Writing Prompt

Pain exploded through Violet’s body like shrapnel. She hit the concrete hard, almost peeling off the wall and falling like a ragdoll to the ground. Her vision blurred and her head dropped backwards as every part of her body burned like it was caught in the flames that surrounded her. She painfully pressed herself flat against the concrete, hoping that the thick smoke would obscure her.  ‘Little one’, a voice seemingly pitched on a note lower than the Western scale rang out amongst the crackling flames, ‘I find myself hoping you live so that we can continue to play’, a haunting chuckle followed. 

Violet trembled as she watched through blurred vision the huge man who had thrown her against the wall take a step towards her location, silently thanking anyone listening as he took a step back, fighting off the flames that had become the enemy of the both of them. She shut her eyes, her heart pounding through her chest when he sharply turned towards her position, as if sensing her relief. The earth shook a dozen times sending dust into her already smoke-clouded throat and she painfully opened her eyes to see that the huge man had disappeared, the fire soaring higher than the forklift it enveloped. A new, primal desperation to survive unlocked within her, adrenaline coursing as she slowly lifted herself from the ground and began to hastily limp away from the fire and into the open streets, biting her lip to distract from the pain of the rest of her body. 

‘Fuck!’ she cursed and sprang back as a pole of burning timber crashed down sending orange sparks exploding into her, burning little holes in her hero suit, which will cost a fortune to repair—she desperately needed to upgrade to a fireproof one. The fallen timber on the other hand drew her eyes to the exit, a small gap in the fence which she quickly side-stepped through. Upon catching sight of the all too familiar red and blue of police lights and a red-jacketed fireman racing towards the blaze some 50 metres away from her, she gently shrouded herself in invisibility, manipulating the light to pass right through her so no one would ask any questions. She slipped away from the scene, lungs burning, grimacing as pain seared through her entire body every step, stumbling as her concentration focused on her invisibilty. 

She had no clue where she was going, the night had closed in on her and her feet began walking an automatic path which she could not object to in her state. Only one house still had its light on through the window, and she collapsed fully visible, pressing onto its familiar black doorbell with all the strength she had left. Hesitant footsteps made their way to the door and a soft, dark-haired figure opened it with a question that Violet couldn’t hear.  ‘Liana’, Violet choked out, more the memory of the name rather than a conscious calling.  The woman shot like an animal to her side, a noise that Violet deemed was a mixture of a sob and a shriek let itself out of the woman as Violet felt her arms cradle around her. The woman was crying and speaking so quickly and jaggedly that Violet couldn’t understand, the pain was like a sea of red flooding her body and vision, and waves of tiredness lapped at her shore. Strong hands caught her falling head, and in the back of her mind she caught the words ‘please don’t die’, from the woman’s lips. The sound held a wave of peacefullness to it, and Violet felt completely at ease, her battered body resting in the woman’s arms.

She opened her eyes—she hadn’t even realised she had closed them and was met with the bright overhead-lit view of Liana’s living room and the soft leather of her couch. Blood—her blood was coating Liana’s hand as she hovered her fingers over Violet’s arms as if at any second she was going to shatter like a porcelain doll. In a sprint of energy, her consciousness came back to her enough to assess the situation.  She gritted her teeth and shakily raised her fingers to lightly touch Liana’s waist, ‘Liana, you can’t tell anyone’. ‘Violet! What the fuck!? I can’t tell any—you’re fucking dying!’ Liana leaned over Violet and carefully brushed her sweat-drenched bangs aside, cradling her head. ‘I’m not dying, I’m ok. Trust me I’ve probably been through worse’, a faint grin spread across Violet’s face, ‘it’s better than it looks ay?’  Liana half laughed half cried, ‘Yeah? Well, it’s not looking too good I’m afraid’. Violet studied Liana, her tightly curled hair had specks of oily blood transferred from her hands and dark circles rested under her eyes yet her expression held the most warmth and love that could ever be conveyed through the muscles of the human face.  ‘Liana, fuck—I’m so sorry. It wasn’t meant to be like this I was gonna tell you eventually I just didn’t want you to worry or worse get dragged into all this and this is such a shitty way of finding out I just didn’t know where else to go and—’ ‘Violet! Violet stop. I don’t care’, Liana’s hands shook as she breathed slowly and Violet covered them with her own, ‘ I don’t care who you are what the media calls you or what supervillain you were just fighting—I don’t fucking care ok? I just care if you are ok. Like if I come home from work and I get a call that you’ve fucking died or you’re in a coma which is honestly worse—I couldn’t—I just couldn’t do it ok?’  ‘And I know that you will never stop fighting, and I’ve accepted that, barely, but just—please don’t be ashamed to ask for help even just from me. And for the love of God be careful!’  Liana watched as Violet processed her words.  ‘I will, I won’t promise but I will—wait you knew I was Lightbreaker?’  ‘I know you. And yes I figured it out, I’m quite proud of that actually’. She held her chin up and grinned, breaking out into another choked laugh.

