Chapter 11: Familiar Face

I've been careless.

After becoming embroiled in an international conflict, I was now in danger of being cornered and exploited. If I didn't lay low I knew there would be serious consequences which could affect my future and reputation. As the days went by after that event, I did became more tense and paranoid. At this point in time, I decided to not use my powers.

- Alyssa


The first week being back in Spain has been really disconcerting. The news epidemic and furor has not died down, in fact it was in every paper and news report, even in Spain. Even in class during lessons a lot of students talked about it, especially the nerds. I would often hear comments from them, their theorise about the powers of this mystery woman and how powerful she really is.

What disturbed me the most was when an artist's sketch of the mystery woman was released. The sketch clearly resembled me, every line every shape and every symmetry resembled mine. A few of my friends in my clique joked and teased me by saying the mystery girl was me. They even mocked my denial by asking me to perform the same tricks the mystery girl could perform. One of them got out a pen and asked me if I could make it float with my mind. I told them I couldn't do it but they tried to trick me by suddenly dropping the pen and hoping I would catch it in midair and prevent it hitting the ground. Luckily I was able to keep my TK deactivated by not focusing on the pen. This was getting out of hand, I did want to break away from the group, but I didn't want to appear too suspicious to my friends who I tolerated for their nonsense and immaturity.

One time when I was on my own, I came across a group of nerds who were talking about the mystery girl. I eavesdropped and listened to every word of their theories and speculations who the mystery girl was. It stirred a weird feeling in my stomach when they suspected I could be the mystery girl because I looked like the one in the description. Oh great, now they are going to be talking a lot about me and making everyone suspicious, or worse; they'll be stalking me. Guess I shouldn't be around people for the majority of the time, no using my powers, not even behind closed doors. Even if I was behind closed doors and practiced my powers, they could have access to neat advanced technology. What are those special camera called, snake-cams? I really should ask J.R. about this, no I shouldn't. Some nerds are expert hackers and could infiltrate my messages. As much as it pains me to do this, I had to readapt to using my hands again. That also means no more zapping, morphing and of course no flying. Just had to live everyday life like normal, like I used to do. Keep doing the things I loved, socialising, studying, clubbing and all the things I like doing. A not so average girl can have fun you know without powers.


„Oh no I don't believe this," distressed Clarissa reading mail.

„You don't believe what?" I asked.

„They've increased our rent again. Greedy bastard our landlord is."

„Yeah you're right about that, what are we going to have to do?" I pondered, starting to panic about impending money issues.

„Looks like you might need to work part time."

„Me work part time?"

„Well yeah, I mean hello, I have a part time job you know and a relationship should I remind you."

„Oh yeah how's it going?"

„Terrible, and it's nothing to joke about Alyssa. Our last date was a travesty, he stiffed me on the bill. That was money well spent, spent a whole twenty on him."

Clarissa's boyfriend I have never met before or even know his name, but by the sounds of it, he sounded like a toxic person.

„Sounds like a moocher if you ask me."

„I bet Charles never treats you like that," signed Clarissa.

„No he doesn't, he pays most of the bill. I only throw in a fiver."

„Yeah, I guess you're lucky to have him."

I sat next to Clarissa on her bed and convinced, „Look I know you are being patient with him and you want to give him a chance, but you can't let him take advantage of you like that. It's not what boyfriends should do."

„You're right Alyssa, I can forgive him for mooching off of me one time, but not tonight. He either breaks open his wallet or he breaks this relationship." I laughed at Clarissa's quip and we both shared the laughter. „Anyway got to fly Alyssa, enjoy your night out."

Clarissa got up and walked to the door and as she was gone, I was reminded of how it's been a while since I last flew. The last time I flew was back in the UK when I got entangled in a warzone. I still have nightmares about how I could have lost my life had I not been focused and used my powers strategically. I decided to take my mind off the ordeal and get ready to meet my friends at the pub we agreed to meet at.

I was dressed and titivated with make up before going out into the streets in the hot weather where the clouds were grey and no sun was in sight. I hadn't eaten anything, I was too nervous to eat, which was what my stomach was telling me. Part of me didn't feel like going out and being surrounded by people who've seen my face on the news and would more likely identify me as the mystery woman. Nonetheless I thought socializing with my friends would be a good way to calm my nerves.

Before I left, I nearly used my TK to retrieve the house keys lying on the kitchen side, but resisted the urge. „Not a good start," I said to myself, knowing how close I was to relapsing.


