Miles looks like he's ready to tear up any minute. The raw, undisguised happiness on his face reminds me of Marcus. I may have adopted another golden retriever without knowing it. His eyes contain a hint of something I see in Isaiah: fanaticism. I shouldn't be surprised. I cured him of the living coffin he called a body that he was waiting to die in. Offering him a found family and a promise of revenge tipped the scales, making him even more grateful. To then be told he can have the one thing he always wanted must seem surreal. With the power I'm granting him, having him be so indebted to me will only guarantee his loyalty. It better; this is quite the investment.

  “You're serious? Nobody, I don't know what to say,” Miles stuttered out.

  “I'd settle for a ‘yes, I'm interested,’” I said.

  “Y, y, yes. Of course, I'm interested. What kid doesn’t dream of growing up to be a hero?” Miles asked.

  He stares at me, then Vivienne, and then back at me.

  “I’m guessing neither of you did.”

  “I don’t dream,” I answered.

  “Nah, never gave much thought to it. I like fighting too much, and the Union tends to look down on beating the absolute shit out of people,” V said.

  “Miles, you are going to be the truest definition of a hero. One whose light will dwarf every other Cape in this city,” I said.

  “I won’t let your faith in me go to waste. I’ll expose how weak and corrupt the entire Union is,” he swore.

  “Then take my hand,” I said.

  The transfer of the two abilities goes smoothly, and I lose another two pieces. Envy and a flair for drama and theatrics aren’t much of a loss. Miles stands up and laughs as the dam holding his tears back breaks. What an extreme change of fortune to experience over just a few months. Instantly elevated into the top ten strongest Neuvohumans in Quinstin, and all thanks to me. Miles, you will become a beacon of hope for this city. And when your real identity accidentally leaks, it will only serve to make Momentus even more influential.

  “Wow. You weren't kidding. I feel powerful, so powerful. Is this what you feel like all the time, V?” Miles asked.

  “If you mean overwhelmingly strong and like I could take on anyone or anything, then yes. Once you get used to those powers, we're going to fight. That priest guy was strong as shit, and I’d love to see what you can come up with,” she said.

  “There truly is no ceiling except your own creativity, Miles. I trust you to shine,” I said.

  “I will work harder than anyone; I want this. I need this,” Miles said intensely.

  “I know you will. Miles, the thought that you would let me down has never entered my mind. I believe in you.”

  “Thank you. I’ll show all of them what a real hero is meant to be. I’ll make you proud,” Miles said, his voice full of conviction.

  “Alright, you're free to go,” I said.

  Miles stands up and looks at one of the recessed lights, holding his index finger out. The recessed light flickers before the light starts to swirl down to his finger, forming a glowing orb. Little sparks of electricity come from the now-dark bulb and arc down into his chest. Already, he’s using both abilities. He will be my hidden ace, a lethal knife poised to stab the Heroes’ Union once they’re at their lowest. If Rorschach is correct and Isaiah and Tuesday can make contact, then we can finally begin our plans in Quinstin.

  “I’m surprised you’re making him a Cape. I’m sure this is part of some plan, though,” Vivienne said once Miles had left.

  “There is a very delicate balance between the city’s Cape and Cowl population. Adding an unaffiliated Cape, one who embodies all that the title implies, will upset that balance. And while he’s cleaning up the other Cowl groups and showing up the Capes, they’ll be too busy to stop me. The greater the light, the deeper the shadow,” I said.

  “Ahh, gotcha. So, when’s that party you told me about?”

  I take a look at my phone and realize it’s already nine forty-five. Whoops, it looks like I missed Violet’s pregame party. Parties haven’t gotten any easier since starting college. If anything, they’ve become more inconvenient. They’re bigger, louder, and more brash.

  “We should head over now; I lost track of time,” I said.

  “Tsk tsk. Absolutely unacceptable. What kind of controlling mastermind loses track of time? This is going to come up on your peer review,” Vivienne joked.

  Balancing Nobody’s organization, Eryk’s social and academic responsibilities, the looming threat of Technologica, and my burgeoning cult of chaos might end up being too much for my plate. I need to find a solution soon. Carelessness leads to mistakes, and mistakes can mean death in this line of work.

  “What can I say? Nobody’s perfect,” I responded.

  “Was that a pun? Wow, we are rubbing off on you.”

