The sky was covered in a grey shroud that was obviously a harbinger for the eminent rain to come. How cliche I thought, going to visit a grave on a dark and moody day. I stared into the sky trying to keep my mind clear, I knew if I started thinking about it too much I would get cold feet. I didn't want to run away anymore.
I stopped at the white picket fence staring into the cryptic field of tombs. I looked over at the people scattered about the place. Some were leaving, taking notice of the coming in rain clouds, others had umbrellas and a few didn't even seem to notice the clouds. I stared for a bit at the gate that held the hollow fields. My legs felt like cement, and my heart began to race. I don't have the right to be here...I don't have the-
"She made that choice didn't she!" Zack's words echoed in my mind. She made that choice, right? She made that choice to save my life, I at least owe it to her to visit.
I took a step forward inside, and took a breath. It felt like walking on eggshells. I didn't know why, but I was terrified. I put my hands in my pockets and tried to prevent myself from shaking. I forced myself forward with each step. I stared up at the big oak tree across the way and headed there.
As I walked, I felt the rain start to come down on me. Maybe I should just give up, I mean I could catch a cold if it's raining right? Lux would be mad if I came home soaked, and Dad would beat me if I tracked water in the house.
However, I had walked the whole trek here already without even thinking about it, I guess my legs went on autopilot mode. I was shielded slightly by the big oak leaves from the relentless attack from the clouds above. I stared at the gravestone blankly for a bit, like I was looking at a stranger. I hadn't been back here in years, I didn't know what to say. My legs began to feel like jello and I fell to my knees.
"Mom.." I shuttered out.
I took out my mask slowly and set it on the gravestone.
"Hey, It's been a long time hasn't it?" I choked the words out of my mouth like I was being strangled.
I tried to force a small smile on my face, attempting to ease the moment, but it wasn't working. I took a deep breath and started telling her about my day. I told her about Zack and Alexis, I told her about my powers and the fight with the gang leader. I told her about the fight Dad and Lux had.
It's been forever since I visited her tombstone. I would always walk up to the gate, but never enter. I didn't feel worthy enough to step foot in here. But I felt so much lighter the longer I talked, I even forgot about the rain that piled on to me. It was like she was right there with me. Her warm and charismatic smile, shielding me from the rain like she used to do.
"Mom, I remember the nights when you would read to me. You read me that story about the knight who killed that dragon and saved the princess and the whole kingdom. I thought he was the coolest when I was younger. I wanted to be just like him when I grew up. And I finally have that chance to be a real hero like him. But. But!" I yelled but repeatedly to the gravestone.
I was crying and ripping the grass out the ground around me in frustration, trying to get the words out. It was like that strangling feeling had come back with full force. I felt this pain in my stomach, as if someone was twisting a knife into me.
I even began to feel the rain now. Like it was holding me down on my knees. That warm cheerful feeling I had of my past wisped away like smoke. I couldn't stop staring at her lifeline. I had the image of her falling to the ground replaying in my head over and over again. I felt like I was gonna throw up. I couldn't take it anymore, I was falling back into the loop of her death all over again.
Then like the sun breaking through the clouds I felt a gentle hand touch my shoulder. I couldn't move. I felt the presence of someone kneeling down beside me with a warming touch.
"Go, be the hero I know you can be." A soft nostalgic voice whispered to me.
I slowly turned and saw her, my mother. Her always kind and sincere smile and her breathtaking blue eyes. But just as fast as the apparition came, it was gone. I stopped moving and breathing for a moment. I stared at the now empty grass next to me where the figure was. I had no words. I just stood up and grabbed my mask from the gravestone.
"I'm sorry Mom, I've wasted so much time. I'll go make you proud." I said lastly to the tomb.
I stood up and looked over her grave one last time. Today is the day I stop looking back and start moving forward. And I knew just the place to start.
....
