His words keep resonating in my head. I can feel the love He has for me. To be trusted with such a holy mission fills my body with warmth. The rest of our trip passed by quickly, but we kept running into judgmental nonbelievers and facing the ignorance of the uninformed. We're pulling into the Casper, Wyoming, station, and both of us are filled with energy. With the decreased speed of the Quickrail, I’m able actually to see out the window. I don't see any cops or Capes, but I need to be careful. Nothing can get in the way of my mission.
“You ready, sweetie?”
“Yeah! Is it adventure time?” Melanie asked.
“Yes, it is.”
“Yay. We can be spies,” she giggled.
“Exactly. And spies are sneaky, so we have to be quiet. Now, hold my hand and don't wander.”
We walk into the next car and past the twelve people missing their eyes with bloody crosses on their foreheads. Thankfully, all of them survived the procedure. The point of punishment and atoning for their actions requires them to be alive to see the error of their ways truly. I was forced to repeat the punishment on every single Quickrail. The good news is that I did get better at it as time went on. I continue to pump my drug into Melanie's body, and it keeps her happy, obedient, and well-behaved.
The station is huge, with a rounded brick ceiling and stone floors. Rows of metal chairs for people to sit on, along with tables near the cafe offer plenty of space to relax while they wait. The building is a hub of activity and noise as people walk and talk to get to their next Quickrail. The sounds from all the commotion and the lights are starting to give me a headache. The first thing I need is information, and there's no better place to start than the visitor's kiosk. The closest kiosk has four sides, and each one has a touchscreen display to work it. The line for each is four people deep, and I don't want to waste any time. I walk past four people, brushing my free hand against each of them to infect them with my drug. There's an older man slowly tapping the screen, and I lightly tap his wrist, transferring the headache to him. He stumbles on his feet, and I nudge him out of the way.
“Excuse me,” I said.
He looks like he's about to say something, but there's a look in his eyes that tells me he's placated. My powers shouldn’t work that way. From the knowledge God granted me, the drug shouldn’t be able to make people follow my commands. Not that I am complaining; I would never question His foresight. It also explains why Melanie hasn't freaked out after I murdered her parents in front of her. Or she’s an unstable psychopath in the making.
I start searching, looking up first where the BNA headquarters of this city is located. Seems like it's located right in the center of Casper, a fortified castle shaped like a skyscraper. There aren’t any building plans or blueprints available online. I’m not surprised; it is a worldwide organization. Prisoners are probably kept beneath ground level. Several news articles show me that not only are the BNA beloved in the city, but they have a lot of resources at their disposal. They have armored transport vehicles with manned guns on the top, attack helicopters with heat-seeking rockets, and several Neuvohuman troops, as well as their regular soldiers. The urge to just storm the base is strong, but I quiet it. He has elevated me. I can't afford to let Him down or tarnish His name. Everything I do is a reflection of Him; everything I do is for Him.
A softer approach is needed. My first mission won't be as quick as I'd like, but it will be completed, no matter how long it takes. My pilgrimage will most likely take me years, but I have a rough idea of where to start. I search for a list of Casper's Capes and Cowls. My mission might not involve them, but being unprepared is asking for trouble. Getting overconfident now will only lead to mistakes. There isn't a Heroes' Union base in this city, but there are around six unaffiliated Capes. The Cowl population isn't very large, either. There is a single group of three Cowls and only a few others who lead small-time gangs. It does make sense for the Neuvohuman population to be small; Wyoming doesn't have the kind of problems that lead to mass triggering. The crime rate is low, proper programs to help the homeless, and multiple outreach groups to help at-risk youths.
“Ms. Zero, can we get some food? I'm hungry,” Melanie said, rubbing her stomach over her little dress.
“Yes, we can. But first, we have to find somewhere to stay while we're here. Be a good girl, and we can get ice cream after dinner,” I said.
“Yay, ice cream,” she squealed in joy.
I pull up the BNA’s address on Google, taking a look at the street it's on. A benefit of their headquarters being a highrise building is that other skyscrapers surround it. There, that's what I need. Heathcliff Heights is a condominium tower for the wealthier people who can afford to live in the center of the city. It's perfect for what we need. Located on the same street as the BNA base, it's far enough not to draw attention if we're watching them, but it's close enough that I can keep an eye on the entrance to the building at all times. I’m sure I can find someone to host us.
“I found us a place to stay. A friend of mine lives nearby and they offered to let us stay with them. What kind of food do you want?”
“Cheeseburgers, and I want curly fries, too. Mommy and Daddy never let me have curly fries,” Melanie said.
“Oooh. That sounds absolutely delicious. Let's go ask someone where the best cheeseburgers are. I’m sure we can find a helpful worker who lives here and knows,” I said, offering my hand again.
Melanie grasps it tight, and we head to one of the ticket booths. They’re set up like a larger version of the ones you see at the more classic movie theaters. Her hand is so small compared to mine. I never had children; my life was too chaotic in the past. Thank you, Lord. Something came over me when I saw the little girl. Some maternal instincts I believed were gone awakened when we met on the Quickrail. I will do everything I can to protect and care for her as long as she doesn't interfere with His goal.
You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.
A bored teenage girl with her purple hair up in a bun is behind the glass. She's scrolling on her phone, chewing gum, and ignoring me. I knock politely on the desk, and she doesn’t even look up. Knocking louder doesn’t do anything, and she doesn’t respond until I hit the glass between us. I will not let some brat’s attitude delay me.
“What?” She asked with an irritated tone.
“Hi, my daughter and I aren’t from around here, and we’re wondering where the best place to get a good cheeseburger is, preferably one that offers curly fries,” I said, trying to be friendly.
