, but a better idea has just come to me. These will be better used to strengthen the idea that there is more than one vigilante.

  “Tuesday, I have a mission for you.”

  “Oh, I got it. Maaaaan V, you really turned that priest from a Nazi to a Not See,” Tuesday joked. “Get it? Because she blinded him.”

  “That feels incredibly distasteful,” Kai remarked.

  Vivienne snickers while trying to stifle her laughter. All of us turn to look at her.

  “It’s a good pun. I'm a sucker for wordplay,” V said.

  “Anyways. Once you finish the mission, you can meet up with everyone in Quinstin. Take the truck and bring these three to any police station in Rhode Island. I don't care how you kill them, but make it look theatrical and vengeful. Do you remember the phrase to write?”

  Tuesday stops bothering Kai and just looks at me. She is still and quiet. The wide smile peeking out from beneath the bedazzled bunny mask is primal and predatory. She doesn't say anything, and the silence stretches on long enough for Kai to look uncomfortable. Vivienne is watching the assassin like she's a rabid dog. When Tuesday finally responds, she does so without any accents, effects, or exotic dialects.

  “The Law Falters, Justice Does Not.”