El súper héroe llega repentinamente mente a la escena a recatar el amor de su vida, ella no tenía idea de que “Erick” era Hamlet bault el super heroe. El tenía tiempo pensando en qué manera podía decirle que él es el famoso super heroe. Por qué no quería que ella sienta que él le mintió todo este tiempo. Pero la única opción her ser completamente transparente con ella y honesto. Erick llegó la salvó y en un callejón que vacío se quitó la máscara y le contó su gran secreto

In a dim dark room, we see a young man sitting chair and having his hands on his head, it looks like he is thinking about something important, then the room becomes bright and a voice comes from the door, "Babe why are you always making the room dark, it kinda creeps me" the man who was sitting now called Alen, get up on the chair and go to the door where the voice comes, it was a girl she had long green hair and was wearing big glasses and sleeping clothes and had two books on her hand, and then the man hugged her, and said, "I tell you many times, I just love the dark, I'm superhero you know." The girl looked at him and shook her head." still delusional aren't you babe, I advise you to stop reading so many novels" Alen laughed and changed the topic, "So what are you doing with those big books are you again studying those science, professors" he said teasingly and the girl looks at him in the eyes with annoying and pass him and lay down on the bed and opened her book, and then alen said, "Alright babe I'm going I'm saving people" the girl look at him in disbelief and said "whatever I think I will need you to go and see a therapist" and Alen said, "oh, come one don't be too harsh".

The fire burned closer. Mia clutched Rily’s hand as they ran through the smoke and ash coughing. Her skin stung for the embers that floted around them, the smell of the smoke choaking her and the heat burning her throat. Tears tried to form in her eyes but the dry air caused them to sting. “We can’t get out!” Rily cried, suddenly stopping pulling Mia to a halt amid the flames. She clutched at her sister’s arm choaking and sobbing. “Yes we can!” Mia said trying to pull her sister back into motion. "come on, we have to keep going!” “No! I can’t! We’re dead Mia, it’s too hot it’s killing us.” she colapsed to the ground in a fit of coughing. Mia turned trying to find of a way out, trying to make sense of this situation. Nothing, they wouldn’t survive this. How had this gone wrong so fast. Had it really only been two hours ago that her and her sister had been laughing and joking together. Mia regarded her sister. There was one sure way that they could get out of this. One way that would surly save them, but would change their lives forever. Mia gritted her teeth spinning, desperating trying to find another solution. Her whole life she had lied to her family ever since the day she had been chosen by her master. SInce that day she had sworn she would never tell a living being about her ablitities or about the league of heroes that worked day and night trying to keep the world safe. If she told her sister, if she saved them, they would have to leave. She would have to bring her sister and hide her either recruiting her by finding her a master of her own, or never allowing her any outside contact outside of the league’s hideout. She thought of her life, her friends, her family, her hopes for her career as a normal citizen living a half normal life. She looked down at Rily. Her sister shook on the ground, the smoke suffocating her. She set her jaw. She had no choice. Mia called upon her abilities and she burst alight with power. Her pain and exhasution vanished and strength flooded her body. All the dizziness she hadn’t even realized she was feeling washed away in a wave of clarity. Electric energy shot through her entire body causing her to want to move, jump, exploded into to motion. She gripped Rily tightly and lifted her onto her shoulder. She started running, her sister only half conscious. She extended a hand in front of her, a forcefield of energy appearing in front of her in the shape of a wedge. She slammed it into the wall in front of them and burst through to the other side. Cold night air exploded into exsistance around them. The building shook and, pushed beyond it’s limit, collapsed behind them sending out a shock wave that sent Mia stumbling away. Thankfully, the wall had been an exterior one and Mia took off with Rily still on her shoulder disappearing into the night. She didn’t stop until she found an alley a safe distance away from any prying eyes. She gentally set Rily down kneeling to check on her. Rily opened her eyes up grgoggily then they widened in surprise. “Mia?” She asked seeming uncertain. Mia without a word put both of her hands on her own chest and breathed out. When she pulled them away a ball of blue-green energy spun lazily in her hands. Rily pulled back a bit her eyes fixed on the ball of light. Gentally Mia pushed the ball towards Rily then watched as it entered her chest. A wave of light washed through Rily, the pure engery causing her hair float for a moment as if in a breeze. Her cuts vanished and her color returned. Her breathing became natural again. “What in the world?” Rily whispered. She stared at Mia eyes wide and fully alert. “Mia? Are, are you dead?” Mia chucked allowing her light and power to fade till she looked like her normal self again. “No, I’m not dead.” “Then what?” Rily looked over her arms and legs. “How?” She looked sharply at Mia. “What are you?” Rily smiled sadly. “I’m afaid that answer is long and complecated and at the moment it’s the least of our worries.” “What do you mean?” Rily asked as Mia stood and looked around as if to make sure there was still no one around. “Mia we were in the middle of a burning building about to die and you just,” She gestured in a wild pattern vaguely in Mia’s direction. “whatever you just did and broke through a wall with some kind of insane forcefield.” Mia raised an eyebrown. Well that was definately interesting. She had thought that her sister was practicaly unconsious when that had happened but apparantly she had been more alert than she had thought. “Look, Rily,” Mia said, sagging a bit and folding her arms looking to the side. “there are a lot of things you don’t know about me, that no one excpet a very select few knew about me and the fact that you know is let’s just say not ideal. Not ideal to the point that,” She paused looking to her sister then dropping her eyes, “to the point that we can’t go home.” “What!” Rily scrambled to her feet. “What do you mean we can’t go home?” “I mean,” Mia said stepping closer to her opening her hands toward her. “The group that I am with has one simple rule, ‘No one finds out’. No one, the protocal for this type of situation is, well is that you and I have to go and live with the leauge.” “What leauge?!” Rily was screaming throwing her hands in the air in frustraion and not a little panic. “What does any of this mean?! If this is some kind of sick joke Mia you need to stop right now.” She stared hard at Mia pleading, confused, scared. When the look in Mia’s eyes told her this wasn’t a joke she turned as if to run. Mia grabbed her. “Rily!” “Let go! I’m going home. Mom and Dad will know what to do. Let me go!” “Rily, we can’t go home!” Mia yelled fighting to hold on as Rily struggled to get free prying at her Mia’s hands. Mia flared a little of her power and her grip grew in strength. “We have to leave and tell no one or else…” Rily looked back at her and paused in her attepmts to free herslef and flee. “Or else what?” She asked, dread in her voice. Mia let go of her sister’s arm and set her lips in a hard line. “Or else they will kill us.”