“Uggh. I don’t know, Burger King?” She snarked.
Heretic. Blasphemer. Bitch.
“Can you close your eyes for one second, Melanie?” I asked, letting go of her hand.
I pick up one of the pens they have sitting in a little cup and jab it into my throat as hard as I can. The pain is nothing to me; the struggle to breathe is nothing to me. Compared to the crucible of my rebirth, this is a paper cut. A quick twist and tug gets the pen out. Blood pours out from the hole, and rivers of red trickle down my neck and into my clothes. I reach under the glass partition and grab the girl’s arm, transferring the damage onto her. She screams a gurgling, muted cry, dropping her phone and falling out of her seat. The girl clutches her throat as she tries to hold the blood back. She’s struggling to breathe while the blood continues to pour from the wound.
“Wow,” Melanie said, eyes peeking through her fingers.
She doesn’t look shocked or even scared. She didn’t react when I killed both of her parents. As soon as I activated my power she calmed down immediately. Is it another side effect of the drug? Is it affecting her differently because she’s a child? It could have something to do with her developing brain. The next time He talks to me, I’ll bring it up to Him. I crouch down next to her, smoothing out her hair before I notice my hands have blood on them. Taking some hand sanitizer from the automatic dispenser, I clean off my hands and throat. Unfortunately, my shirt is already stained.
“I guess we’re going to have to find out where the best cheeseburger is on our own. I’m going to need your help to spot any potential places. Together, the two of us will find it.”
Melanie holds her fists up to her eyes like they’re a pair of binoculars, and my heart melts. She’s so freaking cute.
“I’ll find us the curly fries, Miss Zero.”
We walk over to a gift shop, and I grab a brown hoodie that says "Casper" across the back. It’s ugly, but it will do. I put it on over my bloody shirt and take the tag off it. The gift shop cashier takes the tag and scans it. I rifle through my pockets for some of the cash the other passengers donated and put two twenties on the counter.
“Is that all?” He asked.
“Look at my cool hat,” Melanie said, wearing a black snapback too big for her head.
“I’ll take the hat, too,” I answered, adding another twenty to the stack.
The two of us exit the station, hand in hand, wearing our new purchases. The weather is much different here than in Crimton. There’s a breeze, but it isn’t the brisk chill from the ocean that I’m used to. Neither of us has ever been here, so I pick a random direction and start walking. We pass people on the sidewalks, and unlike the Quickrail, no one stares at us. We probably just look like a couple of tourists with our overpriced gift shop slop. We walk straight for half a mile until I see an old-fashioned diner called Dolly’s. It looks like it’s made of two mobile homes glued together and painted to look like chrome.
“I bet they have cheeseburgers,” I said excitedly.
“Cheeseburgers! Adventure! Curly fries!” Melanie responded.
We head through the glass door, a bell dinging as we enter. Red plush leather seated booths, a high top full of senior citizens drinking black coffee with toast, a lone waitress rushing around serving everyone with a striped tied apron, and a single TV in the corner playing the news. It’s a classic style of diner that looks like it was ripped from the fifties—the original ones.
“Take a seat anywhere you want, Hon. I’ll be over with menus and coffee in a second,” the waitress yelled.
We both slide into one side of a booth. Melanie is vibrating with energy and excitement. I put my arm around her, pumping more of my drug into her. It’ll keep her happy, and children deserve to be happy. The waitress comes over with two menus, a mug for me, some crayons, and a coloring mat for Melanie. What a good person. The world needs people like her. She fills my cup with coffee and slides me some cream cups. Melanie starts coloring, drawing shapes on the mat.
“How are ya doing today? Can I get ya started with drinks?” She asked.
“I'm fine with coffee,” I said.
“And what would you like, little lady?”
“Apple juice,” Melanie said.
“Please,” I added.
“Apple juice, please,” Melanie repeated, apologetically.
The waitress nods and leaves us some time to look over the menu. Immediately, I see that our quest for cheeseburgers has ended. Smashed burgers are on the menu, and they even have curly fries for an extra fifty cents. Melanie's little hand points at the menu, dragging it down as she searches for her prize. I don't spoil the surprise, and when she gets to the lunch menu, she smiles with her slightly crooked teeth. She'll need braces someday.
“YAY! Miss Zero, they have cheeseburgers and curly fries.”
“What? Really?” I gasp. “You're right, sweetheart,” I said, feigning surprise.
When the waitress comes back to take our orders, I notice Melanie’s drawing. Besides a bunch of squiggly lines and shapes, there are drawings of people. The problem is that all of the people are missing their eyes, with red crayon around the empty holes and a cross on their heads. I flip over her mat before the waitress can see it. There’s no telling how the woman might react. If she freaks out, it could spoil the meal for Melanie. This mission requires secrecy, at least for the time being. But soon, I will take the first step toward fixing the problem. Throughout my short travel it’s already become apparent to me how sick the world is. It's only fitting for the strong to dominate the weak. Weakness is a sin. But through great struggles, the courageous can become champions, and the cattle will be culled until we have destroyed the evil that has rooted its way into the world, and He will be satisfied.
Zero’s Powers/Personality Pieces
- Create a shield on herself or others via touch that can absorb exactly one attack/ Longing for a family. (General Prior)
- Shift injuries/diseases/infections/damage to other people via touch/ Compulsive urge to be honest. (Offset)
- Materialize a potent and addictive drug within someone that generates euphoric feelings in the person/ Impulsiveness (Curtis)
- When someone thinks of harming her, they will experience intense emotional manipulation that stops them from harming her and makes the person feel affection for her/ Anna Lee (Affection)
Zero is a fun character because her part in Volume Two and Volume Three was decided and storyboarded before Isaiah was even a character, lol.