Jase walked into the door of his home, leaving the cool night behind him as he stepped into the warmth of his home. He looked into the living room, where he saw his dad sitting on the couch, watching the news report on a car crash. Jase sat down near his dad as they watched the report play; neither of them said a word.
The reporter talked in a somber tone as they told the story of a high schooler who was in a terrible car accident.
"First responders say he was alive after the crash, he seemingly crawled for help as he was found roughly a hundred feet from the sight of the wreck-"
His dad changed the channel.
"I can't take all that negative energy right now…" Delma said in a sorrowful tone.
"Mmm…." Jase said in agreement. He began to feel his stomach churn as the guilt hit him again. Jase had a family that believed that he was an innocent child, and he had betrayed that trust.
"Oh what's this about!" said Delma excitedly as his eyes were glued to the screen.
"The man was seen swinging from buildings at high speed; it seems we may have a local vigilante! We found many online who are already raving over the mysterious man, as they've christened him with the name 'Height'. Law enforcement says he may be dangerous and to avoid contact with the vigilante until further notice," said the reporter.
"Dude, that's super cool!" said Delma as a smile spread across his face again. His cheeks grew rosy again, and his long beard sat a little higher when he raised his chin up to smile.
Yeah, it's pretty cool," said Jase.
"Pretty cool? Nah man, it's really exciting, someone is living the childhood dream. I think it's too early to say he's a hero or anything, but people think he's cool. Y'know I've probably got all the things in the garage to make some grappling hooks for myself!" Delma let out a hearty laugh at the thought.
"Ok Dad, I get it. You really like this guy." Jase tried to keep his cool, but he was excited that his dad was proud of him, whether he realized it or not.
"Yeah I do! I've been keeping up online, and there's already a local fan page up," said Delma again, overly enthused.
Delma spoke again.
"Y'know…. I really wish there were more people out there like this dude, even if he's not doing anything but zipping around. Even if he didn't fight off crime or sumthin he still was a bit of a ray of sunshine for us as a community."
"Yeah, maybe he could be more of a role model for the community…" said Jase, as if to assure himself of some form of righteousness.
"That's what I'm talkin' about, dude!" Delma said excitedly, he was about to speak again when the news was interrupted by a breaking story.
The reporter again appeared on screen, where she spoke slightly out of breath, as if they had rushed to start rolling the cameras.
"Hello Santa Rosa, last night the media donned an anonymous rooftop hopper with the name Height. Today, the self-named crime fighter "Atlatl" stopped a local bodega from being robbed. Eyewitnesses say however that he may have gone "too far" in how he handled the petty theft. The police have issued a warning that all vigilantes will be arrested on sight."
Thoughts of who else was out there also attempting to be a hero raced through Jase's mind. Who could Atlatl be?
"This is your CCN news team; we'll check back later as more information arises."
Delma stood up from his chair to head for the kitchen. He spoke distantly to Jase as he opened the fridge.
"See dude, the Height dude already inspired someone else to make a change."
'Yes… but who?' thought Jase as he watched the local sports news come on.
"And that one was right out of left field," said the sports broadcaster as Jase faded into thoughts of who this person could be. Maybe this person would help him be the role model that Hal, his dad, and everyone else wanted Jase to be.
'Maybe this guy had been working in secret or something this whole time.'
Jase quickly caught himself fantasizing, much like his best friend would, about superheroes, but really, this was exciting for Jase. Someone who could show him the ropes of being a hero perhaps, or maybe someone who could learn with him.
The idea of becoming a hero became so much more appealing when he saw someone standing alongside him.
Height and Atlatl would become city-wide sensations for lowering the crime rate and saving people every day. The idea filled Jase with a sweet bliss not unlike what he had felt before his encounter with Dick.
Jase had found his calling; he would be a hero, or at least try to be one. He had to figure out a way to meet Atlatl.
Jase was snapped back to reality when his dad walked back into the living room with popcorn. His dad picked up the remote and interrupted an advertisement on the screen by putting on his favorite movie.
"You wanna watch with me?" said Delma to Jase.
"Sure…." said Jase, not truly paying attention to his dad's words.
Jase stared at the screen silently, just fantasizing about the experiences he'll have in the life of a real hero. The chance that he may have a way to right the wrong he so wholeheartedly regretted.
He continued his daydreaming all the way to bed, where those turned into more dreams: dreams of heroism, of meeting the love of his life, of living comfortably. It would all be so easy if he could manage what lay ahead.
Jase pulled out his phone and looked for the fan page. What he found was people who all loved him; they drew their best renditions of him based on the video they had, they theorized who the identity of Height truly was; and they even had some recognizable influencers posting on the page.
The page inspired Jase further, 'How do I find Atlatl?' Gears turned in Jase's mind as he ran through his options.
He just had to do it. Jase had a shot of energy, and he rose from the comfort of his bed with intent to go out; as he did, however, pain shot through his body and sent him recoiling back to his bed.
'Maybe this finding Atlatl thing can wait a day or two' thought Jase as he laid down and closed his eyes.