  There is an ever-present shallowness to our interactions. Ever since giving Zero her powers, I’m back to square one with my relationships. Giving those two powers to Miles has depleted my pieces even further. I’m down to six powers and six personality pieces. Half of them aren’t things I want—an addictive personality, joy, aggression, pride, compassion, and voyeuristic urges. I’m sorely due for a new one. If there were a way to take Aubrey’s team out quietly, I could gain five. But that just isn’t possible. Not yet, anyway.

  “No comment. Let’s get out of here. People are expecting me, and I don’t have time to change. I’m sure I’m going to start getting calls and texts any minute now.”

  “You sure you don’t want to change? You’re not exactly dressed like yourself,” Vivienne said.

  The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.

  “It’ll be fine.”

  I hide my mask and Cowl phone inside Vivienne’s center console, and she locks it. The Delta Sigma house only has a few cars parked outside the metal gate of the property. The two of us get out of her SUV, and immediately, I can hear raucous cheers and music. Vivienne truly looks nothing like she used to. Whatever trip she went on with Isaiah must have been a transformative experience. She’s more confident while still retaining her intimidating edge.

  “Did you send the location to your Skullgirl?”

  “Yeah, she’ll be here soon. Are we heading in or waiting for your friends?” She asked, putting unnecessary emphasis on the word friends.

  “They’re definitely already here,” I said, sensing Aubrey’s power.

  People are dancing and drinking beer bottles, cans, and red Solo cups in abundance all around us. A curved U-shaped driveway surrounds a large fountain. Everywhere I look are polos, shorts, and backward hats. I don’t see any of my friends, so we navigate past the groups of people hanging outside the house. The Delta Sigma house is a two-story Greek-style mansion, complete with white marble pillars and a set of extended white steps leading up to the entrance. This party is huge, and it’s only been going for an hour and a half. I’m reminded of the last party I went to and how that went. Where would I be if Davis hadn’t decided to murder everyone? I’d still be here, but so would Maria. The thought of my ex-girlfriend decomposing in the woods brings a smile to my face. We walk up the steps into a large foyer, complete with a curved staircase leading upstairs. I see plenty of people drinking, but there aren’t any kegs or coolers in sight.

  “Look at you having fun. I’m going to go grab a drink. You want one?” Vivienne asked.

  “Sure.”

  Vivienne walks away in search of beer, and I look for a spot off to the side to wait. There’s a group of eleven people huddled around a large foldout table playing beer pong. I go around them to lean against the wall and watch the game. The two teams are made up of guy-girl pairs. One of the pairs keeps taking breaks to make out during their opponent’s turns. A part of me, belonging to the late Jeremy Swaim, can’t take my eyes off of them—the remnants of a sick sexual deviant. I have removed a lot of people from the world, but very few committed crimes worse than having something I wanted. Jeremy was a stain, and the world is better without him.

  Vivienne startles me out of my daze and offers me a bottle. I don’t bother looking at the brand; it all tastes pretty similar to me. A beer aficionado I am not. I start sipping at it, using Vivienne to pull my attention away from the couple. I need to get rid of this piece soon.

  “Ready to go find them?” She asked.

  “Mhmm.”

  I lead the way as we make our way through multiple living rooms full of people dancing and hanging out. The smell of weed in the air gets stronger as we walk through thick clouds from vapes, bongs, and blunts. We go down a cramped hallway filled with drunk college students, following my power sense, which tells me where Aubrey is. A girl is against the wall, kissing a guy and taking up more space than they need. I try to slip by them, but that’s the exact moment he breaks away from her for air. He bumps me into the wall, making me drop my bottle onto the ground while he sways drunkenly. The beer splashes onto my pant leg. Parties are already not something I enjoy, but this awakens Punch’s aggression within me.

  “Fucking watch it dickhead,” I barked at him.

  “Whaddid I do?” He slurred.

  His question only makes things worse.

  “You bumped into me and made me drop my fucking beer,” I spat venomously.

  “Relats, man, was an assident,” he replied, putting his hand on my shoulder.

  I react hastily and smack his hand away. Then I shove him into the wall, causing his girlfriend to dodge out of the way. The music drowns out the sound of our voices, but I can feel eyes on me, and I quickly continue out of the hallway. Damn it. I’ve been here less than ten minutes, and two of the pieces have caused me problems. Vivienne doesn’t say anything, but I bet she wants to ask.

  “What a douche-canoe. He could’ve at least apologized,” she said.

  I’m surprised she didn’t tell me I overreacted. She’s being a good friend, taking my side even though I was in the wrong. Knowing what I’m missing and what it felt like actually to be friends with someone makes the emptiness inside me more obvious.

