The cool chilly wind of the hospital rooftop brushed against my nose, reminding me of the time and the oncoming night.

I blinked dazedly and turned my head to the side. The dusking sky was quite a beautiful sight. The colours of Purple, Yellow, and Gold intermingled to create a beautiful mirage that illuminated the cloudy skies of Brockton Bay.

Looking at such sights made me yawn, both in drowsiness and boredom. I had been waiting here for nearly half an hour now, idly listening to my phone for some music and just watching the ground below as I await for my rooftop companion.

It had been a busy day, I observed. There had been more than the regular amount of ambulances dispatched compared to the previous Friday when I was here. Using my profound observation and through the dozen bugs I've implanted around the building, I came to a conclusion that there had been a gang altercation at the fringes of the dockyards between the street level Merchant members and some police officers of the BBPD. Some say that the PRT was involved; though if they did, there would be more ambulances dispatched than it is now.

I raised my hand into the sky and reached into the heavens, grasping things that are not there. I also did the same for my other hand, then it turned into a stretching session with lots of sleepy enthusiasm. God, I didn't sleep last night.

I lowered down one of my stretched hands and checked on my watch. It was cheap and not too fancy, but it did its job by telling me it was Seven in the afternoon. It's still not dark enough to be worried, but it should also be the same time the person I was waiting for arrived. That person being, Amy Dallon.

Speak thy name and she cometh. Just as I thought of her, I heard the opening of the roof hut door that leads down the building. Still don't know what those things are called, despite sleeping atop of those for a couple of times now, just called them roof huts for the lack of a better word.

She didn't see me at first, fiddling with her handbag and all to find her phone or something. She eventually spotted me after rummaging and taking out a small, sleek looking phone. Furthermore, she was shocked and surprised to see me, but that expression quickly turned into neutral annoyance in a matter of seconds. Her face reverted to her natural, resting bitch face.

"You were at my school earlier," She narrowed her eyes, "Why?"

I raised an eyebrow and got up from where I was seating, that being the literal edge of the roof. I dusted off my butt and jumped down to the "ground". Grabbing something from my jacket, I pulled out a box of cigarettes. I pulled one and offered her the cancer stick. Predictably, she refused.

The first time I offered her one, I was surprised when she told me that she didn't smoke and that it's quite unhealthy for anyone to do it. I did remember her smoking often in the story due to the stresses in her life, but I guess she's yet to reach that point.

I pulled out a lighter and attempted to light the cigarette to no avail. She tried to speak again, but I held out a finger to signify to her to let me finish off what I'm doing first. She was annoyed, this was an unnecessary power move, and she knew it. Finally, after more attempts, I was finally able to light the cigarette and took a massive breath from it. A second later, I puffed a huge cloud of smoke out of my mouth, feeling relaxed for the moment.

"Well? Are you done? Why were you at my school earlier," She demanded, glaring at me with suspicion and frustration that just came out akin to a child's pouting.

I turned to her, and said, "You know, for someone so meek and a person claiming to be a pacifist, you sure are violent,"

Amy frowned her brow and walked past me, she found a small enclosed radiator and leaned atop it. "I am. It's just you, a stranger who keeps bothering me on the hospital rooftops every Fridays has just been spotted on where I regularly go for my education,"

I glanced at her on the side, and smirked a little, "Should I expect a restraining order anytime soon? You're painting me like I'm a creepy stalker or something,"

Amy scoffed, "And you aren't?" She asked sarcastically, eyebrows raised.

I faced her, now sporting a full-blown grin. Amy was quite unnerved by it, "No offense, A-Girl. But you aren't really stalking material,"

I let out a small chuckle, seeing the furious expression on her face. I eyed her up and down, which infuriated her even more. She was wearing her usual cape costume, white robe and hood, and scarf. Giant Red-Cross insignia in front and behind her cloak. And a silky alabaster scarf covering her angry, freckled face.

"I'm not sure to be relieved or be insulted," She growled under her breath.

