Chereads / HAKER / Chapter 4 - "Unforeseen Loss: The Frost Family's Darkest Hour”

Chapter 4 - "Unforeseen Loss: The Frost Family's Darkest Hour”

A tall lean superhero called Mr. Frost, with chiseled features and piercing ice-blue eyes, wearing a sleek suit adorned with subtle frost patterns, wielding ice powers, finds themselves locked in a heated confrontation with a villain called, Metal Tyrant...

Who is clad in dark, emo-inspired clothing that accentuates his muscular, imposing frame, adding to his intimidating presence. Though his attire may seem understated, the subtle metallic details suggest his affinity for all things metal. With a demeanor radiating cold, unyielding strength, he instills fear in all who encounters him.

As icy blasts collide with metallic barriers, the air crackles with tension, each combatant fiercely determined to emerge victorious. Amidst the chaos of their battle, sparks fly and the ground trembles, creating a scene of epic conflict between opposing forces of nature.

As the aggressive fight continued, Mr. Frost and the Metal Tyrant began hurling insults at each other, their words laced with venom as they clashed.

"You call that an attack?" Metal Tyrant sneered, deflecting an icy blast with a wave of metallic energy. "I've seen more power in a snowflake!"

Mr. Frost gritted his teeth, retaliating with a fierce barrage of ice shards. "At least I fight with honor, unlike you, hiding behind your metal tricks!"

Metal Tyrant laughed scornfully, launching a barrage of metal projectiles. "Honor won't save you from defeat, ice-brain!

Their verbal exchange fueled the intensity of their battle, each insult met with a ferocious counterattack. As they fought relentlessly, it became evident that their conflict was as much a battle of words as it was of powers.

The once-steadfast cityscape bore the brunt of Mr. Frost's and Metal Tyrant's ferocious duel. Buildings crumbled under the force of their blows, sending debris cascading through the air. The cries of terrified bystanders echoed through the chaos, mingling with the sounds of shattering glass and crumbling masonry. Beneath their feet, the ground quaked and cracked, unable to withstand the sheer power unleashed by the combatants. In the midst of the devastation, Mr. Frost and Metal Tyrant fought on, their determination undiminished by the destruction surrounding them.

As the chaos unfolded, luck seemed to favor the hero as reinforcements arrived to aid in the battle. However, before Metal Tyrant could be apprehended, he made a quick escape, leaving behind a final insult directed at the hero.

"I'll give you this round, ice-brain," Metal Tyrant sneered, his voice dripping with disdain as he prepared to flee. "But mark my words, I'll be back, and next time, there'll be no one to save you!"

Mr. Frost clenched his fists, frustration evident in his voice as he watched the villain slipped away. "You're nothing but a coward, hiding behind your empty threats!" He retorted, his resolve unwavering despite Metal Tyrant's escape. "But mark my words as well, justice will prevail, and you will answer for your crimes!"

With that, Metal Tyrant vanished into the chaos, leaving Mr. Frost with the other heroes.

Mr. Frost, breathing heavily from the intense battle, turned to his fellow heroes, concern etched on his face. "Are there any casualties?" He asked, his voice tense with worry.

One of the heroes shook their head. "No one is dead," they replied, "but a lot have sustain injuries from the chaos of the duel."

Mr. Frost sighed with relief at the news that no lives had been lost, but his relief was tinged with sadness for those who had been injured. "We need to get medical attention to those who are hurt," he said firmly, his sense of duty driving him to action. "Let's make sure everyone gets the help they need."

With a shared determination, Mr. Frost and the others sprang into action, assisting the injured and ensuring that they received the necessary medical care in the aftermath of the destructive battle.

After everything had settled down, Mr. Frost was gliding through the chilly night air, leaving a trail of frozen mist in his wake, he felt the lingering effects of the intense battle with Metal Tyrant.

Suddenly, his attention was drawn to a subtle vibration on his wristwatch. Glancing down, he noticed fourteen miss calls, and an incoming call came in from his wife. With a quick swipe, he answered the call, his voice remaining calm yet alert amidst the rush of wind around him as he said, "Hey, what's up?"

His wife's words triggered a surge of surprise and disbelief within him, prompting him to accelerate rapidly, trailing a chilling heavy wave of air as he soared through the sky.

Arriving at a magnificent estate, Mr. Frost was greeted by a formidable sight: twenty-five bodyguards stationed outside, each likely a superpowered individual. Ignoring the need for permission from the guards, he swiftly made his way inside, urgency propelling him forward.