„What are you hiding? I have known you since forever. We promised we wouldn’t keep anything from each other. I kept my promise and I always thought you would too, but now I am not sure anymore,” Alex shook her head frustrated. I know that it was bad, I couldn’t tell her the truth, it would change everything. Besides I am not even allowed to. “It’s complicated”, was all I could think of. Alex stood up and started walking around in the kitchen. “I can’t believe this! After everything we’ve been through? I really believed we were friends. No, I believed we were more than friends, I thought maybe you would like me too, like like more than a friend like!”, shouted she at me. Her face glowing bright red, her eyes filled with angry tears. “Please, Alex don’t. I can’t tell you. I.. I am not who you thought I was”, stuttert I. “ Alex uttered a contemptuous laugh: “Yeah, you are right, I really thought you would be different, but hey everyone makes mistakes. And you were mine!” Ashamed Alex turned her back to me, when she started crying. I had to tell her the truth, I couldn’t lose her. I love her. She was so close to discover the truth all by herself, she literally saw me transforming. She knows something is odd. But still I wasn’t ready to tell her: “Alex please understand.” “No! I always understand. I don’t want to understand anymore. You can’t just.. forget it! I can’t stand you right now!” “Alex wait! I.. I am.. I am Spiderman. Please don’t go. I need you. I love you! Slowly she turned around: “I know. I wish you the best. Goodbye.” My knees got weak, my head heavy, my thoughts loud, my sight black.

“What?” is all Evan could mutter at the news that his longtime girlfriend of three years just dropped on him.

“I’m breaking up with you.” Michelle repeated, avoiding his gaze as she looked down. Her arms were crossed, her fingers dug into her skin.

“I heard it the first time, Chelle - just, why?” He huffed out of disbelief. “Why now? We’ve been ok—“

“Okay? Is that what you were going to say? That we’ve been doing ‘just fine’, when it has been the complete opposite, Evan!” I scoffed.

Evan looked at her as if she’d just grown a third head.

