Chapter 3: When and Why?
"So, Hotstreak, why didn't you ever tell us you had a sister?" Talon asked, flying down.
"And she's a Bang Baby." Ebon said, "I saw her use her powers."
"Wait, how's that possible?" Hotstreak looked at Melina, "You were home that night, weren't you?"
"What was I supposed to do? You and your little gang banger ways." Melina said, "I had to go see what you were doing." she said.
"Melina! What did it do to you?" her brother asked.
"Nothing as bad as it did to them." Melina said.
"Hey, just because that gas didn't screw up your face, doesn't mean you're not a freak." Talon said.
"Oh, guess not, but it does mean I can hide it." Melina said.
"That's an insult!" Talon said, coming after her. Melina simply looked at her, her pupils dilating a little bit as she used her powers, freezing Talon in midair.
"I can do this all day." she said, "As I said before, I simply want to live here, go to school, and not be bothered. I do not want to get into trouble." she said.
"Like that's possible for any of the Bang Babies. Even Static has problems." Ebon said, "Face it, Melina, Hotstreak is the only family you have. Where will you stay besides with us?"
"He knows." Melina said, looking at Hotstreak.
"That old rundown place? How will you live?" Hotstreak asked.
Melina sighed, shaking her head, "I have lived on my own for a year or so now." she said.
"Why did you run away anyway?" Hotstreak asked.
Melina sighed, "The night of the Big Bang, I snuck out after you and followed you to the docks." she admitted, "How was I supposed to know what was going on there. I was still a kid. I climbed over the fence, but stayed out of sight, and watched….that is, until the barrels exploded. I tried to run and get out of there, but still ended up inhaling the fumes. Extreme pain in my eyes and head, and I blacked out. I'm surprised the police didn't find me, but they didn't." she said, "I went home after I woke up and after a few days watching your antics against the city on the news, I couldn't stay. I ran away for a while. I managed, though, to keep my powers under wraps, after I found out I had powers. You're not the only one who has anger trigger power issues." Melina said.
"Then, why did you come back?" Hotstreak asked.
"I don't really know." she said, "Finish school without much question. Find you." she said.
"Hotstreak, come here, we've gotta talk about this one." Ebon said.
The two went somewhere private.
"So, you're really Hot head's sister, aye?" Shiv asked, looking at Melina. He whistled a bit, looking her up and down, now that Hotstreak was gone. He knew he could get away with it.
"I would advise you to keep your eyes off those areas." Melina said, her pupils dilating again as she made his head go up.
"Okay! Okay!" Shiv said. She released him, "God, you and your brother sure do act alike." Shiv said, rubbing his head which had felt like it was going to implode.
Melina smirked a bit to herself as she stood there.
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"Hotstreak, man, you gotta talk her into teaming up with us." Ebon said, "I've seen how her powers work. She could be a very valuable asset to The Metahuman Breed."
"Ebon, I know my sister, she has a conscience. She's always refused to do anything gang related." Hotstreak said.
"Come on, man, talk to her. Tell her you don't want her staying in a run down old hole in the wall. Talk her into it." Ebon said, "She could immobilize Static and make it impossible for him to even use his powers. We could own the city."
"I'll do my best." Hotstreak said.
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They arrived back at the abandoned subway.
"So, what did you talk about?" Shiv asked.
"I do not believe that is any of your business." Hotstreak said.
"Talon, Shiv, you're with me, we're going out on a little shopping spree." Ebon said.
When the three of them left, Melina looked at Hotstreak, "Francis, let me guess, you talked about me." she said.
"'Lina, don't call me that. If not Hotstreak, F-Stop, please?"
"No, Francis. You know I don't like the gang things." she said, "And I do not want to stay here and become part of them.
"Melina, come on. Really. We could use your help. Do you know how we are treated around here?" Hotstreak asked.
"Well, if you wouldn't have been such a hot head when you first got your powers, you could pass as a regular human…so could Shiv. I have no reason to help Ebon or Bird girl."
"See, exactly. That's how everyone is." Hotstreak said, "Besides, I do not want my little sister living in that old run down hold in the wall."
"Fine." she said, "I can do simple robberies. I've had to do it before, but I'm not hurting people or causing damages." Melina said, "I mean it, Francis."
"Done." Hotstreak said, "Now come on, Ebon and the others could use your help, I'm sure."
