Chapter 2

The phonebook sized pamphlet slapped down on the secretary's desk. She neither flinched nor noticed. There was a second secretary today; her nametag said Cam. After about five minutes of dwindling on her laptop she finally turned to grab the booklet. She flipped over the first page and started typing almost as if it had been there the whole time.

"You can go to your desk now." She never looked up once at him.

"HOW DID YOU GET IN HERE?" The chief suddenly shouted in Hiro's ear. "I know you don't have super-speed, 'cause it took you a week to finish your novel."

"I walked sir." Hiro replied rubbing his ear angrily. "I almost forgot about him" he thought. "I passed right by you."

"Nonsense, no one gets by me. I see everything you dang teleporter."

"I'm not a telpor….."

"So you got my story?"

"I just barely started!"

"And you couldn't get anything within a week!"

"No! Well I, uh, um! About six days ago, the super hero Red rescued me and another hero from some….."

"Great, Super! Say it was yesterday and run with it. Old school Red saves a couple of newbs from the ugly streets. I want a typed fifty word paragraph on my desk within the hour."

"Ok but don't call me Super, and what's a ……" The chief walks away completely ignoring Hiro. "Newb?"

Hiro turned around to question the secretary, and she didn't even wait for the question.

"It's a newbie Superhero barely starting the job."

I"I'm not a…. Oh never mind forget about it."

Hiro walked to the desk he had been shown a week ago. It was more of a cubicle and the only thing in it was a computer, chair and an empty desk. It didn't take Hiro long to figure out the computer, and as he typed he had to stop himself a couple of times from typing Christine's name instead of her hero alias, Sky Violet 32. The building was surprisingly noisy but it didn't bother him too much. What did bother him was the conversation that was going on behind him.

"Is that him?" one woman said.

"I don't know." said another female voice.

"I thought he would be big and strong."

"I think it's him. Sue said he was pretty cute." This caused Hiro to blush.

"Don't say that out loud. What if he has super-hearing?"

"It doesn't matter, he can listen to me squirm if he wants."

"I heard the boss saying something, about him being able to teleport and move fast." A third male voice interjected.

"You don't need super-hearing to listen in to your conversation." Hiro spun around upset. He didn't get a good look at the male figure who immediately ducked behind a cubicle wall, but the two girls both blushed and started giggling. One of them, a black haired beauty, was dressed with a long black skirt, and a well mannered blue top. The second had Light orange hair much like Christine's, but she was dressed a bit more provocative. She had a yellow top open to reveal a black bra, and a miniskirt shorter than the seat of her chair revealing all. Hiro froze in embarrassment from seeing the provocative girl, and his chair seemed to rotate back towards the desk with out him even moving. The two girls both turned away still flush and giggling.

Hiro tried to type his work a bit more but he was too distracted now.

"See! I told you he had super hearing." One of them finally said, and he was too shy now to turn back around. They spent the rest of their time giggling.

"So how was your first day at work?" Christine asked as Hiro entered the apartment. She was coming down the staircase wearing a tight white t-shirt and tight denim jeans. Hiro risked a glance and blushed a bit. Christine just smiled.

"It was hellish." Hiro answered as he climbed up. "The boss has already convinced everyone that I am a super hero, and my desk seems to be surrounded but giggling daydreaming women."

"Ooh! Sounds like a dream come true." Christine said sarcastically. "I hope it doesn't make the job hard."

"No I should be fine. Most of my job will be on the field looking for stories. That shouldn't be hard the boss seems to print anything with a hero in it regardless of whether it's true or not. I just hope I can find a good source." Hiro was already at the top of the stairs looking down at Christine and she was at the bottom.

"If you want I can stop by and tell you a bit of my stories. I wouldn't mind and the reputation could do me some good on the streets."

"That sounds like a great idea."

"That would be good, ok I gotta work, bye." Christine waved at him with a smile and walked out. Hiro waved back thinking about how cute she was, but a flash of Red suddenly popped into his head. He shook it off but couldn't help smiling

"I should have asked her about Red." He thought to himself. Hiro went up to his apartment and started rummaging through his apartment for supplies. He found paper and pens and decided to work on trying to buy a laptop for future projects. Hiro finished gathering supplies and headed out once again. "No reason for me not to gather stories for future use."