I arrived at the pub, or should I say „taberna" which translates „pub" in Spanish. The place was crowded and smoke engulfed the room. Everyone there was twice my age and I already felt like the centre of attention. I was already dressed like a high class English lady while everyone else wore cheap tacky looking clothes. I pressed deeper in the pub hoping to see if any of my friends arrived. The thick smoke assaulted my eyes and I tried not to breath it in, I noticed a couple of greasy sweaty men looking at me pervertedly.

After tiresome searching and getting out of that poison I've been trying not to breath in, I saw none of my friends had arrived. Was I in the right place? Maybe I was early and I had to wait for them, but to be honest, I would have asked if we could hang out somewhere else.

I then noticed there was a TV hung on the wall behind the bar which everyone started to pay attention to. Uh-oh, it was just as I feared, it was an update regarding the mystery girl who fought the pro Russian forces in the Ukraine. There on the TV was president Vladimir Putin with the artists depiction to his left. The Spanish dubbing made it clear for me to understand what was being said and I found out I've been declared an enemy of Russia. Immediately I felt sick in the stomach and woozy in the head… I needed to use the ladies' room.

The ladies room was empty, dark and dingy but the perfect place of solitude. I threw up and washed my face and tried to clear my head and control my nerves. Knowing that it was too risky to go back outside because everyone has seen the artist's sketch and would start making comparisons, I decided to go back to my flat. I texted my friends on WhatsApp and told them I was too ill, which I'm sure they would understand.

Looking for another way out apart from the bathroom's only door, I saw a long rectangle outside window leading outside. This was it, my backdoor. I wasn't going to simply try and open the window and climb out, but then again I had vowed to not use my powers. Unfortunately this was the most efficient and effective way. Taking a deep breath I looked in the mirror, concentrated and thought of liquid and sinking into the ground. Of course I turned into a liquid mannequin and slowly sank into a puddle. I flowed over to the window and slithered up the wall. I leaked through the opening and was finally out in the humid hot sun.

After I morphed back I found myself in an alley and had assumed undetected, that was until I looked to my side and realised I wasn't alone. There before my very eyes was a homeless man. He was aged at least over 50, was completely bald and beardless, looked very dirty and was wearing no shoes or socks. His clothes were thin and tattered, just like the typical homeless person wore. He was in shock and disbelief of what he just saw, he gasped, „Madre de dios." Which I know translates to the common Spanish phrase to express disbelief „Mother of God."

I looked at him and smiled with embarrassment, waved and then took off.


By the time I got back to my flat, even panicking on the way, it was already sunset and the block of flats was shrouded in the already casting shades in the sky. My hands were shaking as I tried to key the door. I could obviously morph and seep through under the door, but I chose not to and make using my powers a habit.

I opened the door and hurried in and closing it behind me, feeling safe and isolated from society, but then another surprise would await me.

„Hello Alyssa," I looked in the direction and saw J.R. was sitting on my bed with one leg crossed over the other.

My heart skipped a beat and after I caught my breath I questioned, „J.R. what are you doing here?"

„I think it's time you and I had a talk," smiled J.R. looking smug.

„J.R. please, this isn't a good time for me. My roommate with be back soon."

„Speaking of company, I've brought a friend with me."

„Helllloooo Alyssa," toned a black sounding voice from the shadows, the black man stepped out of the shadows. It was Ray.

„Ray, what are you doing here?"

„Just dropping by to have a little chat, Annie and her superiors know about your little trip to the Ukraine."

„Oh great, I'm in trouble, ain't I?"

J.R. smiled and took his time before answering, „Well you're in the orange, if that's what you want to know."

I frowned, forgotten the protocols, stages, alerts or whatever they were called.

„Okay you forgot them, well let me remind you. Orange means you are being offered support and guidance so we can help you keep a low profile until this whole frenzy dies down. It's what happens when anyone raises suspicion and it becomes the most talked about thing amongst the public."

„You want to help me?" I asked, still feeling my heart beat in my chest, feeling tension and nerves.

„Well of course, I'm your mentor and friend aren't I?"

„Yes you are," I acquiesced.

Ray grumbled, „You're not forgetting me, I'm also your guide and mentor as well as your friend. We are friends, aren't we?"

Feeling hysterical, I answered Ray's question, „Yes, yes you are."

„Good, let's get started. Sorry if it sounds like an interrogation, but you understand why this has to be done?"

„Yes, yes I do. I'll tell you anything." I was shaking everywhere, even my knees were turning to jelly. I needed to sit.

„Would you look at that J.R., just like Alex. She's glowing like a lightbulb."

Ray wasn't lying, I could feel myself illuminated in a bright yellow light, looking at my hands I could see them glow. I hope no one saw me in this state.