We stayed quiet after that, just waiting for… something, really. Amy was waiting for her sister to arrive to fly her home, while I was just here to smoke and relax the day.

I had been hanging out on the rooftops of the Brockton Bay General Hospital ever since her sister, Taylor, had been hospitalized due to the Locker incident. Originally, I was just here to hang out and relieve some stress by smoking, but then on one faithful evening, I encountered one of Earth Bet's most powerful parahuman.

Nothing really happened, actually. We ignored each other on our first meeting and the other two more encounters. It was on our fourth meeting that I decided to strike up a conversation. It was awkward. I first asked about the weather, which in hindsight is it came out as cliché and creepy. She was reluctant, quite so that she called on the security guards to escort me off the building. Thankfully, I was successful in pleading with her to call them off.

Sensing the sudden and awkward air, I decided to break the ice. I quickly took one last hit of my cigarette and threw it to the side. Of course, I crushed it first. No need to cause a hospital fire now.

"So. How's your day been? Pretty shitty as per usual?" I asked in a calm tone, almost muttering it offhandedly. I also made sure to look into the distance to make it, so I look cool and detached about the question.

Sadly, it didn't work, as she asked me a question of her own, "Why were you at my school?"

I paused for a moment, thinking if I should answer her question truthfully or not, but I had already seen enough about her personality to know that she won't have any ill intentions about it. So I answered her in truth.

"... My sister goes there," I said, "She was the reason why I hang around this hospital all those weeks ago,"

She was silent, processing the new information, "... The locker girl," she muttered unconsciously, "She's your sister?"

I furrowed my brows and glanced at her with annoyance plastered on my face, "Please don't call her by that name. That title will constantly remind her of something traumatic, and something that she really, really shouldn't remember... and yes, she's my younger sister,"

Amy glanced to the side, slightly abashed while muttering something I couldn't hear. We devolved into another bout of awkward silence. It seems that even after a dozen or so visits, she still didn't consider me as her friend. But who would have? Actually, I do know some people who will just befriend any person the moment they meet, but you get the point. Who would trust a random stranger that they only interact with for only a couple of minutes every once a week? Certainly not someone outside of Panacea's caliber.

Right?

Gingerly, the fuzzy brunette slowly opened up and asked me a question, "You never did answer why you were at my school,"

I turned away from her fully, and stared at the falling sky, "I never did, did I?" I muttered. Then suddenly, I spun to face her again, much to her amusement.

"Say, how about a deal, my dear panacea?" I eloquently asked, "A question for a question and an answer for another? Whaddya say? Sounds fair, eh?"

Still weirded out and raising an eyebrow, she reluctantly answered, "... I'll consider it. What's your question, then?"

"Quite simple, really," I said in a smug Lisa-ish voice, "How has your day been, Amy. I know that doing something like what you do every day must be straining on anyone, so I'm asking how your holding up,"

Amy was taken aback, not expecting anyone to ask about how had her day had been. The only people who ever inquired about her daily activities were her sister Victoria and her adopted father. And for all the time she spent interacting with Anthony, she had only ever regarded him as a weirdo and an acquaintance at best. So when he bluntly asked how her day had been, she was caught off guard pretty easily.

She quickly regained her composure and replied in a brisk and straightforward manner, "I'm fine. Why are you asking?" She eyed me with suspicion.

I shrugged, "Dunno. Just curious about how your life goes behind the scenes, you know? Besides, any answer will suffice. After you answered my question, you can ask yours," I concluded.

Hearing that, Amy seems to mull over the idea of answering at first but eventually decided to reply, "Okay then, my day has been shit like always. Healing for hours was exhausting, and my feet are cramped. Can you tell me why you were at Arcadia now?"

I gave her an inquisitive eyebrow, then shook my head, "Oh Pan-pan. I need more info than that. Can you elaborate more on your answer, please?" I said while waving my index finger at her in a knowing gesture.