“You’ve rarely been home. You stood me up at every single date for the past six months. You missed our anniversary. You barely even text me anymore!” Michelle spat out frustration. “It makes me feel like an idiot, Evan. When every single one of our friends think that we’re already broken up. Because you’re never around!” Tears welled up in her ocean blue eyes as she clenched her fists.

It finally hit him. What an idiot he has been. How could he not see this?

He’s been busy saving the world as Spiderman, barely noticing the neglect he has been showing his own girlfriend.

The girl that has been with him through everything. When he got his first job, his first paycheck, getting accepted into his dream college, the death of his mother.

He could only stare at her, as tears began to stream down her cheeks. The ones he used to hold every night.

When was the last time he’s felt her soft skin in his hands?

“Chelle,” His voice broke.

“I don’t get it, Evan. I really don’t.” She wiped her tears frantically with the back of her hand. “I’m done. I really am.” She mumbled between sniffles.

She started to back away, to turn away from him. To leave him forever.

That struck a chord in him. The sight of her - turning her back on him. It was a huge stab to the gut.

As she began to walk away, Evan snapped out of it, going after her and grabbing her wrist.

“Chelle, please, listen to me.” —Evan pleaded.

“What? So you can make up some other pathetic excuse?” —Michelle spoke bitterly, hurt evident in her tone.

“I’m sorry, baby. I didn’t mean to hurt you.” He gently turned her around towards him. His hand still holding her wrist firmly, but gently. “The truth is, the reason I haven’t been—“ He desperately wanted to get the words out, knowing this wouldn’t fix a thing, but he just needed her to know.

“I’ve been keeping something from you. Something big, but it’s not bad or anything—I guess.” He continued to ramble. Typical Evan.

She shook her head, “Evan?”

“Right.” He snapped back into it. “Chelle, you’ve heard of Spiderman… right?”

She furrowed her eyebrows, confused. “Yes?” Before her eyes widened in realization. “Don’t tell me—“

He bit her lips in anticipation, “Yes, that’s me.” Evan interrupted in a soft voice, as if he was afraid someone would hear him even though it was just the two of them in her bedroom. “I know that’s not excuse at all, to treat you the way I did. I got carried away, Michelle. I’m so sorry.”

She just stared at him in disbelief. How could she not have known? She knows she should be mad at him. For hiding something like this. For not giving her an explanation earlier. But all she could think about, is how much he risks by doing this.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” She whispered as she looked up at him.

He paused, a guilty look on his face. “I’m not supposed to. But, Chelle, I can’t lose you. I can’t.” He pleaded with her.

“I’ll make more time for you, I’ll do better. Please…” His voice broke. “Please don’t leave me. I can’t lose you too.” His hand went up to her cheek, gently caressing it with her thumb like he always loved to do.

Surprisingly, she didn’t pull away. She leaned into his touch, a vulnerable look in her eyes.

“Don’t hide yourself from me anymore.” Michelle pulled her boyfriend into a hug, something they’ve both missed.

Evan gladly accepted it, wrapping his arms around her smaller frame tightly, afraid that she’d disappear if he let go.

“Never again, Michelle.”

There he was, looking as beautiful as ever. I asked him to meet me in the cafe the night before. The secrecy between us needed to end, and I didn't know how I was going to tell him. Now, with each step I take, I still don't know, but it has to be done.

I took a few steps forward, heading to his corner table, and quickly switched directions to the counter. "One Earl Grey, please," I mumbled and shifted awkwardly. 'Gods, I hope he didn't notice me yet,' my mind said as I ran through scenarios over and over in my head on how this would go.

"that'll be $4.50" "huh?' "$4.50?"

"oh! Of course, I'm sorry." I fumble with my pockets and mumble before handing the change over. "thank you, again I'm sorry." I say as I gently take the ice cream and start walking over to our usual spot in the corner table. "ten!"

He looked up from his book, seeing me walk over, and gave a warm smile with a cute wave. "You're late again," he said, not in an irritated way but in a loving and found way that would make your heart flutter.

"I'm sorry, Ten. You know me." I chuckled nervously and slipped into the booth sitting across from him.

Ten gently closes the book, his smile fading into a soft worry, and speaks softly. "Are you okay? You seemed nervous on the phone last night, and I wanted to make sure you were okay. " He gently reaches for my hand and kisses the back of it.

My heart couldn't help but melt as I softened and set my tea down. "There's just something I have to tell you, and I don't want you to think any less of me or run away or..."