„Now Alyssa, you need to stay calm and tell us everything, what happened and what your concerns are. If you don't tell us, we can't help you. Do you understand?"

„Yes, yes I do."

Ray and J.R.'s persistent badgering whether I understood the situation, didn't annoy me, in fact it felt more comforting.

„Good, because I wouldn't want you to go into the red, otherwise you would have to say goodbye to your friends and family."

„J.R., that's not appropriate," disapproved Ray, punching J.R. in the arm quite firmly.

My skin started to burn and I was feeling the heat all over. The glowing got more intense and I was lighting half the room.

„Alyssa, I'm sorry. It was wrong of me. I shouldn't have scared you. Just sit down and let's talk, I promise it's going to be fine."

I swallowed the heavy lump in my throat and sat calmly down in front of Ray and J.R. both smiling and willing to help.

„You know what, why don't I make us some drinks?" suggested Ray, getting off his seat and heading to the kitchen.


Once everyone had a drink in their hands, we started talking. I wasn't too keen on drinking even if it was non-alcoholic, I was more keen to answer the questions I was given. My questioning (rather not call it an interrogation) was being recorded, which I consented to.

„So what happened on the day your visit to the Ukraine happened?" asked J.R.

„You know when I said I was meeting a friend in the Salisbury area in the cafe?"

„Yeah."

„That wasn't true, I made it up. I wanted to go flying."

„You did? Then why didn't you say so, I would have joined you?"

„No it wasn't that (my lips were dry, so I nipped my drink before confessing.) I kind of wanted to go flying on my own, because I truly wanted to enjoy the experience and not just hide in the clouds. I'm sorry I just hope you can understand."

I really felt like crying, but J.R.'s voice prevented me from doing so.

„Alyssa it's okay I understand. I did the same thing with my power and I did a lot of reckless things at first. I'm talking about things that could have led to my death."

„Like what?" I was keen and curious to know what he could have done that nearly got him killed. It would be something I could relate to and truly find consolation.

„It's a long story, but I'll tell you sometime after you've answered all our questions, deal?"

„Deal," I responded contently.


I spent a good ten nerve-racking minutes synopsizing my side of the story and answering questions at intervals. The questions were benign and casual, it didn't feel like being at a police interrogation, not that I ever have been to a police interview before.

After the interview was over, Ray turned off the recorder and reminded me that this would be sent to headquarters where it would be determined what would be the next step. It did make me extremely nervous and paranoid, it was like finishing a test and hoping to get good results. I even asked how long it would take and I was allayed to know it would be less than 24 hours.

Before I could answer anymore questions, I would hear shouting outside, it sounded ugly. It got even more uglier when I heard that one of the voices was my roommate, Clarissa. I'm not good with confrontations, but I knew for the sake of Clarissa being my friend, I had to intervene.

I got up and ran to the door hearing J.R.'s voice behind me.

„Alyssa wait!"

I stepped outside and saw Clarissa and her boyfriend (whose name I overheard as Renaldo) standing on the balcony under a bright light.

„Go home Renaldo, it's over. I don't want to see you again," yelled Clarissa already in tears.

„You're not going anywhere bitch, you need me and I need you. You know that."

„No I don't need you. You're a sponger and a sick pervert, you don't know how to treat a lady."

„Clarissa don't you walk away from me."

Clarissa's was now directed at me and she hurried towards me, hoping for protection against the persistent and shifty looking Renaldo.

„Alyssa please help me."

Clarissa asking for my help gave me deja vu, back to when I was constrained to help those poor civilians back in the Ukraine. Renaldo looked at me with fierce eyes that were wild like a tiger's. Clarissa gripped my arm while Renaldo stepped towards us looking aggressive and frightening. I could use my powers to stop him, but I didn't want to expose myself to him, my powers that is. Instead I stuck out my arm trying to keep him away.

„Renaldo go home, Clarissa wants nothing to do with you anymore," I warned, trying to calm my nerves and sound firm.

„Back off bitch, Clarissa is mine."

„Don't call me a bitch, I have a name you know."

„Okay what is your name then?" asked Renaldo, gleaming his conspicuously white painted teeth.

„Alyssa."

„Well Alyssa would you please stand aside, go back in your flat and leave Clarissa and I to some unfinished business?"

It was quite obvious that Renaldo had been drinking, I know the eyes of a drunkard when I see one. I know drunk people can be very violent, but I was unsure if Renaldo was potentially violent. Reluctant to step back and let Renaldo reclaim Clarissa, I said what would seal the outcome of the situation.

„No, leave Clarissa alone."