Hiro was surprised that it didn't bother him to wander the streets after his first ordeal. He tried to stick near the busy streets to avoid trouble, but around almost every corner he could hear screaming and scuffling. At one instance a young thin jogger rushed past him, swinging a small bat, hitting his head. All he said was.

"Welcome to Kings Row b#$!"

Hiro was aggravated but he wasn't hit to hard. After a while in the distance Hiro could see three large figures. He already recognized them as the statues in Atlas Park. He decided, "That seems like a good place to get a story." Hiro began to make his way there. Hiro went over the bridge in Perez Park and noticed pedestrian traffic was picking up quickly.

Hiro reached the end of the park and witnessed a guy trying to beat a do not walk sign. Within a second or two, a car came rushing out only to stomp on its brakes. The vehicle slowed down enough to only nudge the man, who never saw it coming, knocking him down on his face. Hiro rushed to the man and held out his hand in a stop jester to the driver. Silently he worded, "Are you alright?" to the male driver. The man nodded back.

The victim began pushing himself up, and turned to witness Hiro standing above him, hand held out toward the vehicle, the sun shining on him magnificently. Hiro was startled over a series of random clicks and flashes. There were people all around taking pictures of him and the scene. Hero held out his hand to the fallen man for help.

"You save me!" The Victim proclaims as he stands. "You pushed me out of the way and stopped the car. Thank you!"

"No I didn't." Hiro stated. "Are you alright? Do you need to go to the hospital?"

A worried shaky driver came rushing to the side of them, and quickly looked the victim up and down. "Are you Ok?" he barely managed to ask.

"Yes I'm fine this Hiro saved me." The victim proclaimed.

"No I didn't!" Hiro snapped.

Suddenly a look of relief and a wicked grin took over the drivers face. "Yes you did!" the driver proclaimed. "You pushed the man down, and used your powers to stop my runaway car. You save two lives Sir. This young man and mine because I could not live with myself if I were to ever accidentally hurt or kill an innocent." Bystanders started clapping, and both Victim and driver started shaking each hand in appraisal.

Hiro was certain the driver was trying to avoid a lawsuit, and against his instinct to protest their accusations, he pulled his hands away from them. The driver kept thanking Hiro constantly as he got into his car again, and Hiro began to walk away without a word. The victim kept watching Hiro with star struck eyes and there were still people clapping as Hiro left.

The car sped off and the only thing left was the victim. The man looked around a bit and rushed to a group of three obvious tourists. "Say! I'll give you five hundred dollars for your camera and pictures." They discussed it only a few seconds then nodded proceeding with the exchange.

Hiro finally made it to Atlas Park, and approached from behind City Hall. Hiro stood behind one of the statues, and witnessed what seemed to be a huge party going on in the front of the building. There were heroes displaying firework like powers, and jukeboxes around most groups. There were costumes galore, and heroes dancing their heads off. He took witness to what looked like a cat lady hosting a good looks contest, with some large crazed hairy fellow proclaiming himself the winner regardless of protest from the judge.

Hiro had never seen so many powers before. There were people running at intense speeds, teleporting, and some jumping to extreme heights. A man in a blue suit with an electricity pattern suddenly protruded into his sight and began to power up like a generator. After about three seconds of a static like hum the man bolted into the air taking high speed flight. Hiro kept his eyes on the man afraid that any distraction would cause him to loose location of the man who now looked like a speck.

"Pervert!" Someone snapped from off to the side.

Hiro turned his head in curiosity and say a woman and young girl looking at him angrily. Hiro looked back up confused. He looked side to side, then suddenly a little higher to realize he was gazing surprisingly close to the inside of the Galaxy Girl Statue's skirt. He quickly looked back to the woman and child and shook his head and hands trying to think of the words to explain, but she just grabbed her child's shoulders and led her away.

Hiro kicked himself mentally for always getting in these predicaments. He was suddenly not interested in watching the Heroes anymore.

"I need to find some stories." He thought. "Maybe I can write about what happened earlier. Like that will ever make a story. I should probably buy a camera. I didn't have any pictures for my first article, and it would have been nice to have a shot of Red." Hiro blushed at the thought of her.

Hiro saw a small convenient store near the area so he made that his target. When he arrived in there was a dark tanned man, with thick black hair at the counter, and another thin young kid with an orange high school jersey on.

Hiro walked to the counter and asked the cashier, "How much for a one time use camera?" The cashier pulled one out from under his counter, and placed it down.

"Disposable cameras are a hundred and twenty."