  “Right? Their texts said they should be up in the game room. You’ll get to meet them finally.”

  We go through an open doorway, take a left, and enter the game room. Several strobe lights are illuminating the room, coloring it with a multitude of flashing hues. Air hockey tables, pinball machines, and one of those VR golf games are being played all over the room. Every setup has multiple people at it, either playing or waiting to play, and there are drinks everywhere. I spot my friend group at one of the air hockey tables, Violet facing off against Doug, and if Doug’s face is any indication, Violet is winning.

  Douglas Apper, AKA Adversary, is handsome in the way Isaiah is. Both guys look like movie stars and dress to impress. That’s how he got his nickname: Dapper. Doug’s low taper cut showcases his gold studs and deep black hair, full of product. He’s got a grey tee on that shows off his left arm sleeve, tucked into black acid-washed jeans and brown boots. Sydney Dwyer, AKA Zephyr, is the exact opposite of him. She’s wearing a rough brown sweater with thumbholes chewed into it, underneath her green overalls, and shoes so worn that you can’t even guess what color they used to be. Her long, brown hair is curly, and she makes no effort to tame it. Her large-rimmed glasses sit on her small nose, making her face look even more mousey. Sydney is a crunchy granola cottage core lesbian and, like Doug, one of the two sophomores of our group. She’s quiet by nature, and if I were capable of liking people, she would probably be my favorite in the group. She minds her business and isn’t curious. Two qualities that most people sorely lack.

  Watching from the sidelines are the last two members of our friend group: Aubrey and Raphael. The two of them are side by side, each one too nervous to finally pull the trigger. All of us are waiting for the two of them to confess to each other. Raphael Mendez, AKA Ward, AKA Raf, is on the shorter side. He’s as tall as Aubrey and acts as meek as his height insinuates. He’s got a red QUTD hoodie on, cargo shorts, and some Nike slip-ons. Perpetually unconfident, it’s a wonder how he ended up being a Cape in training. Aubrey’s wearing a black techwear skirt with zippers up the sides and suspender buckles. One of the suspenders is loose, hanging to one side, while the other goes over her left shoulder, resting on top of her black blouse, which is covered in green spiderweb patterns. The blouse goes all the way up her neck with an oversized zipper. Because of the scarring Lee Daeshim left on her, she only wears clothes that cover her chest and neck. She is still fashionable, but she hides the scars completely. He really did a number on her.

  V and I walk over until Violet spins around to see us. She sees me and smiles, but her smile drops when she sees Vivienne. Everyone else follows Violet’s eyes, and they all look excited to see me. Aubrey looks at Vivienne funny, likely trying to guess who she is. Aubrey has been trying to set up Violet and me for months, so this probably looks like she’s failed.

  “Is the pretty one who looks like she’s going to kill me for being next to you who I think it is?”

  “Yes. That is exactly who you think it is,” I said, talking through my smile at my friends.

  “Eryk,” they shouted at me over the bumping bass.

  “Hey guys, sorry I’m late. I got caught up doing something,” I said.

  “Caught up doing what?” Doug asked, staring at Vivienne.

  “It’s not important. What is, is that I’m sorry for being late.”

  “I know. I’m just busting your balls. It’s no problem,” Doug said.

  “It’s expected at this point,” Sydney laughed.

  “Aren’t you going to introduce us to your friend?” Aubrey asked.

  “Sorry. This is Vivienne. She’s the one I’ve been training with at the gym,” I said.

  Violet’s smile is back at my mention of the word friend. That doesn’t mean I’m interested in getting shackled to another woman again.

  Current Powers/Personality Pieces Nobody has:

  1. Alter ability to choose where your center of gravity is/ Addictive personality (Froggy)

  2. Manipulator ability to create up to three orbs of sound that can absorb all sound within and then be released all at once at a later time/ Joy (Murmur)

  3. Mentalist/Alter ability to see trajectories of moving objects and can make themselves and other nonliving things bouncy in a way that defies physics/ Pride (Tramp)

  4. Traveller ability to pull objects to themselves, pull themselves to objects, and swap themselves or objects through tunnels in reality/ Compassion (Callback)

  5. Caster ability to create short-range kinetic beams from their extremities/ Aggression (Punch)

  6. Traveller/Alter/Manipulator ability to separate their body into sections, dissolve said sections, clone pieces of their body, and rematerialize them anywhere in sight/ Increased libido and voyeuristic tendencies (Jeremy Swaim)