What once was lost #3

Chapter 2: FFFFFFFFFF-!

Chin propped up with one hand, book in the other, my eyes scanned the pages at fast speeds, taking in every word and letter that appeared next.

Today was a slow day, there were only about 23 kids in the library, and most of them were on the computers. Every once and awhile, another kid would wander in, escaping the end of summer heat. Sometimes one would ask for help in finding a specific book, others would just sit down and take a nap, most migrated to the playroom, where all the floors were covered in a padded carpet, and played around with the plastic balls or relaxed in the AC filled environment.

Yeah. to think that 23 kids are a slow day, that's saying something.

Echo was in a large cupboard under my desk, she was reading a book written in braille, but rather than using her fingers to read the dotted symbols, she was using her echolocation. It took her a bit to get it down, but she was successful after a couple of months. She's a fast learner.

I'm so proud.

I had already called the families of kids who had overdo books, as well as placated some parents who called frantically searching for their kids, only to sigh in relief at their presence here. When i had first arrived here,

An explosion in the computer lab had me throwing my book onto the desk and racing in that direction, grabbing the fire extinguisher along the way. When i saw the inflamed computer and the kid in front of it, I pulled the pin and trigger, sweeping back and forth as the fire immediately became tame and died out. I put the extinguisher down and reached to the boy, checking his body for any wounds or burns. Other kids and teens ran toward us, the teens making sure no one got to close.

"Daniel! Are you ok, any injuries?" i asked, checking his pulse, breathing rate, and pupil dilation as i fretted over him. He coughed, then laughed hard.

I blinked, "what are you laughing about, the computer just exploded in your face!" i asked.

"Sorry miss A, i noticed someone hacking into the database, and i… kinda interfered…" he said sheepishly, smoke and pyrocool all over his face and cheeks as he blushed. Ah. Adrenaline.

I sighed, falling to my knees, "but why did you have to use that one?" i asked, gesturing to the melted computer, "that was my favorite!"

The grin fell from his twelve year old face, "... m'sorry." he mumbled.

I sighed once more, it really wasn't that expensive. I should know. I payed for it. Along with most everything else here. "...guess i'll just have to get a better one."

His head snapped up, "what? Really?"

I nodded, "of course, this computer lab needs an update anyways, perhaps microsoft?" i shook my head, "i'll think about it later, i just have one last thing to say to you," my thoughtful look turned stern as i stared at the twelve year old.

The kids around us held their breath as daniel gulped, "...yeah?"

I leaned toward him, scrutinizing him, before a smirk placed itself on my face, "did you kick his butt?"

He blinked before a smirk was on his face too, "i doubt his computer even works anymore."

I let myself laugh before standing up to my full height, "alright then, i better call the fire department and make sure that-"

The sirens outside had me sighing again, "...or i'll just let them know that i had handled it myself." daniel nodded, moving to stand up, but i grabbed his arm, "and where do you think you're going?"

He gestured to his face, then the bathroom, "to get cleaned up?"

I grinned evilly, "au contraire, you were in an explosion, albeit a very small one. Better have the pro's check to see if you're ok." i scooped him up and began carrying him to the entrance doors, his whining causing the other kids to laugh.

Why was i so calm?

Why was i not worried about daniel or Echo, whom of which it still in the cupboard reading?

This was a normal occurrence


"How's danny?" Echo asked, as i picked her up out of her hiding place.

"Completely unharmed, the little turd." i grumbled, remembering the interesting conversation i had with the Chief. That inevitable ended with a proposal for dinner, i tried to let him down easy, but i could tell that he was disappointed.

"But he's a smarty pants." she pointed out as she transformed into the laptop.

"He is a genius, i'll admit it." i said as i picked her up and walked over to the main entrance, "but i wish we would stop blowing up the computers."

All the other kids had already left for home, as the library closed at 5:30 today. It was 6 o'clock, and Echo was positively vibrating with excitement.

"Well yeah, but you explained that he can't help it. Right?"

I nodded pulling out my keys and locking the main door, "that's right. He can't help it because his abilities are too powerful and fast for the computer processor to follow."

I tugged on the door handle, making absolutely sure that the door was locked before continuing on my way.

"Why didn't you bring the bike again?" Echo asked as i began walking down the street.

"It would be too dangerous for me to carry your gift while on the bike, so i have to walk today."

"Is it really that big?" she asked excitedly, switching to chirping and whirring as she tried to probably tell me how excited she was once more.

I put a finger to my mouth, smiling sweetly, "it's a secret~"

I tugged on my long brown hair, I'll probably get it cut soon…

I walked for about 5 minutes to the post office, when i got inside, i made a beeline for the package retrieval. An employee ran the desk by himself, and nodded at me when i walked by. I smiled back at him, "hi joe, has my package arrived yet?"

He nodded, ducking behind the desk and bringing up a large cardboard box. "Here ya go, have a good day Ma'am." he said with a grin while pushing the huge box towards me. I smiled back, grabbing underneath the box containing Echo's gift and heading to the exit. Joe was another guy who had previously asked me on a date, i let him down easily, saying that i couldn't date him, but would be able to be his friend. He's still very flirtatious every once and awhile, but he knows his boundaries.

