note to reader: this is my second HEROES fan fiction, and I am very happy to finally get it posted! Everything associated or related to the TV Series HEROES is property of all those big shots that made this super awesome show. All original characters are from my imaginative mind. Enjoy!

(Alec Lions – New York City, New York – 5:30 AM)

Ert! Ert! Ert!

The young man that was once asleep shot out of bed. The annoying buzz of the alarm clock rang throughout the room like an unwanted reminder that it was time to wake up. He looked around, quite disgruntled from the abrupt wake up, and eyed the irritating machine. After tossing his covers aside, he quickly turned it off.

"I hate getting up so early," he mumbled to himself.

Alec stood in the middle of his room. He yawned, using his hand to cover his mouth. The time read five thirty... in the morning. Once again he mumbled under his breath at the inconvenience of waking up so early.

After his daily stretch, Alec went to his bed post and grabbed his towel. He opened his door and walked down to the bathroom, passing by the large bay window of the apartment. It was still dark outside, but he knew that the sun was just waiting to peak its head over the sky to say 'hello' to the world.

The lights flicked on, temporarily blinding him. He used his hand to cover his eyes, blindly groping for the shower knob. Quickly finding it, he turned it to 'hot'. Alec gently placed his head against the wall for a quick nap as he placed his hand underneath the slowly heating liquid.

Alec Lions was an average seventeen year old in High School. Self-described as a strong, confidant person that knew how to handle himself, he wasn't quite as muscular as the football players, but just cut enough to catch the eyes of the cute girls on campus. He wasn't the most popular guy around, but he had a way with people that made him easy to like. Alec wasn't necessarily someone you'd call book smart. Not surprisingly, however, he had a decent grade point average and finished the homework he was assigned... sometimes. Despite these many character traits, Alec's passion was running, which is why, from an early age, he had joined the track team. He was known as the fastest senior in the entire school district. People called him extraordinary.

Alec wasn't always described that way though. He used to be quite ordinary.

The heat of the water snapped him out of his dream and into the real world. After changing the faucet to the shower head, he undressed himself and stepped in.

"Another day," he said to himself. "Another stupid day of school."

Alec walked down the sidewalk to his school, his track jacket wrapped around his body for warmth. People were already filling the sidewalks. Everyone had somewhere to go. Pedestrians raised their hands for taxis. Walked down to the subway stations. Drove in the traffic. The loud roar of jet engines caused Alec to looked up.

Someone brushed passed Alec, nearly knocking him over. The culprit called for a taxi that was close by.

Alec looked at him and scoffed. "Jerk."

He turned a corner and walked through the gates that led to the campus grounds. The school was empty, save for all of the sports players, like himself, who needed to arrive early. His feet made soft tapping noises as they connected to the concrete ground. As he walked to the football field, he noticed that some of his team mates had already arrived.

One of his team mates looked up from where he was standing. "Hey, Alec, over here!"

Alec nodded his head in acknowledgement and walked towards them. When he got to the group, he opened his hands to give each a firm handshake.

Kyle, the one who had initially called Alec over, shivered in his track jacket. "It's pretty cold so early."

"True that," said Justin as he flipped his hood over his head.

Jarrod nodded. "Yeah, but hopefully the Quick Race will warm us up."

Alec kept his hands in his pockets. He took this chance to take a glance around the football field. There were the Football players walking into the weight room during their zero periods. Alec's eyes wondered over to the other side of the campus and eyed the water polo players. There was a girl he knew in water polo. He looked for her.

Justin nudged Alec coyly. "Looking for Casey?"

"Who?"

"She's over there."

Alec's drew his attention to where his friend had pointed. Casey walked a couple of yards away with her water polo parka on to keep herself warm.

He couldn't help but raise his hand. "Casey!"

She turned to face him. A smile came across her face and she waved back.

Alec smiled and came back to the conversation with his track friends. Everyone looked at him before quickly turning away. Their immature snickers and smirks could not hide their attempt mock him.

He put his hands back into his pockets. "Shut up, Guys. She's just my friend."

Jarrod laughed. "Sure."

Kyle began walking towards the track. "Guys, there's Coach."

Alec took one more glance at Casey before jogging over to where the rest of the team had gathered. He silently nodded to each teammate as he approached. The Coach stood with his arms across his chest like a military general, assembling his troops for war.

"Okay guys, today is the big track meet. It is essential that we win this one. This one's to take divisional. I think we can do it. No, I know we can do it! You guys have come close every season and this year is your year!"

Someone in the back yelled out, "Hell yeah!"

The group chuckled at their teammate's enthusiasm.

"Hell yeah!" he encouraged his team. "Every single one of you has to take it upon yourself to go out there and win. Now let's see those Forties."

The team yelled out in a loud uproar of victorious speech. They stood and lined up in their designated spots. Alec got up and slowly made his way to the starting line. The coach gently tapped him by the shoulder.

He turned around. "Yeah, Coach Shay?"

"Alec, we both know that, if any one deserves first place, it's you."

"Thanks, Coach."