"That's crazy!" Hiro snapped. "Back in my hometown a camera ranges anywhere between five and twenty dollars."

The cashier leaned on the counter, and looked Hiro into the eyes. "Listen since you're obviously new in town I'll fill you in. Have you every heard the fraise "a picture is worth a thousand words."?"

Hiro nodded, "Yea!"

"Well, in Paragon a picture is worth a thousand bucks. At least a good picture is. With big newspaper companies like Paragon Express, or Paragon Prime printing out two papers a day, pictures are in high demand. The best way to save money is to buy yourself a digital camera, a decent one around here goes for around $2000 or more."

"Wow!" Hiro was all out surprised at this news. He didn't even know his company printed two papers a day. "I guess for now I'd better buy a disposable one. I hope I can afford it."

Hiro was halfway through his purchase when a loud crack sounded from the door, and the other man, who was trying to exit, stumbled back a couple of feet.

The cashier handed Hiro the camera after accepting the money before looking up to the other man. "Can I help you?" He asked the kid.

"You can let me out." The kid snapped.

"Well!" the cashier replied. "You can either put those items back, pay me, or you can wait for the police to arrive."

"I don't have anything!" the kid shouted.

The cashier only kept staring at the kid without saying a word. Hiro was already getting worried over a conflict but he could not leave with the kid in the door way.

"Why don't you bite me!" The kid shouted as he produced an Uzi from under his cloths. Hiro closed his eyes and instinctively covered his face as a rain of bullets flew towards him and the cashier.

The sound of the weapon going off was there but Hiro never heard an impact. When he uncovered his eyes, he could see the bullets floating against air that rippled like vertical water. The kid was looking enraged but he only lowered his gun and hung it around his shoulder from a sling. He pulled out something from his pocket, and shouted "Fine!" The kid threw a hand full of cash on the floor, and tucked away his weapon. The cashier leaned over and counted the money from where he was. He then looked up at the kid and nodded.

The kid turned and walked out trash talking under his breath. The bullets fell to the floor causing him to snap out of his daze. He looked back at the cashier raised the camera and asked, "May I?"

"I'm sorry! No pictures in my store. It is policy." The cashier told him. "If you are looking for a good picture or story, I wouldn't recommend Atlas Park." Hiro looked up puzzled. "Too many heroes hang out there. There isn't much that can be taken or written there that hasn't already been covered. You might wanna try one of the islands or the sewers. Alleys and small streets only lead you where many men have gone before."

Hiro was a little disturbed at the thought of searching the sewers. "Ok! Thanks!" He headed out and decided on settling with the walk home for now.

"Hey, you're back!" Christine stated as she came running to him arms in the air. She was still wearing the white t-shirt but now she was barefoot and wearing short yellow boxers. She looked like she had just gotten out of the shower, but he suspected she may have been waiting for him.

"Are you ready to hear about my adventures now?" She said grabbing his wrist with two hands. "Come on!" She was tugging at his arm pulling him upstairs.

"I was wondering." Hiro interrupted. Christine stopped and stared at him with the attention of a child at story time. "Do you think you can also tell me some stuff about Red?"

"Oh!" She replied. She suddenly looked very sad. "I thought you just wanted to hear about me."

The thought suddenly dawned on Hiro that she may just want to spend some time with him, because she may like him. "Way to go Hiro, ruin the mood by talking about another girl." He was trying to think of something to change the subject, but they were interrupted by someone else entering.

"Did I just hear my favorite name?" It was Rita she had just arrived home herself.

Suddenly Christine cheered up again. "Yes Rita! Hiro wants to hear about my adventures…, and Red's." Christine nudged Hiro's shoulder with her elbow, and winked at Rita. "I think he likes her."

"That sounds like fun." Rita smiled and stood up straight as she said this. "May I join, I know Red personally so maybe I can tell you a thing or two."

"Rita!" Christine shouts. "Don't blurt things like that out."

"What you know her as well." Rita answered. "I think we can trust this man, besides we're not telling him who she is, so it should be safe."

"Ok! It should be fun!" Christine proclaimed. She then threw her arms out like a plane and ran upstairs giggling. "I'll get ready."

"I'll be up there in a bit also. See ya!" Rita said as she entered the first door to the right, which was her office and apartment.