She frowned, not wanting to give more information about her personal life to just anyone, "That's it. A shitty and tiring day,"

I sighed and made a dramatic gesture of disappointment similar to a facepalm, "You can do better than that Amy girl. C'mon, you can tell me everything. I won't tattle to anyone, just so you know,"

Amy was gritting her teeth now due to annoyance and irritation. I could guess that she had a bad time today, "Oh fine. Since you want to hear all about it. My day has been horrible, just like every other day I stepped on this building. Healing some ungrateful and pretentious asshole demanding me to raise their dicks and chest sizes," she took a growled, and continued, "Don't even get me started on the fucking staff. A bunch of plastic leeches that are always clamouring for my favour, but the moment I get out of their sight they go back to being miserable selves and talking shit behind my back. Today, some fat asshole personally called me for an 'emergency', said explained that his son has contracted an unknown disease that he can't identify, and called in special assistance, which is me," She said, grounding out every word with such force that I worry about her grinding her teeth to dust.

Amy continued, "I reached where he is and checked on the patient. I was expecting some new and unknown virus that I had never seen before. But no, It was just another mutated strain of the fucking Flu," she suddenly turned to me and gave me an angry gaze, "And do you know what's the worst part of this all is? The worst part is that during the time I was walking to them, there was a little girl in the emergency room having a complication from a car crash, dying in experiencing agony that I could have prevented only if that asshole didn't call me and prioritized his son," she growled out that last part and tried to regain her lost breath. A couple of seconds later, and she finally got all that out of her chest and calmed down. It seems that she needed to vent that out to someone.

Combing a hand through her hair, she said, "So yes, today was a horrible day, and I'm more pissed than usual," she looked at me and said, "Now. Answer my question. Why did you come to Arcadia earlier?"

I just stood there down founded. I did not expect her to devolve into a full-blown rant. Now I was just standing in front of her, staring at the slightly winded girl with a lot of problems in her life. I took a moment to recollect myself and thought of a proper response.

"... Okay,"

… Yeah, that was a retarded response. I quickly realized the error of my mistake and corrected my folly.

"I mean. Yeah, that did sound sucky. I-," I coughed to my hands, "Anyways. Since you kept asking why I was at Arcadia yesterday, It's because as you know, my sister enrols at Arcadia, and I'm the one responsible for taking her there from home and vise versa,"

Amy was now calmed and collected than earlier, "Then, why didn't I ever see you around? How long did your sister had been at Arcadia? And how come have I just seen you today,"

I walked to the radiator adjacent to her and sat on the far end of it before replying, "She's only been recently admitted to Arcadia. I never hang around that much, and I only drop her off site; away from the entrance,"

"... I see," she replied, satisfied for the moment, "So. Your sister… what is her name?"

I paused, should I tell her? Thinking back about how much I know about Taylor's social life, I couldn't even remember if she has any new friends. Considering her recent trauma about making new friends and connections has been graciously severed, slaughtered, and abused by that bitch Emma, I quite understand about it. So I might as well let her know about Taylor, who knows? They might even become friends.

"Sure, on one condition," after her inquisitive stare, I continued, "When I tell you about her, can you reach out to her and at least try to be her friend? You might have not read about it, but she had recently suffered under a lot of Trauma from a two-year bullying campaign from her friends. She's quite fragile right now, and I would appreciate it if you can at least talk to her,"

Hearing that, she stared off to the side and contemplated whether to agree or not. I realized that she isn't really the socializing sort, unlike her sister. And it seems she eventually decided on something, judging by the look of determination on her face that I, or just about anyone, rarely ever sees.

"I understand. She's alone and afraid right now, surrounded by strangers in a new environment. I'll try to do what I can to talk to her, I'll even tell Victoria. I'm sure she'll be enthusiastic in helping someone in need,"

"Help who, Ames?"

Suddenly, a cheerful voice said above us. Looking up, I immediately feel a deep feeling in my heart, that of Longing, Desire, and Awe. It was just the person who the other was talking about, Victoria Dallon, a.k.a. Glory Girl.