"I mean it, Alec. You've improved so much in your speed. Heck, some people think that you're doing steroids." He gave a light chuckle before quickly grabbing his arm. "You're not doing steroids, are you?"

Alec shook his head. "No, sir. I would never touch the stuff."

"Good. Now get out there and show the rest of this team how a real track star runs!"

Alec just patted his coach on the shoulder and jogged out to the starting line.

Justin grinned as they lined up next to each other. He extended his arm for a fist bump. Alec couldn't help but laugh as he humored his friend's gesture. Once in the crouched running position, Alec looked over to where Casey was. She was looking at him with her coach. He waved his hand and a wave came back. He smiled and refocused his attention on the finish line.

The Coach lined up on the sideline. "One! Two! Three! Go!"

Bodies shot off of the line and onto the track. Feet slammed against the ground and carried each body closer and closer to their goal. Alec looked at his teammates. They were going so slow to him. He looked at Justin to his left. He was so concentrated on finishing. His eyes were intense, his focus was locked. Alec looked to the teammate to his right. This guy was already panting.

The finish line lay straight ahead. With just a thought, he increased his speed. His mind was on making his coach proud, to show him how fast he really was. He didn't want to hold back. Left the runners behind him. Alec looked back at to see how far he had come. They had barely even started.

Alec smiled. But it quickly disappeared as he realized what he had done.

Coach Shay almost stumbled as he ran up to him. "Alec! That... that… that was amazing! Am I on crack 'cause you looked like a blur!"

The young man nervously rubbed the back of his head. The runners came up to the finish line, gasping for air. Alec looked at them. They tried so hard. He looked at Justin. His friend gave the thumbs up sign and fell on the floor exhausted.

Coach Shay poked him in the shoulder. "You were flying, man!" He took out the stop watch. "Your time was two minutes and- two minutes? This thing must be broken. You were going extremely fast. A lot faster than these guys." He looked at the rest of the team. "I mean, you all did very well. It's just that Alec is much better."

The other teammates groaned in response.

"Oh, thanks, coach," Alec timidly said. "I, uh… gotta go to the bathroom. I'll be back."

Alec ran across the cement. He needed to get out of there. His mind raced with questions. He wondered if anybody realized that he was going faster than everyone else. Abnormally faster. He wondered if anyone would get curious. Alec ran past the pool where Casey was watching.

He looked at her face. She was concerned. Alec gave a weak smile and ran off towards the bathroom. He looked into the mirror. The reflection looked back.

"What were you thinking? You want to get caught? You want to get thrown off of the team? You're cheating! Don't make it look so obvious."

The reflection repeated the words. He looked into his face. Alec eyed the figure in the mirror. He needed to take control. The faucet turned on and Alec placed his hands underneath the cool liquid. He splashed his face and placed both hands on the rim of the sink before lowering his head in contemplation.

Casey waited by the bathroom door. Alec silently crept out, cautiously looking around to make sure no one was nearby.

She followed behind him. "You got some fast feet, Alec," she said.

Alec quickly turned around. "I... Oh, it's just you."

"'Hi' to you too. You look terrible."

"Oh," he laughed. "Thanks."

"No, I mean… Are you okay? You ran out of there pretty fast."

Alec managed to let out a smile. "You have no idea."

The sun was now up around six thirty. Casey adjusted her parka since it was getting warmer. She nudged him. "So… what was your time?"

Alec only shrugged. "It was probably like four something."

"Wow, that's fast."

Alec smiled. He put his arm around her. He couldn't help himself. "I'm a lot faster than that."

Casey laughed. She gave him a hug. "I gotta go back to practice. I just wanted to see if you were okay."

"Oh, well, I am now."

"Aw, that's sweet. I'll see you later."

"Oh wait," Alec said. "Are you going to the track meet?"

Casey thought about it. She gave him a sweet look and then smiled. "Yeah, I'll be there rooting for the fastest man alive."

Alec laughed.

She went off as soon as they were approaching the pool. Alec watched her leave. After she disappeared underneath the water, he went back to the track field. His coach was waiting there. Coach Shay had his arms crossed and was watching the rest of the team sprint across.

Alec stood at his side and also crossed his arms. "You think we'll win today?"

Coach Shay kept his eyes on the runners. He nodded his head, but never drew his attention off of his team. "I have no doubt in my mind that we'll take divisional. No doubt in my mind."

Alec sighed. "You're expecting a lot out of me, aren't you?"

"I expect a lot out of every individual on my team, Alec."

Alec brought his hands over his head and stretched. After he bent down and touched his toes, he stretched his legs. The race was going to begin in two minutes. As he stretched, Alec looked at all of the other runners. They too were preparing for the race ahead. Each one was running for one goal: first place. A first place that belonged to Alec. Alec couldn't help but to grin.

"Everyone to your starting positions!" said the man over the announcer.

Alec looked at the people sitting in the stadium. He looked for a familiar face but did not see it. He disappointingly lined up with the rest of the runners. The stadium shook as the racers went into their starting positions. Alec breathed in. And breathed out. He was going to win this race. He was going to beat everyone there.

Alec smirked and got ready.

"On your mark… get set… go!"

He took off with a flash.

Continued…

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