„Oh and what if I don't, what are you going to do about it? What is a scrawny girl like you going to do against someone like me? You think you could take me bitch? If you don't want to get hurt, I suggest you back away now."

Hearing him call me a bitch really aggravated me and I knew this was going to get violent. What were those moves Ray taught me? Damn it's been a long time. I had no choice, I had to use my powers to deal with him, but luckily someone intervened to take care of the problem.

„Woah what's going on here, some melodrama?" Questioned Ray, stepping in front of me and barricading me with his arm. „What's this I hear about you getting violent with two fragile ladies? (tuts) Not good, did your mother ever tell you that hitting a lady is a no go?"

„Get out of my way gringo, this is non of your business," warned Renaldo, gritting his teeth.

„That I cannot comply with because I'm also going to ask you to leave," reasoned Ray, displaying bravado, most expected from a military man such as himself.

„You dare give me orders gringo, you have no idea what I'm capable of."

„Well you have no idea what I'm capable of."

Renaldo frowned in confusion and could not elucidate Ray's tenacity.

„You looking to get hurt or something, because that's what's going to happen if you don't get out of the way."

Ray didn't quiver from Renaldo's threat, he was stubborn and allowed Renaldo to lean into him. Renaldo violently grabbed Ray's shirt, but Ray deflected his arms and struck him with an open palm and he went flying back.

Renaldo then whipped out a switchblade from his pocket, and pointed it at way. He advanced with the look or scorn and anger towards Ray. He slashed at Ray's throat, but he missed him. Then he attempted to stick the blade in his abdomen, but Ray grabbed his hand and swiftly disarmed him and flicked the blade away.

„Now that wasn't cool, do you know many people die a year from knife attacks?" asked Ray, still having Renaldo in a wrist lock.

Renaldo didn't listen, instead he adhered his determination to overpower Ray, thought he still had a chance against a Navy Seal.

Suddenly I heard a familiar voice in my ear, „Alyssa, if you may. I think it's time to take out the trash."

Knowing it was J.R. who shrunk himself and flew into my ear, he gave me a clue how to dispose of Renaldo. I knew where the rubbish container was, I looked over the balcony and saw the large blocky container on wheels with a yellow lid. This was probably the most subtle and crafty way to use my TK without anyone noticing. I focused on the container and imagined it moving. Without any struggle the container wheeled it's way towards the balcony, which was where I wanted it. I opened the lid for what was about to come next.

Ray was still engaged in a fight against Renaldo, who was clearly outmatched against Ray. Renaldo just dived towards Ray who just ducked and grabbed him then threw him over the balcony where he landed directly into the open garbage container.

We all walked down to the ground level to watch Renaldo climb out of the garbage container, covered in various types of garbage, looking disheveled and in a literal mess. Still looking angry, but humiliated, he stormed off. It was more than likely this wouldn't be the last I or even Clarissa would see from him, as it was likely his beef would be with Ray for humiliating him.

„Are you alright Clarissa," I asked, seeing how shocked she looked despite Renaldo was out of the picture.

„Yeah I'm fine Alyssa," responded Clarissa trying to catch her breath.

Ray turned to look at us, his elegant American smile was gleaming, and quipped, „Men… hey, as tough as they look, they're soft on the inside."

I smiled at Ray's irony, knowing he's a man and he disparaged his own gender.

„You sure you're okay Clarissa,? You sure don't look it," asked Ray.

„I think she's traumatised by the whole ordeal," I commented.

„Hey I have an idea, how about I take you some place fancy. Don't worry about money, it's on me," offered Ray, looking into Clarissa's passive eyes as she lifted a gentle smile and nodded.

I watched Clarissa get into Ray's luxurious sports car, and I just realised, it's the same one he took me in when I first met him.

Where's J.R.? Is he still in my ear? He hasn't turned up since the altercation with Renaldo, I don't think I saw him leave my flat.

„Hey J.R. my man, where have you been?" smiled Ray, looking past my shoulder.

„Needed to be somewhere safe, I don't like confrontations," joked J.R., appearing behind me, which I will admit made me jump a little. Was he really the type that would evade danger? If so then it looks like him and I have something in common. Him and I are both pacifists and that was the type of person I always wanted to be.

„Well if it's okay with you I'm taking Clarissa out and show her a good time. Why don't you have fun with Alyssa in the meantime?"

„I intend to, her and I have a lot to talk about," said J.R. standing closer by my side.

„Remember Charles," warned Clarissa with a smile, before Ray drove off with her sitting comfortably in the passenger seat.

Watching Ray's car roar into the distance and whizzed like a firefly, I looked at J.R.'s eager smiling face.

„So, how about another drink?"

To be continued...