Ultraviolet

Chapter 2

Ups and Downs

Violet struggled to keep her eyes open as she grabbed some books from her locker. The recurring nightmares kept her from getting too much sleep. Her failure to control her powers yesterday was woven into another familiar dream: when she had failed to cast a force field around her mother and brother during their first mission to Syndrome's island base.

Sighing, Violet reached to close her locker door, but it wouldn't move. Violet noticed fingers gripping the bottom of her locker door. Frowning, she peeked around the door. It was Tony Rydinger, her boyfriend of sorts. Tony flashed a smile at her and she grinned back, fumbling to close the locker door in the process. She had gone out with him for a while now, after their first movie date. Since then, they had gone on movie dates every alternate weekend, but both of them were too shy for their relationship to progress beyond just holding hands.

"Hi there, Vi." Tony paused as Violet covered her mouth as she yawned. "What's wrong? Not sleeping well lately?"

Violet's mouth dropped open as she thought of a quick lie to cover up. What could she say; that she had nightmares because of her lack of control of her powers? However, she was saved from having to answer that question. A group of Tony's classmates were coming towards them.

"Hey, Tony! Let's go!" One of his friends shouted over, beckoning him to join them.

"Right. Violet, I got to go. See you at the cinemas tomorrow, OK?" He looked at Violet for one fleeting second before turning to his friends.

Violet stood rooted to the spot, staring at Tony's retreating back before she realised that she had lessons to go to. Turning on her heel, she headed for class, opening the door and sliding into her seat at the back of the class.

"Hi, Violet!"

"Morning, Violet!"

Violet nodded meekly at her classmates. She was never good with making friends, being perpetually shy. Sinking into her chair, her thoughts drifted to her meeting with Tony just now. When will she ever reveal to him that she is actually a Super? Her father had worked hard to conceal their secrets, will she ruin it by telling Tony?

Leaning against the wall, Violet adjusted her hair band and checked the time again. It was almost three in the afternoon, but there was still no sign of Tony. Shaking her head, she headed for the restroom. Her hands gripped on the door handle, she was about to push the door open when a scream from the crowd behind alerted her.

"Snatch thief! Stop that man!"

Violet turned to her right and was knocked down by a scrawny man clutching a handbag. Violet climbed to her feet and saw the man run towards the back exit. A surge of adrenaline coupled with righteous fury coursed through her blood. Reaching for her blouse button, she was about to change into her Super-suit when she realised that she didn't have it with her.

"Well, if I can't do it as a Super, I guess Violet Parr would have to suffice," she whispered to herself. She was eager, maybe even desperate, to prove to herself that she was fit to be a Super. She took off at a sprint; thankfully, she wasn't wearing high heels. She swung the door open and caught sight of the fleeing thief. He had a head start, but Violet was in a better shape. Violet's feet pounded against the linoleum as she gained on him.

Violet's hand reached forward and grabbed the collar of the thief's shirt, pulling it back. He fell to the floor with a thud and Violet reached for the handbag. The snatch thief refused to let go. For a moment they tussled for the bag. The thief gave a tug, and Violet fell. They clambered to their feet, but the thief pulled out a switchblade from his back pocket.

"Get… get away from me, girl," the thief stammered as he held the gleaming blade forward. The weak threat didn't stop Violet from delivering a roundhouse kick that knocked the weapon out of his hands. Now disarmed, the man lashed out with his fist, but Violet blocked it easily. She curled up her right fist and delivered a blow of her own; it connected with the man's face. The man reeled back, not unlike many of the villains her father took out.

However, much unlike those villains, the man recovered. In fact, he seemed unharmed. He shoved her to the floor and sneered, "You're too weak, girl." Snorting, he turned and fled into a group of moviegoers, the handbag in his possession.

Violet slammed her fist into the wall in agitation. She went in to prove herself, and ended up with a slap to her face. The words he said lingered in her ears. Maybe it was true; maybe she was weak. Supporting herself with her hands, she climbed to her feet. The hallway seemed longer than when she had first came through it. She opened the door with a tremendous effort, and walked aimlessly, until Tony shook her out of her trance.

"Violet! You're here at last. The movie starts in five minutes, where have you been?" Without waiting for her to reply, he continued. "Anyway, I got the popcorn and drinks, let's go in now."

He didn't notice… Violet thought. 'Insensitive jerk' came to her mind at once. She crossed her arms, following in Tony's wake, until they reached their seat. They watched the movie in silence. The romantic comedy did nothing to cheer her up. Whenever Tony asked her anything, she replied with a monotonous "nothing". Her mind was a blank.

After the movie, they streamed out with the rest of the other moviegoers. This was the part Violet had dreaded. She walked a little faster than normal, pushing away other passers-by. Tony tried to catch up with her, but she merely walked faster.

"Violet! Wait up!" Tony cried out. He reached out and grabbed her shoulder. Whirling around, she pushed his hand away and raised her fist. Her eyes were like burning coal. Tony, shocked at her behaviour, took a step back and whispered, "Violet, it's just me."

Her expression softened, she lowered her fist and lay her head on Tony's shoulders, sobbing. She wanted Tony to hug her, to comfort her. With Tony's arm wrapped firmly around her shoulders, the couple stood for minutes, as Violet released her pent-up stress. Finally, she felt well enough to pull herself from his grasp. Their eyes locked for a fleeting moment.

"Is there anything you want to tell me, Vi?"

"I'm sorry, Tony…" Her voice quaking, she lowered her head, but Tony's fingers lifted it up.

"Don't be. Take your time to get over whatever you're going through. We'll talk again next time."

Violet nodded. "Can… you… see me home?"

Tony nodded. Illuminated by the warm, amber glow of the setting sun, they strolled hand in hand towards the Parr's house. Any problems in Violet's mind were alleviated. At the same time, she wanted to be alone for a while. As they turned the last corner before reaching the Parr's house, Violet stopped. Tony turned back, looking at her.

"Tony… I think I'm fine now. I can make it back on my own. Your house's over that way, right?" Tony was about to say something, but Violet cut him off. "Don't worry, I'll be fine… I'll see you next week... I guess."

"All right. I'll see you around." He turned around towards his home. The short walk in solitude was exactly what she wanted. Her parents did not forbid her from seeing Tony, would they mind if she take their relationship one step further? She turned when she reached her house. Taking a deep breath, she opened the front door and stepped into a pitch-black house. She tried the lights, but it didn't work.

"Mom? Dad?" The house was still. Something was wrong; that much was obvious. She took a step forward, but stopped in her tracks.

"VIOLET! HELP!"

It was her mother.

Trivia: The buzzword in the story, 'Righteous Fury' was first used in this chapter, taken to mean 'anger driven towards justice'. It made it into a few other chapters, as well as the chapter title for no. 7.

Chapters one to four are the build-up to the first turning point in the story: the running away. These obstacles are to make Vi run away.

Ups and Downs was supposed to mean 'break-ups and breakdowns'. The break-up was my original idea for the running away, but due to some inexplicable reason, I abandoned the idea. Breakdown… only natural if you broke up with your boyfriend…