“I will bring it up today, Linda.” Steve was staring at the small TV placed in front of the kitchen table, his jaw clenched. The black coffee he drinks first thing every morning is getting cold in the large mug. “There’s no point in waiting, things only seem to be getting worse. Will your sister be okay with us moving in as soon as next week?”

Linda stirred the last few drifting flakes in the cereal bowl in front of her, eyes glued to the TV. “I’ll talk to her.” She placed her spoon down and leaned back in her seat. “I’m uneasy, Steve, this is an important decision. Aren’t we moving too hastily?”

“The city is deteriorating - are you watching the same news as I am?” Steve takes a long, angry sip at his coffee. “These people are out of control. Sometimes, I can't tell who's more problematic, the villains or the supposed crimefighters..."

Linda closed her eyes wearily. "Please, Steve..."

“Do you see the state they leave the city in? Highways underwater, buildings in ruins!"

"We've discussed this already – just think about how much worse it would be without them! The criminals are the ones causing this chaos."

As Beth strolled into the bright kitchen, she caught the end of their conversation. It was a sunny, summer day, only a scattering of lazy clouds dotting the otherwise flawless blue sky. The cheerful singing of birds reached her ears from outside her bedroom window but all she could hear now is the muffled news anchor on TV and her dad loud whining.

"Dad, can we not go through this again?" Linda and Steve both shifted their gaze toward their daughter as she dragged her feet towards the fridge.

“Not to worry dear, soon you won’t have to hear me talk about this again. It'll all seem like a distant nightmare.”

Beth raises an eyebrow while pouring milk into a bowl, sending an inquisitive look to her father.

“We’re moving out of the city.” Steve announced, while putting both his palms down on the table as he stood up. “We’ll be staying at Aunt Lily’s in the country until things calm down. Perhaps we’ll have to move out indefinitely.”

“What?” Beth turned around to look at her dad sharply. “No, dad! I’m not going anywhere.”

“Of course you are.” Beth had seen this expression in her dad before, Steve’s eyebrows slightly frowned. The stressful energy he’d felt a few moments ago has now transformed into action.

“We’ll start the arrangements today. You don’t have to pack everything now, don’t worry, just enough for a few weeks…”

Beth felt her pulse starting to raise. “Dad, stop. I really can’t go, my whole life is here”

“This is no way to live, Beth, with this constant fear and insecurity. We’re taking this decision for your safety…”

“You have no idea about my safety” Beth interrupted her dad, her voice starting to raise. “And if that’s the reason, then there’s no need! I’m happy to stay, I want to stay.”

“Darling” Linda’s soft voice interceded. “We know how difficult this situation is. It won’t be easy for any of us to leave, but your dad and I, we’re scared, the city is not safe…”

“You’re right it is not safe, but it will be, it will get better.” Beth pushed down the knot that’s forming in her throat. She knows she can’t leave the city, she only needs to make them understand. “The crimefighters are gaining ground, soon they’ll have retaken the entire city and…”

“That’s enough, Beth.” Steve began washing up his finished coffee mug, growing impatient. He had made up his mind, finally relieved to have found a solution, even if it was temporary and unpleasant. "It's been months now, and frankly, I'm not even convinced that once this gang of criminals is captured, things will return to normal. It appears to me that the crimefighters relish the chaos, actually."

“What! That’s outrageous dad, of course they don’t.”

“You have no way to know that. Now Beth, please, don’t make this more difficult than it has to be…”

Beth’s choppy breathing grew more rapid and erratic. It was best for everyone if they didn’t know. They’d be safer, and definitely less worried. She had pondered their potential reactions before but guessing was useless. She thought her mother would be supportive yet extremely concerned, clearly not thrilled about it, but ultimately understanding. Her father was a different story. Beth couldn't be certain. He seemed to take the surge in crime and the chaos surrounding crime-fighting personally, as if he was offended that someone else had to clean up the mess after the fights. As if the fighting parties were secretly enjoying the confrontations. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Beth took a deep breath before looking at her dad again. He had assumed the discussion had concluded and was about to exit the room.

“I do.” Beth's voice emerged raspy at first. She cleared her throat and gathered her determination. “I do know the crimefighters do not enjoy this chaos.” Steve turned around, his expression shifting from weariness to wariness. Linda looked up slowly, slightly taken aback by the mood change.

Beth closed her eyes briefly and extended her right arm in front of her. When she reopened them, a small, playful flame danced on her hand.

“I am Blaze runner.”