"I guess she doesn't like me that way." Hiro thought to himself. "At least I'm going to hear about Red. That will be great. Maybe I can see her again." Hiro shook his head out of his daydreaming thoughts, and proceeded upstairs. "I must be losing it! Like that will ever happen."

Hiro was sad to see Christine had changed to some long sky blue pajamas. She and Hiro were sitting Indian style on a small round carpet he found. Christine wasn't necessarily sitting Indian style, because the palms of her feet were touching. Rita was sitting backward on her chair, which looked funny for an old lady with round spectacles.

"So I told the guy, I didn't know what cybering was and kicked him into the river, because it sounded dirty." Christine said cheerfully. Hiro was laughing and Rita was just shaking her head with a red face.

"So how did you manage to come about finding this place?" Hiro asked. "This is off the record!"

"Oh that!" Christine thought for a second. "Red showed me this place when I was young. I was about fifteen and my parents where terrified when I started floating around the place. For super heroes it's hard to lie about your powers when you start floating. That's something you get through strength and concentration."

"Speaking of super heroes," Rita interrupted. "I see you made it into the newspaper today." She was looking at Hiro.

"You mean my article?" Hiro asked. "I turned it in today."

"If that's what you call it." Rita said with a smile. "Every Hero starts from somewhere, you say. I vow to protect everyone from harm."

"What I didn't type that." Hiro protested. "Let me see that."

Rita hands Hiro the paper, and on page six in the bottom left corner he sees a picture of him standing between a car and a terrified man in the streets. Hiro noticed the face of the victim had been altered.

"New hero in town," Hiro read on. "Unlike modern superheroes that care only about saving people through violence, the man seen here proclaiming his name HERO helps save people from harm and death through actual thought and cares not about the physical benefits or money heroes receive. A modest hero, who proclaims as long as he is around no one will get hurt, and cares about everyone." Hiro lowered the paper. "I can't read on. Who could have done such a thing?"

"But you look so handsome." Christine told him. Hiro suddenly noticed she was pressed against his back, looking over his shoulder. He jerked away quickly, eyes wide, dropping the paper. She didn't seem to notice she just scooted up and grabbed the paper.

"Wow. You can stop cars." Christine said.

"No I can't that's a lie." He protested.

"Then why did you say all those things."

"I didn't whoever wrote that is lying."

"He's probably telling the truth." Rita interrupted. "Red used to hate that as well. The news has a tendency to take, add, and twist things you say or do. They can make you a hero or they can make you a villain in an instant."

"But Red is a hero!" Hiro interjected. "She is amazing, she is the best, and there can't be anything wrong with her."

"I think Hiro's fallen head over heals in love with Red." Christine giggled and kept looking back and forth between Rita and Hiro expecting a laugh.

"No, that's not true," Hiro tried to protest. "She's just different. I have never seen anyone like her. She's awesome, she's gorgeous, she's… perfect. And it's not just because she saved me."

"Of course not," Christine interrupted. "Let's not forget I saved you too." She was making a pouting face.

"Well, why not?" Rita suddenly broke out of concentration. "Would you like to meet her?"

"RITA!" Christine shouted.

In an instant, Hiro moved so fast they could not see him. He was suddenly kneeling on the floor before Rita. Hiro's fingers were interlocked as if he were praying, and his eyes looked up and sparkled like a child and a new toy.

"Can I? Can you do that for me? I would give you everything I got."

"Well I know she would like you." Rita said.

"RITA!" Christine shouts again.

"What?" Rita questions innocently. "She's single."

"She's also 130 years old Rita." Christine stated with squinty eyes.

"So!" Rita protests. "If you looked like that when you were 130 do you think anyone would care?"

"No, but it just feels wrong. Hiro you can't be serious." He wasn't listening he was just bowing slave-like to Rita.

"Very well, I'll talk to her. She should visit you in a day or two. I'll let you know."

Hiro jumped up and gave Rita a hug as she was getting out of her seat. She just patted him on the back and walked around him when he let go. He then started jumping around the room happily.

"Come along Christine. Its time we went home, I forbid you to stay in a boys room after bed time." Rita waited for her to follow behind.

"Oh you are so baddd!" Christine commented.

"Quiet! Don't ruin my fun." They both walked out.

Hiro had a hard time sleeping that night. All he could do was grin. He had never noticed, but the sign outside his window would only flash the word Red. The rest of the words weren't working. The sign had never bothered him, but now he could hardly resist the urge to move his bed to get a better view of the sign as he tried to sleep.