I headed down the street to a nearby liquor store, this place was a hot-spot for the Red Steel Gang. Rumor has it they get free service from this place, like their own personal suppliers. As you would imagine, this created a lot of issues around this area, my dad even got jumped here a few days ago. I was lucky enough to not be noticed as I hid beside the wall of the liquor store, Waiting to see if I would to catch something.
It was beginning to feel like hours of me just sitting here staring at people coming in and out of the store. The rain had finally stopped, but I was becoming restless just sitting there. Just when I was about to give up for the night, my waiting paid off. I saw a woman leaving the store in a hurry, speed walking down the street. As she was walking, I could see two men cut her off on the sidewalk. I moved from the wall to get a better look, I could see the taller one of the two men stepping forward toward her. She took a step back from him, but he snatched her hand.
"What's a pretty little thing like yourself doing out here alone?" One of them asked the girl as she struggled to yank her hand away.
"Please just take my money and let me go!" The women tearfully begged the two men.
They both just laughed at her and started pulling her off into the alleyway. No one around reacted to them, people just kept moving on like nothing was happening. It was almost like they were looking away. My blood began to boil. I put on my mask and activated my eyes, following behind them as quickly as possible. I saw one man holding onto the girl tightly while the other was pulling a gun out of his pants snickering.
"Let her go!" I yelled, catching both of their attention.
The gunman jerked the gun at me holding it sideways.
"Who the hell are you supposed to be? Batman? Get outta here kid." The gunman yelled at me, shewing me away with his gun.
He had a Red Steel Beam bandanna over his mouth and the other had one around his neck. There was no doubt about it, they were Red Steel Gang members.
"Red Steel Gang, you have infested this city long enough. It's about time you face justice!" I declared proudly to the two men.
I was surprised by my own voice, it sounded like someone else was talking. Like someone way more confident. They both stared in silence at me. Then they started laughing hysterically. Then Pop! Pop! He fired his gun at me.
I reacted fast and swiftly, weaving the bullets coming my way as I ran in at the gunmen. I leaned back and rammed my fist into the guy's face. He flew back and hit the wall hard and dropped to the floor like a rock.
The guy with the bandanna over his mouth slowly moved his hand to his pocket. I took notice and prepared myself. Then he sprang at me taking out his switchblade and swinging it wildly at me. I dodged easily and summoned an Albion sword to counter strike his swing. His knife flew out his hand as he stumbled back. I held my blade out to his neck and I could see he was shaking.
"Go, get out of my sight. Now!" I commanded.
He still seemed to be petrified in fear, as he stayed where he was. I stared into his eyes, and he seemed to get the message that I meant what I said. He ran past me, and slipped and fell flat on his face. He scrambled to his feet and continued to run off again. Once he was out of my sight, I looked over to the girl who was staring at me in horror on the ground. I walked over to her and kneeled down, offering her my hand.
"Are you okay miss?" I asked her calmly.
She stared at me for a bit before she reluctantly took my hand and I helped her up. She had the look of fear and amazement on her face, she couldn't take her eyes off me.
"What, what are you.." She managed to stammer out.
"I'm just a guy trying to make a difference." I looked over at the guy leaning against the wall, he was out.
I forgot about the body modifications we had. It must have enhanced my strength too... I tried not to dwell on it now and focused back on the lady in front of me.
"Call the cops immediately and tell them every single thing that happened okay?" I told her as I slowly stepped away.
She pulled out her phone and gave me a surprising smile.
"I will, thank you. I have a daughter at home and I just-" she seemed like she was about to get emotional, but I stopped her before she could finish.
"It's okay, I understand." I gave her a nod and with that, I took off.
After a while of running, I came back to my house catching my breath behind my building. I took my mask off and stared off into the night sky. I can't believe I really did it, I really saved somebody!
Words could not express how happy I was. I just couldn't believe it, a stupid screw up like me actually did something. I actually saved someone's life! Look Mom, if you're watching now. I'm finally listening to you. I am doing what I always wanted to do. I can finally be a hero!