Upon entering the grand living room, he was met with a heartbreaking scene. Sarah, his wife, sat on an expensive looking couch amidst the luxurious surroundings, with tears streaming down her face. Surrounding her were thirteen more bodyguards, their solemn expressions a testament to the gravity of the situation.

Mr. Frost, his voice trembling with emotion, asked his wife if what she said was true. Seated on the couch, tears rolling down her cheeks, she said, "where were you? I've called so many times."

"I'm sorry, I was busy fighting against this villain who got away", he replied, with quiet sadness in his voice while looking at his wife. Then he asked his wife again if what she said is true . His wife, Sarah, nodded in response to his question, confirming that it's the truth.

"Yes, it's true," she managed to say through her sobs. Overwhelmed with disbelief, Mr. Frost dropped to his knees. "No, no, it can't be… how... how could this happen?" he whispered, his voice barely audible. The room was filled with a heavy silence, broken only by the sound of Sarah's quiet sobs.

Ten hours earlier, detectives Lennie and Anna meticulously reviewed two pieces of footage in the footage room. The first captured one of the victims entering the taxi, while the second depicted the explosive moment when the taxi detonated.

"Hmmm," Anna mused, drawing Lennie's attention. "What is it?" he inquired. "The girl who entered the taxi… she looks familiar... I'm sure I've seen her somewhere before," Anna remarked, her gaze fixed on the footage. Suddenly, a realization dawned on her, prompting her to swiftly leave the footage room. Lennie followed behind her without saying a word.

Making her way to her desk, Anna pulled out a magazine from her desk drawer. On the cover was the same girl seen entering the taxi in the footage. "You know who this is, right?" she asked, showing the magazine to Lennie. The scene transitions to Lieutenant Hodge's exclaiming, "Mr. Frost's daughter??!!"

"Yes, she's a swimsuit model who's on many covers of Ethereal Swims." Anna answered.

*Author's Note: "Ethereal Swims" is a made up swimsuit magazine in this fantasy world.

"I admire your taste in magazines," Lieutenant Hodge remarked, implying that she might be lesbian. "But we're talking about a Tier A hero's daughter here. Just how certain are you that the girl in the footage is Mr. Frost's daughter?"

"The footage was crystal clear, sir. There's no doubt in my mind that the girl in the video is Mr. Frost's daughter," Anna affirmed confidently.

"Alright, Lennie, what about you? Are you equally convinced?" Lieutenant Hodge inquired.

Anna looked to Lennie, silently urging him to provide his assurance with a reassuring response.

"Lieutenant, I know this will become devastating news to the public once it gets released, but I trust in Anna's assessment," Lennie explained.

"Alright, then... as much as I dislike handling matters involving heroes and their families, it's imperative that you both head over to the Frost estate and deliver the unfortunate news to them," Lieutenant Hodge instructed begrudgingly.

As Lennie opened the door and left, Anna lingered behind for a moment to say one more thing to the lieutenant.

"And sir..." she started, "Just to clarify, I'm not a lesbian."

"I never said that you were," Lieutenant Hodge replied, with a plain expression on his face.

After a brief, awkward moment, she swiftly exited the office.

Upon their arrival at the Frost estate, the two detectives were granted permission and access to enter the mansion. Inside, they delivered the heartbreaking news to Mrs. Frost.

"This can't be, my daughter is dead...?"

Mrs. Frost exclaimed, her voice breaking as tears began to flow. She recounted how her daughter had called a while ago, assuring her she was on her way back home.

"I shouldn't have let her go shopping alone, without any bodyguards. I should've protected her. How careless of me," Mrs. Frost lamented, her voice filled with anguish. She broke down in tears, overcome with grief and regret.

"It was just the one time she wanted to feel normal, without raising any suspicion, and she ended up paying for it with her life," she continued, her tears flowing uncontrollably.

"What do I even tell my husband? He's probably busy trying to save lives out there, completely unaware that our daughter is gone... And Suzy's big brother, Adam, he's halfway across the world. This news will be devastating to him," she said, her words punctuated by her tears, her grief raw and palpable.

As Lennie and Anna left the Frost estate after their conversation with Mrs. Frost, they found themselves left thinking that despite the Frost family's wealth and power, they were still human beings, susceptible to being victims of violence.