This story is written for The Broken World's competition challenge at (www)thebrokenworld(org). The challenge is to think of what could be a defining moment in a DA character's life, and write it in 500 words on the nose. I hope I managed to complete the challenge but it was difficult making my point in 500 words! Feedback is appreciated. :)
x-x x-x
When Judgement Calls
By Rocky the Flying Squirrel
Through the months Max had known Alec, she'd always pinned him as a womanising, unreliable screw up; a jerk who only looked out for himself and was motivated solely by personal gain. Even when he did a good deed - there was an ulterior motive. Alec had no loyalty to nothing. Far as Max was concerned, the boy was a bad smell that followed her everywhere and caused nothing but problems.
Thing was, Alec was worthy of a little more faith than that. A lot more, actually. In her subconscious Max was aware of this, but admitting it was another matter entirely. Her heart knew she was cutting him short, but it would take an event of epic proportions to convince her brain to admit that one out loud…
x-x
The phone was ringing. Over the roar of the Ninja, Max's acute hearing picked up the mechanical melody coming from her pocket. Halting her bike, she grabbed out the cellphone and pressed 'talk'.
"Go for Max."
"Little fella, everything's gone sideways. It's fubar, people screaming, and Gem is trying to keep her legs crossed so the baby won't pop out!"
"What?" Max's blood froze at the panic in Joshua's voice "where are you?"
"I'm at South Market -"
"You're right around the corner from Jam Pony. Find Alec - he'll get you a car."
x-x
Hours after the transgenics had escaped Jam Pony, faced Detective Clemente and made their decision to stand their ground within Terminal City, Max rested upon a damp mattress, remembering the phone call which had changed everything.
So much of life had been upheaved today so suddenly, and only now was it beginning to sink back in. Her face was immortalised by the media, Jam Pony exposed as a place that employed 'freaks' (even if Normal had been unaware), and the future of the transgenics now on a shorter leash.
Question was; could today have gone down better if she hadn't sent Joshua and the others to Alec? Could he be to blame? Had he screwed up again?
'Find Alec' she'd instructed Joshua. It'd been a snap decision to place trust in Alec. And an uncharacteristic one on her part considering how frequently she berated him for being a self-serving brat.
Because of her judgement call Alec had taken a bullet, sacrificed his cover as a civilian, kept the non-transgenics calm, and stood by her side to help fight for their lives. Then when she asked for support in making a stand, he'd been amid the first to raise his hand. He'd given her the benefit of the doubt, when so many times she'd denied it to him.
Yes, she'd made a wrong call of judgement.
But not today.
Today Alec had proven himself ten-fold to be a loyal friend. Her ill-assessment lay in never having noticed it earlier.
"Thanks" Max murmured to the empty room, as she drifted off to sleep.
Perhaps…
Perhaps she'd say it again tomorrow.
To the one who deserved to hear it.