"Hey-hey," he softens more, leaning closer to brush my cheek. Whatever you have to tell me, I swear to you, I won't think of you any less. You are my starlight, no matter what."

Fidgeting with my hands I lean against his touch with a sniff "I'm a superhero."

Ten slowly moves his hands away and blinks a few times "A superhero?"

I nod gently and glance around before producing a little ball of light from my hand watching his eyes.

Ten blinks again, looking down at the tiny ball of light, and suddenly starts laughing, making me jump a mile and making the light disappear. "It all makes sense! Your name!"

"You.. aren't angry with me?" "Of course, I'm not angry with you!" Ten slowly wipes his eyes from laughter and looks at me happily. You had to keep your identity a secret—every superhero fan knows that—but why tell me now?" He tilts his head to the side as his eyes glisten with joy and curiosity.

I couldn't help but giggle and nod "Because I love you and I didn't want any secrets between us."

His eyes suddenly turn from curiosity to love and a slight sadness. "I love you too, but there's something I have to tell you as well."

my heart leaps into my lungs "Y-yes?"

Ten produces a link of shadow, making it move across our table and up my arm. "I've known for a long time."

At that moment, so many emotions exploded inside me. The man I want to marry someday was the villain.

He knew what had to be done, as much as he hated the situation he found himself in. He stared over at Charley and started to peel away his armor. Not a word was said in this moment, what was there to say that would make anything better. As our hero took away his armor and special gadgets superhumans have, Charley just cocked her head to the side. When all was done and our hero sat there, naked and vulnerable waiting for any kind of response he finally realized Charley didn’t give a shit what he was. Unconditional love is all Charley knows. Hero got dressed and took Charley for a nice long walk through the woods, played some fetch and even had a quick swim in a river.

“Look at you, slipping in like I can’t see you.”

A sigh escapes him as he turns to her. Beautiful. Dressed in silk, the silent thump of her step causes his chest to simmer. She’s close now.

“I didn’t wanna wake you-“

She scoffs, “Me of all people?”

“You’re right, a tornado could sweep through and you’d still find a way to sleep through it,” He says, a light laugh escaping him.

She laughs too, moving even closer. He fidgets under her gaze, as if the world slowed to pay attention. A stray palm presses against him, “Anthony?”

He looks away but she catches his cheek with a finger, tilting it back to her, “Where have you been?”

Her voice is a whisper, low and inviting. But he knows better. The undercurrent of danger reared its head, lurking beneath her feigned nonchalance.

“After work I went to the gym…new workout plan you know?”

“You get off at 12 pm. It’s 2 in the morning.”

Words die on his tongue and he turns away.

“Anthony.” she starts, her voice rising, “Where. Have. You. Been?”

Silence swells in the air like a blight. His jaw clenches, anxiety continuing to rise in the depths of his chest. He can’t lose her.

“I’m tired, Ava. We’ll talk later,” he pleads.

“Later huh? Is that what you think I deserve?”

“Ava please.”

“Please what?” Her lip quivers.

The distance between them is agonizing, he wants nothing more than to tell her, to let his heart bleed before her. But he can’t. There’s far too many people who’d exploit his attachment to her. Who’d use her. He can’t let that happen, not now.

“You never talk to me anymore-“

“That’s not true…” He retorts, his heart throbbing.

Ava crosses her arms, holding herself as she speaks, “You just feel so…distant I-I just don’t know what’s going on anymore. You make me feel crazy for being concerned. Things are different. What is it? Am I not good enough anymore?”

He face twists as he whirls around, “Don’t you dare say that. Not once have you stopped being good enough. I just…don’t want to talk about this right now.”

As he turns to leave Ava siezes forearm. Anthony hisses, yanking his arm back to nurse it. Hurt dances in her eyes before morphing into concern.

“Give me your arm, now.”

“I can’t,” he replies softly.

She’s seething now, “Give me your arm or I swear you’ll wake up by yourself tomorrow.”

Reluctantly he extends his arm to her. She pulls up his sleeve with delicate touch and deft fingers to reveal a near third degree burn. His flesh, discolored and split open, reveals a neat cut down the center.

She gasps at the sight, “Anthony what the- are you okay?!”

Gently, he pries his hand from her and pulls his sleeve down, “I’ll be fine, I promise.”

“No. No, you won’t. I can see your BONE, Anthony. This isn’t from accidentally touching the stove, you need medical attention. I’m driving you to the hospital.”

Before he can protest she’s already dragging him to the door. He stumbles at her pace, “Wait-“

“I don’t wanna hear it,” she opens the door, yanking him through before kicking it closed.

