CHAPTER 3: Home

Hargrave, Unknown Location, New Mexico/Colorado Border

Hargrave: (to himself) What the hell his happening? My life is spiraling out of control! One minute I'm a perfectly happy, perfectly normal, Marine in Iraq. The next minute I'm some freak with super powers, on the run from the United States government for something I had no control over, I didn't want this to happen! There's only one thing I can do. I need to go home. I need to get answers. Is what I can do even humanly possible? Am I an alien? Did my parents know? If so, why wouldn't they tell me? Warn me? Hopefully I can find some answers.

Hargrave sticks his thumb out and walks backwards with a look on his face like something out of the Incredible Hulk television show's credits. Cars zip by either not noticing or not caring. Finally, an old, red pick-up stops. Surprisingly the driver is a young girl, no older than 19 years old.

Girl: Where to?

Hargrave: Boulder?

Girl: Alright it's on my way, get in.

Hargrave: Thank you so much I can't believe you actually stopped.

Girl: Well I like to think that if I'm ever in that situation someone would stop for me.

Hargrave: That's a great philosophy.

Girl: So why are you heading to Boulder, if you don't mind me asking?

Hargrave: Visiting my mother. She lives just on the edge of the city.

Girl: Ah I see.

Hargrave: How about you where are you headed?

Girl: Anywhere. Nowhere. Wherever.

Hargrave: That wasn't cryptic at all.

Girl: Sorry I needed to get away from my old life.

Hargrave: Bad experience?

Girl: Something like that. So what do you do, for a living I mean?

Hargrave: I was just…discharged from the Marine Corps.

Girl: Oh wow a Marine huh? Pretty impressive.

Hargrave: Yeah I guess.

Girl: Are you hungry? We could stop and get something to eat.

Hargrave: Sure, sounds like a plan.

The two pull into a truck stop and walk up to the counter to order.

Waitress: What can I get ya?

Girl: I'll have the open-faced turkey sandwich and a coke.

Hargrave: I'll just have some coffee please.

Hargrave receives a text message, it reads, Get out. You have 30 seconds. -Rebel-

Hargrave: What the hell?

Girl: What is it?

Hargrave: Somebody just texted me.

Girl: So?

Hargrave: So I'm the only one that knows the number on this phone.

At that moment the lights go out. A man in all black exits a van parked in front of the truck stop and walks to the window along with several heavily armed soldiers with ear plugs in. The man opens his mouth. Hargrave receives another text, "Cover your ears." -Rebel-

At that moment the man emits a high pitched scream shattering the windows and killing everyone in the truck stop, except Hargrave and the girl, they dive behind the counter and hide as the soldiers begin to sweep the building.

Hargrave: What the hell is going on?

Girl: I guess it's time to tell you the truth. My name is Janine Glasgow. Rebel sent me to help you.

Hargrave: Help me? You're just a girl how could you possibly help me?

Glasgow: You'd be surprised.

With a smirk, Glasgow reaches out and touches one of the bricks adorning the counter top. Instantly her entire arm turns to stone.

Hargrave: You?!

Glasgow: Yup. Now why don't you show me what you've got?

Hargrave grabs a stack of plates from under the counter and smiles.

Hargrave: Let's do this.

As one of the soldiers rounds the corner of the counter, Hargrave hurls a plate at him exploding and sending him straight through the window. At that moment Glasgow enacts the full affect of her ability, turning her entire body to stone. Leaping over the counter like a bat out of hell she swings her fists and shatters the skulls of two soldiers. Hargrave launches 2 more plates killing two more soldiers. The Screamer realizes what is going on and readies himself for a sonic explosion. As he opens his mouth to scream Glasgow rushes at him at lands an uppercut with such force he is launched onto the windshield of the van. Then with the accuracy of a shuriken Hargrave sends five flaming plates soaring at the van. The Screamer released a blood curdling shriek as the van exploded creating a mushroom cloud reminiscent of Hiroshima. Glasgow and Hargrave exit the building and head for the truck.

Glasgow: So, home?

Hargrave: Home.