I strolled out of the old building with a smile on my face, the gift was built by Stark Industries, but modified by Ben & Jake, As both of them realized it's lack of armor and multiple cameras. Echo copies every part of the electronic item she scans and reforms into, so they had a theory that if they modify the item before they give it to her, then she should get the modifications too. Tonight was the night we were going to test that theory.

I got back to the crosswalk, everyone who walked by staring at me. Or more appropriately, the men were ogling, the women were staring, and the children were in awe. I smiled at the kids whom I have seen at the library, their eyes bright with curiosity and wonder.

All kids in the town seemed to flock to me, and there really was no explanation. Ever since i got the job as the town librarian, the kids began returning to the library, Something that all the adults thought impossible. On the rare days that I walked the streets without my bike, kids who have come to the Library always say hi. There has been some speculation about why all the kids come to me, some will think that it's because I'm the first new thing that's come to this town, others, who have way better judgement skills than the rest, believe that my presence is is calming and motherly; a rare few believe that I may have bribed the kids to come to me.

Those are from some of the rich families who have a high influence of this town.

Mind you that I am not calling all of the wealthy families in this town influential.

Just the ones I have only met once.

I stepped up to a street corner, a family with two children waiting for the crosswalk light to signal crossing. The kids, twin boys by the names of Jack and Jace, pranced up to my side. Asking me many questions about why I had a box and what was in it. I told them I couldn't reveal my secret because it is a gift for my daughter, and that she had ears everywhere, and if I were to tell them the gift that I got her, she would surely know within moments.

They giggled, chattering about what I planned on doing about the computer lab incident. I answered as best as I could, as most 4 year old minds (bless their tiny little hearts) can't comprehend the business world just yet.

The crosswalk light signaled for pedestrians to walk, and so began our tiny trek across the street. The kids were jumping from while line to white line, walking next to my long strides as their parents were a only a couple feet behind. The Rev of engines drew my attention. Glancing to my right, I saw a Dodge Challenger, with a giant truck behind it.

And then all I could see was a blur.

And then I'm on the other side of the sidewalk with two kids under my armpits and out of the way of the speeding vehicles that went by just now. The challenger raced on, the blue and red truck following right on his tail. My mind was still trying to comprehend what the heck just happened. I blinked a few times, trying to get clarity of the situation.

My eyes focused again, I recognized the voices of the twins parents crying out their names, the rear of the two vehicles, the screaming of fellow pedestrians and witnesses, and the children squirming under my arms. I swiftly knelt down, releasing the twins. As soon as their feet touched the ground, they raced to their parents, who (after running across the crosswalk) grabbed them and hugged them, tears streaming down the boys and their mother's eyes and their faces pale. I took in everyone else, most had whipped out their phones and were recording us (I scowled at their audacity to videotape this moment), a couple sensible people were actually talking to 911 services and requesting to send an ambulance our way, and others just watched on.

I sighed, and turned back to retrieve the package that I dropped.

Only to find that it wasn't there.

My head whipped to the direction the cars went in, realizing exactly what had happened.

My eyes narrowed, as I pointed in anger at the far off offenders, the first sound of a certain word escaping my lips. I then realised that there were a bunch of children around, so I continued using the sound as I pointed into the distance.

The people watched on in silence, trying to figure out what I was doing.

"miss A, what are you doing?" the twins asked, voicing the question of many.

"trying to be a better adult by not saying the word I so wish to say right now… FFFFFFFFFF-!"

The twin's mom spoke up, "Where is the Box you were holding earlier?"

I gestured to the direction the vehicles went in.

"we can buy you another of the item you… erm… lost." their father said politely.

"with all due respects Mr. Richards, the item in that box was very expensive." I replied curtly, still pissed that the dodge stole Echo's present.

"I insist." he pressed, standing up with a twin on his hip and walking over to me.

"It was Stark Tech." His steps faltered momentarily, eyes wide, "yeah. So you don't have to pay me back. Just make sure that your kids are ok and all will be good." he nodded holding his son closer, his mind was clearly in a fight between paying me back regardless and relief that he didn't have to, if his facial expressions were anything to go by.

The sounds of sirens had everyone turning to face the ambulance that had just arrived. I sighed, here we go again…


I opened the unlocked door of my house, taking off my coat and throwing it onto the coat hanger nearby. Walking over to the living room, I took off the backpack and gently put it on the couch, unzipping it as to let Echo out. She attacked me in a hug, I playfully rolled backwards and landed on my back. Echo sat upon my chest, looking at my face with her shattered optics, "it's ok danni, it wasn't your fault. you can get me another present later ok?"

I sighed, thinking about Ben & Jake reactions about Echo not getting her gift, stupid challenger...

Echo curling into my neck had me smiling gently, I held her close as I stood up. Heading to the master bedroom and falling to the bed as soon as it was within reach, Echo giggling as I fell.

"what did I do to get a daughter like you?" I murmured, curling around her as to protect her from the world and all of its hidden evils.

"you found me!~" she whispered back, purring as I caressed her back. I hummed thoughtfully, a soft smile crossing my face.

"that I did." I said, remembering the first time I found her and took her from that hell. She was asleep within seconds, my eyes droopy as I followed close behind.

"that I did…"