The hallway of their complex greets them as she continues dragging him. Her locs sway almost angrily with every step.

“Ava-“

“Don’t.”

They’re almost down the hall now. The winding staircase reveals itself amidst the flickering light, casting a dull golden glow over her.

“Ava!” He pleads again.

She stops, “Seriously? What is wrong with you? You don’t have to act tough all the time Anthony, it gets old. At some point you have to-“

He interrupts her by raising his arm. She gawks, watching as the wound had already begun closing. Her eyes dart between his wound and his face.

“You won’t tell me, will you?” She lets his arm slip from her grasp.

Anthony’s heart pounds, “I…”

Her head lifts, eyes glimmering with hope and expectation. But it all dies when he looks away again.

“I can’t.”

Tears flood down her cheeks before she begins walking down the stairs.

“Ava where are you..?”

“Don’t follow me.”

Panic floods. No no no, he can’t lose her. Resistung the urge to let her go, he gives chase, practically leaping down the stairs to stop her. The front door slams shut like a nail in a coffin.

Iridescent light surges, wafting across his body before the world bends to his speed. He’s behind her in an instant, wrapping both arms around her waist. Howling wind stops, as if the world held its breath.

“Ava, wait.”

He feels her quivering and hears the occasional sniff. It breaks his heart.

“This is your final chance. Tell me what’s going on, please,” she whispers, leaning back against him.

To her dismay he releases his hold, stepping back and sighing, “Alright…alright.”

Raw energy engulfs him in potent light. Sparks of multi-colored brilliance radiate before converging, sprouting into six large wings spread across his back. His irises shift, reflecting the vast expanse of the cosmos.

His once chocolate-hued skin shifts to pure midnight as bright golden runes snake a path down his chest and arms.

Ava turns around, eyes widening, “YOU’RE Guardian?!”

A solemn nod.

“I am,” he whispers in shame.

She approaches once more, eyeing his now healed arm.

“Out of everyone I could have guessed. The guy that only eats chicken tenders at michelin star restaurants and sleeps with socks on. You? You’re the angel?”

Anthony rolls his eyes, “My feet get all sweaty when I don’t wear them-“

She cute him off with a kiss, looping her arms around his neck. His eyes flutter closed. The sudden warmth of her lips is a balm to his worries, a soothing touch to his fear.

“Don’t shut me out, okay?” Ava murmurs against his lips.

“Okay.”

Lauren lay in the hospital, her spine and head throbbing with pain. Just as her eyes shut, the door flew open with a bang. "Where is she?!" A familiar voice yelled. Wincing, she turned her head towards a dishevelled boy standing in the doorway. He ran to her, eyes wide and wild. "Lauren!!! Where have you been? What happened to you?" He demanded. Lauren swallowed, her throat dry. "I was just in London. I’m okay, Chris. I promise." "Gosh. Mum’s going to kill me. I was supposed to look after you!" Chris ran a hand through his hair, groaning dramatically. "Chill! Just ‘cause I’m your little sister doesn’t mean I can’t look after myself." Lauren rolled her eyes, waving her hand dismissively. "Turn on the TV? I’m bored." "BORED?! YOUR SPINE IS INJURED!" Chris yelled, though he didn’t refuse.

He flicked to the News Broadcast, shaking his head at Lauren’s taste in entertainment, and sat back in a chair to watch. "Today we’re here in London after some devastating news. Our local hero, Panther, has been injured severely- possibly fatally. They suffered injury to the lower half of their spine after an intense battle against their archenemy, Wasp. Right now they’re being treated in the local hospital, and we have no further news. That’s all we have, so let’s move on to North England, where-"

The TV flickers off, and Logan turns to look at Chris with narrowed eyes. "L-Lauren? You’re not injured in the lower half of your spine, are you? And we’re in the local hospital…" Chris looked pale, and lowered his voice. "Lauren. You’re Panther, aren’t you?" "No!" Lauren yelped, hoping she could replicate the innocent act she could always put on as a child. "No?" Chris wasn’t convinced. "You’re always disappearing and getting some weird injuries whenever there’s any kind of battle between Panther and Wasp, and besides-" "How do you know Panther’s not a boy?" Lauren retorted. "Because I— oh my days! That’s NOT the point here!" Chris spat, taking a deep breath. "Listen- I’m not mad at you, Lauren. I’m just worried. Are you Panther?" "No." "Lauren—" Chris holds up a black jumpsuit decorate with stripes of pink. "I found this in your bag."