COLD AS ICE: Part 1

KATIE:

It was the hottest week in Mutant Town. Literally. The average temperature from the forecast were in the high 80's and 90's, covering the city in a heavy block of unbearable heat. Parts of freshly paved asphalt were melting again, the brick walls were searing hot to touch, and you could not stand walking outside without breathing fire down your throats and your body blanketed in sweat.

Inside our office was just slightly better. At least it would be if our air conditioner was working. Jamie currently had the rusty wall unit sitting on the desk as he was continuously banging on it with his fist. He was currently wearing a black t-shirt with green circles, as well as having his standard pair of jeans on with black sneakers. Guido, Monet, and Rahne were sitting on the couch, miserable and stripped of their jackets, leaving on t-shirts or tank-tops. Siryn and I just leaned against a wall, each using a magazine to try and fan ourselves cool. Rictor was sitting on a seat drenched in sweat, and Layla was leaning on the desk, annoyed by the constant thumping of Jamie's fist on the air conditioner.

"You're going to break it," Layla groaned.

"I'm not going to break it!" Jamie said, "This stupid thing just needs a little whack and-"

And his fist ended up right through the shell of the air conditioner, leaving a gaping hole on it. Our air conditioner was officially dead.

"Well, great!" Rictor said angrily.

"I warned you!" Layla added in.

"Hey come on!" Jamie complained, "This thing is ancient and-" With a yell of frustration, he just threw the air conditioner off the desk and onto the floor, breaking it even more.

"Ay, yi, yi! I just can't work in this heat!" Guido said, "Even Rahne isn't feeling so good about this!" Rahne was panting on the couch, her tongue sticking out like a dog.

"Hey, part wolf here!" Rahne panted as her excuse.

"Jamie, if you had just listened to me and called the repairman-" Monet began before Jamie snapped back.

"I said I could fix it!"

"Except you didn't!"

"I said I THINK I could fix it!"

Things began to heat up in the room, this time figuratively. Arguments started to spring from each member, their words and tones creating a web of tension and discomfort. I needed to put an end to this, and I think I might have an idea. I turned to Siryn and asked if she could get everyone's attention. With a relieved look, she nodded.

"HEY!" Siryn called out, her screech verberating across the room. It wasn't loud enough to break glass this time, but it did get everybody's attention as they all turned to face us.

"Thanks," I said to Siryn, who responded with a smile.

"Okay, obviously this heat is unbearable," I said to the others, "And it's causing us all to experience some tension."

"Gee, ya think?" Rahne said only to be shushed by Monet.

"So, I think we all need a way to cool off," I said, "Take a break. Get this stress off all our backs." There were murmurs of agreement among the group.

"A break would actually be nice," Jamie said.

"I definitely could use one!" Guido said.

"Oui, I think we all do," Monet agreed.

"Sweet! But where would we go?" Layla asked.

"Glad you asked!" I responded, "I was thinking we could all go to Coney Island!"

"Coney Island?" Jamie asked.

"Yeah!" I said excitedly, "I mean, I've never been there, but I heard it's a great spot to cool off! You know, with the roller coasters, the pier, the sea…"

"I'm not so sure about being near the ocean," Rahne said concerned.

"Oh come now Rahne, it should be fun!" Monet said.

"All right!" Jamie said happily, "Guys, looks like work's off for the day because we are going to Coney Island!"

JAMIE:

Immediately I felt a relief as we all entered the bus, which thankfully was air conditioned. Admittedly the fare for eight people riding to Coney Island nearly killed my mood, but once we paid and settled in, it was smooth sailing, so to speak. All of us had changed into "beach wear," which mainly consisted of shorts, sandals, and either t-shirts or tank-tops that were our respective colors. I'm not sure WHY we have respected colors seeing as we're just a team of private investigators, but I guess old habits die hard. Some of us, like Monet and Siryn were wearing sunglasses, and we were all carrying bags that contained water bottles, an extra set of clothes, and our swimwear. We were all set for a day at Coney Island!

"So you're saying the Cyclone is the oldest roller coaster in the nation?" Katie asked excitedly, "How is it still standing after all these years?"

"Probably a lot of maintenance and dedicated workers," Monet replied.

"Ah, I don't do roller-coasters," Guido said, "I mean, who'd want to sit in a tiny metal rickety train car rolling at high speeds on unstable tracks when you're my size?"

"Don't worry Guido," Monet said with a reassuring pat, "There's some other stuff we can do there. I hear they recently opened a hall of mirrors."

"Just as long as we aren't touching any water I'll be fine," Rahne said.

"What is it with you and water?" Katie asked, to which Siryn gave her a quick pat on the arm to draw her attention.

She had a bad experience when we were just X-Factor, she signed, Part of a prank a couple of the boys played.

"No!" Katie said snickering, "Seriously?"

"What did she say?" Rahne asked angrily.

"Just that you're more of a werecat than a werewolf," Layla said with a smirk.

"Why do I even talk to you guys?" Rahne said in anger.

"Wow!" Katie said, "People sure are excited about going to Coney Island." I turned to see that there was some commotion in the bus, as a bunch of people were looking out the windows, some of them standing. The bus slowly crawled to a stop as it pulled over, and people began filing out. We followed them to the side of the road to see what they were seeing.

It was Coney Island all right, except VERY different. For starters, it was snowing, in the middle of July. The boardwalk of Coney Island was covered in snow and ice, and large jagged ice spikes erupted from the pier. Something happened over here, obviously. And it was definitely unusual! Katie looked particularly surprised.

"Just for the record, when I said let's cool off at Coney Island, this isn't what I meant!"