Disclaimers and what not: Well I've been tinkering with the plot of this story for months. Between work and family and a dozen other things keeping me away from the lap top, I became stuck with how I would be able to develop and incorporate the character of the superhero. Now that I'm finally finished, I hope you find it an enjoyable read.
Thank you to my beta reader for your support, your faith in me, and your input. It means a lot.
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The guarded figure crouched on one knee at the edge of the rooftop. The city streets below were filled with the cacophony of sirens, automobile horns, taxi drivers yelling obscenities, and dozens of people coming to and fro. The figure watched silently, drinking in what little peace was available on this perch. Peace. Funny word. So many seek it, some will fight for it, and yet so little find it. Stern eyes narrowed on a suspicious character steadily following a woman carrying a white walking cane who had just gotten off the city bus.
The sight-impaired female sensed someone was behind her and had been since 34
th
and Garth Streets. She had one more block to go after crossing the park. That was the shortest way home. If only that meeting at work hadn't gone so late, she would've made it home before dark, but now her choices were to take the longer route around the park or cut through it like she normally did. She held her keys tightly in one hand with the point of each key sticking out from between her fingers like she was taught in self-defense class. The other hand gripped her walking cane firmly. Even the cane was something she learned she could use as a weapon, and she had every intention of doing so.
The sound of a twig snapping on the park grounds caught her attention. The pursuer was closer than she thought. "Would you like some assistance across the park? There are a lot of suspicious people lurking about." She heard the gravelly masculine voice say just behind her. A wave of panic swept through her making her knuckles turn white on the keys. The glint of a knife was caught by eyes hiding in the shadows. Before she could answer, she felt a sudden wind brush past her face, and then heard the unknown pursuer cry out in pain. "Aaaahh!" A crack and a thump followed, and then silence except for the normal city noises. She couldn't help but stop, wondering what just happened. Turning around, she cocked her head, listening. Nothing.
"Gabrielle?" The redhead spun back around when she heard her name called. She immediately felt the familiar person quickly approach. "Oh my god, Gabby, what took you so long? I've been worried. It's two hours past your usual arrival at home." Her older sister came rushing up to her with a strong embrace. "Honey, did something happen? Are you okay? Why are you just standing here?"
"I'm fine." Gabrielle let out the breath she didn't realize she was holding. "There was an unexpected meeting at the end of work. I should've called you, but I wasn't thinking."
"Well, let's go home. Dinner is ready. I'm so relieved you're alright."
"Lyra?" the redhead started as she loosened the grips on her keys and cane. "Is there anyone around us? Perhaps....lying on the ground?"
The older woman looked around and then back at her sister. "No. I don't see anyone. Why?"
"I'll tell you about it when we get home. Come on. I'm starved."
Lyra chuckled. "You always are."
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Kaden set the marker down and leaned back in the cushioned black leather office chair. She looked over the colorful scenes one more time. She smiled, liking how the superhero mysteriously took out the woman's attacker before he had a chance to strike. Yawning once again, she felt proud with how this next issue of Tempest was playing out so far. Tired eyes scanned the last frame before shutting off the desk lamp for the night. The latest issue of the comic superhero was already on the shelves, and she was fervently working on the continued storyline in order to stay ahead. The digital atomic clock on the wall vividly displayed 11:04pm in teal blue characters right next to the very first poster; and the newest poster of Tempest herself. Kaden yawned as she walked out of her office. Another late night, and she needed to be at work early to receive her new scheduled route. Bare feet padded into the kitchen. Opening the refrigerator, she grabbed the carton of goat milk and proceeded to chug the remainder of it. She fingered the Tempest magnet on the fridge door and smiled. It was surrounded by a plethora of other heroines and masked figures. Fifteen years had come and gone quickly for the masked crusader since she first hit the shelves of comic book shops across the nation. Kaden remembered she was only sixteen when she first started developing this character, and it took three years to finally get recognized. The major publishing companies, at the time, didn't think Tempest was sexy enough to appeal to teenage boys or male comic fans in general. It was so disappointing, but deep down she knew that's not who Tempest was for. Tempest was meant for all children who needed a superhero in their lives ---- who needed someone to believe in; and Tempest was meant for women of all ages who needed courage, strength, and the understanding to stand up for themselves. Since its publication, Kaden has forever been grateful to the small company that saw the potential Tempest had to reach so many that needed her.
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The clock was about to strike 10am when the sign in the window flipped to "OPEN." Jess unlocked the door and took a deep breath as she looked out the large store front windows. The place had been closed for a couple of weeks since her uncle's passing. Uncle Ted and Jessica had been close during her grade school years when she lived in this town, and while she was in college, but she had never thought her favorite uncle would bestow his business to her. It was a surprise when she received a copy of the Will along with a letter from the attorney.
Now Jess owned the comic book shop, and she looked forward to this new avenue in her life. It was in this very storefront where she was first introduced to her favorite character. She walked down the right aisle and stopped in front of the rack displaying the superhero she grew to love. Picking up an issue, she couldn't resist the smile that formed on her lips as she remembered the number of times Uncle Ted brought her with him.
"Is it here? Is it, Uncle Teddy?"
The big bear of a man chuckled. With a gleam in his sea green eyes, and a scratch of his scruffy brown beard, he pointed to the rack that held the new issue his niece had been waiting for.
Thirteen year old Jessica squealed with delight as she grabbed the magazine and held it to her chest. "This is the best!" She looked at the cover with glee. The character stood out wearing black leather pants tucked into black calf length Infinity Gore-Tex motorcycle touring boots. A matching black leather vest was zipped over a royal blue long sleeve shirt. A black leather gauntlet gloved hand rose high above the head of raven hair pulled back into a traditional chomage (Samurai topknot). The open hand drew down the lightning from the storm swirling in the sky, and then shot out that same bolt of lightning through the other hand at its intended target. Eyes that were never seen hid behind black and silver goggles with polycarbonate blue mirror lens. This was Tempest, her favorite hero amongst the very small handful she enjoyed.
"I will let you pick out three issues to take home. I just need your help first with cleaning out the storage room, okay?" He said in a deep baritone voice.
"Sure thing! But please let me pick out the issues now. Please?!"
He chuckled again. "Alright Squirt, you go ahead."
"Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!" Jessica sang, sprinting down the aisles to find the other two comic books that she already knew she had to have.
Jess smiled again as the memories floated by. As she placed the magazine back, she caught her reflection in the store front window. Absently her fingers brushed across the jagged scar along the left side of her face that ran from the temple to her jaw line.
You have a different life now. Let go of the past.