She was right there, floating with her beautiful golden locks blowing against the wind. Her pristine white liberty inspired costume covering her tight and perfect body. Her face holding a teasing yet heavenly smirk. Everything about her is so beautiful and perfect. I could stare at her all day long.

"Vicky! Tone down your aura!"

I quickly snapped out of my trance as I realized I had just been mastered. I scowled and glared at the now descending Glory Girl, who just gave me a sheepish wave.

"Oops! Hehe, sorry bout that, Anthony. You know me, ever so clumsy Glory Girl haha!" she tried to brush it off, but I still kept my glare.

Unlike Amy, Victoria and I actually got along quite well. It was only at the beginning that was quite rocky for our so called "Friendship". I could still remember that one time she threatened to punch my balls, and that other time she made me piss my pants because of her aura. Once she realized I'm actually a cool guy, she tried her best to be overly friendly to make up for her misdeeds.

Once she landed, Amy tried to salvage the situation and explained what we had just been talking about to Victoria.

"Weirdo over here was in our school earlier, so I asked what he's doing there. Told me that he had a sister at Arcadia that had been bullied in her last school," She turned to me and continued, "Before you arrived he asked me if I could reach out to her and be our friends and that kind of stuff,"

"Ouch, that sounds quite shitty, Anthony. What's her name, Ames?" Victoria asked after she finished explaining.

"He didn't say," She stared at me, then continued staring, "Well? This is your cue to spill,"

I blinked, rubbed my eyes, and replied, "Fine. Her name is Taylor, Taylor Hebert. She's 15 but almost as tall as me. Jet black hair, the silkiest thing you'll ever see. And shes quite flat and lanky," I described Taylor.

"... Wow. You don't just call a girl flat and lanky Anthony, especially your own sister," Glory Girl said with her eyes narrowed. I reciprocated with my own narrow glare. Amy, who was just at the side, simply rolled her eyes and pulled on her sister.

"Yeah, we get it, Ms. Righteous. C'mon, I don't want to be late for dinner," she said while handling the squawking Victoria, "We'll talk to her next week. Be friends and whatnot, just… don't be disappointed," she finished.

A moment later and Amy was being carried princess style by her sister, hovering a meter above the rooftop with wind dancing around their clothes. Amy was tightly snuggling into Victoria, with her arms embracing over her sister. The two of them waved me off and said their goodbyes. A moment later and they were flying off into the distance.

I was left there on the rooftop with the chilling kiss of the evening. I looked over at the Sun and saw that it was almost at its finale, I estimated another half-hour before the horizon would completely engulf it.

After basking in the temperature, I sighed, turned around, and started walking to the fire ladder I used to get onto of this building in the first place. The special roof stairs were only accessible to staff and special people like Panacea. This might count as illegal, but no one ever saw me climbing, and the girls never knew it was. They probably thought I got up here through the stairs and didn't ask further.

As I was walking, my phone beeped. I looked down to see that it was Tattletale. I expected her to call me earlier when Brian told me that she would call, but now is just inconvenient as I quite hate to work late in the night. I picked up the phone and answered it.

"Whaaat?" I asked, drawling out the A's.

"Meeting at 9. Don't be late," she said in a concise voice.

"9PM!? What for?" I asked, outrageously, "I barely had sleep today and you're telling me we have another night job? I'm not going,"

She paused, a sign of irritation for all I've known her. It also probably didn't help that the Thinker scrambling device I wore works through the phone. She hated me for that.

Made it solely for her, actually. In the case of arrogant thinkers wanting to manipulate me and the likes. I'm quite proud of it, actually, if I say so myself. It can work pass through a plethora of different Thinker abilities that I've tested. And against her, it would ensure me that she can never entice me with her power and her words of Evil.

"We're hitting an electronic's store tonight. I also made some chili,"

"... Fuck. Alright, I'll be there. Alec better not touch my fucking Chili,"

Through the phone, I can just imagine her making that iconic vulpine grin she's so proud of displaying. I could only sigh in defeat. This woman has too much power over me; parahuman power or not. At least she smiles pretty.