Fallen Idol
Chapter Two: A Scream In The Night
Well well. Two chapters a weekened. I'm really cranking these things out, en't I? Come on, guys, how about some requests? My ideas stink like yesterday's lemon pot pie! ...not that it sounds appetizing in the first place, eh?
Mikae stepped off the bus, glad to be rid of the strange looks from the passengers. There was the usual old man, with a long white beard and few teeth. He had had a gummy look about him that made Mikae very uncomfortable. And of course, there were the two gossipy women, who spent the whole of the ride chatting about whether Tom Cruise would dump Penelope Cruz or not. Mikae was sick of the publicity those two received, and so walking into the quiet air of the slums was a relief.
She tossed her bangs lightly, well aware that the neighborhood wasn't exactly welcoming. So...where to look for Cybersix. An old brick building, though its fire escape was long rusted and falling, still had a iron-grate platform about two stories up. Well, DRAT! Mikae exclaimed, and looked for anything to aid her climb. What a time to NOT be a superhero, she thought furiously, and spat on her hands. The fire escape hadn't fallen down all the way. Perhaps, if she was fast, she could get onto the platform.
Of course, there would be the problem of how to get down, but Mikae really wasn't thinking of it. Certainly there'd be a staircase on the roof, or another escape on the other side of the building. So...up we go! She jumped as high as she could, grabbing the rusted handrails and kicking against the brick. It took several tries, but she pulled herself up onto the platform, gasping for breath as she pulled out her camera. If THAT'S what being a superhero is like...Cybersix can keep the job!
I said I was sorry, Data 7. Cybersix and her brother leaped across the rooftops, searching for a Fixed Idea.
Sure, sure, you SAID you were sorry, but your couch isn't comfortable. You should buy a new one. Data 7 grumbled, and leaped in front of Cybersix. I'm still tougher than you.
Right, right, and how do I buy a new couch on Adrian's salary, huh? Hey! Get back here; you're not tougher than me!
Two little renegades, leaping on the roofs, one named Data, the other was a doof.
Oh, that stung...OH! I see one! Cybersix spun in midair and turned around, headed for the Fixed Idea below. I've got you now... However, the mutant was surprisingly quick, and took off on the rooftops himself. Cybersix blinked and jumped after him. Okay, so he's intelligent.
I wouldn't say that.
She shook her head and somersaulted to the next roof, followed closely by Data 7.
Show off.
Mikae, meanwhile, was just about ready to call it quits. It was cold, the mosquitos were out, and three gangs had already walked by. Besides, the air was now carrying the strong, delightful scent of raw sewage. Her eyelids were drooping, ready for a good night's sleep, even if SHE wasn't.
This stinks, she muttered, and packed up her camera. I mean, I brave old guys and gangs, not to mention tetanus-ugh! and spiders, just to get a picture of Cybersix. Just once I'd like to prove to Jer that I am NOT a total ditz. Ooh, I'd like to show him up! She gripped the bars of the fire escape and dug her toes into the brick, edging her way down the wall. Then he'd HAVE to believe me, and stop making fun of me, too. Damn! Mikae had dropped the ground and cut her khakis on a protruding piece of metal. Oh, Mom is going to kill me for that...
A loud yell came from above her. Mikae looked up and stared in horror at the large, misshapen lump plummeting from the rooftop. She flung herself against the wall, blue eyes wide in shock. Is that a...OMIGOD!
Her scream echoed through the slums.
