iSuperwoman

Chapter Five: Supergirl Rising II

August 9th, 2012: Sitting alone in her room, Carly stared at the music box; the last gift her parents gave her. It couldn't bring them back. However, it seemed to hold with it some comfort. I'm a freak, the girl told herself, driving herself to tears. School had been rough, Spencer was always doing homework, and things seemed wrong in every way. Holding the wooden box in her hands, Carly came to realize her forbidden curiosity; Spencer was torn up by the news of his sister being adopted, but left no question that he still loved her as he had before. However, opening the box would only hurt him more.

Mom...you taught me that when we die, we can fly away. Why not now?...Because Spencer needs me. Setting down her box, the young woman walked into her brother's room to find him asleep at his desk with several essays before him. It was midnight. "Come on," Carly said, gently waking her brother and helping him onto his feet. The sixteen-year-old guided Spencer to his bed, pulled the covers up to his shoulders, kissed him on the forehead, and departed from him. You have to be my brother, she whispered, looking at the young adult's relaxed expression. The twenty three-year old breathed in and out peacefully, keeping his eyes closed.

As one o'clock brought a deeper layer of dread, Sam and Melanie seemed to be the only solution. "Hey, Sam," Carly spoke quietly into her cell phone. "Hey, I'm really sorry to call you guys so early, but I really need someone to talk to...yeah. No, he was up late working on homework...I just really miss my mom and dad, you know?...Yeah...thanks, bud. Okay... I'll talk to you in the morning...night. Love you, guys." Thank heaven for you guys

Wrapping herself in her infant blanket, the young woman lay down in her bed, and slowly fell asleep. Images flashed through Carly's mind; finishing first in the mile run at school, lifting heavier and heavier weights in gym class, and staying healthy throughout the year. She was not the same girl she used to be.

I can't stand to fly...

I'm not that naive.

I'm just out to find the better part of me...

Once the bliss of a sunrise broke through the coma of a lonely night, the brunette girl woke up to find Spencer had already left for school. Writing a quick note, Carly departed from the apartment to meet Sam and Melanie at the movies. "Hey, guys," she greeted. "I'm seeing double." Sam and Melanie chuckled at the bad joke, then gave their best friend a quick hug.

"Sounds like you had a rough night, Carls," Sam summarized. "You feeling any better?"

"Alittle bit," the brunette answered. "It's easy to get depressed late at night, you know?" The twins tried to hide the fact that they lived that statement. "So, what movie do you guys wanna see?"

"I think Finding Hope Now's playing," Melanie suggested. Glancing over to a newspaper dispenser, Carly felt her heart start to sink.

"My god," the brunette gasped, walking over to the machine. Melanie and Sam ran up next to their friend, and saw the same thing.

"Oh man," Sam exclaimed, unable to accept what she was seeing. "He killed himself?"

"Nevel's gonna take this so hard," Melanie whispered, trying to hide the tears starting to burn in her eyes. As an act of mercy, Carly pretended like everything was under control, especially for Melanie.

"Um, Mel," the young woman said, turning to the blond girl. "Could...could I get a hug...please?" Sniffling back her tears, Melanie nodded, and tightly hugged her friend. Choosing to hide her emotions, Sam merely watched the two, keeping a straight look on her face. Sam's ways were always alien to Carly; the two were like sisters, but she kept her emotions hidden. Not even Melanie knew what her sister was feeling most of the time.

That night, Nevel cried into Carly's shoulder, trying to choke out the words, "I can't do this." Holding her friend, Carly closed her eyes, let her own tears stream down her face, and stroked down her friend's light hair. "It'll be okay," the brunette whispered, her voice so calm and soothing. "I'm not going anywhere." I'm sorry, Nevel...I'm so sorry. Suddenly, the door slid open, and Freddie looked inside. Unable to make a movement, the boy awaited any form of signal. Carly nodded at him, and felt his warm hands join the embrace. Nevel was too upset to care that he looked weak in front of his friend, but no one seemed to mind. "I'm sorry," Freddie whispered, his own voice starting to crack.

Sitting on her bed, Carly forced herself to cry; desperate for some sort of emotional release. Spencer sat beside her, resting his arm around her back. Staring straight ahead at the floor, the young woman sniffled. "You gonna be okay, sport?" the young man asked his little sister in a calm, loving voice. Carly nodded. "Yeah," she choked out, not looking away. "I just...I think I need to be alone...thanks for being with me, Spencer."

"No problem, kiddo," Spencer gently replied, kissing his baby sister on her forehead before leaving the room. Another suicide...more people suffering. Why can't I do anything? Hours passed by, but Carly couldn't move. Minutes felt like split seconds. Images played out like an old movie; the times he and Nevel spoke and sat together, the AV work he did with Freddie. Now, he was dead. Children are never supposed to leave their friends like this. Glancing over at the music box, Carly swallowed hard, gasped inward, and pressed her hands against her red, swollen eyes. Melanie was leaving in about a week, Spencer was never around, and now this; things were falling apart.

"Hey Carly," Spencer said, tapping on the door. "I have another class tonight...are you gonna be okay by yourself?"

"Yeah," Carly answered, not wanting to ruin things for her brother. "Good luck."

"Thanks," Spencer replied uneasily. "If you need anything, call me." With that, the young adult reluctantly left for his class.

More time slipped by, but nothing was done. Hours had vanished, as if wished away, and Carly was still sitting alone in her bedroom. Turning her glance to the box, the girl slowly brought herself to her feet and walked over to the forbidden secret. Her eyes still blurred over with tears, Carly swallowed her fear, and took the box off its shelf. Staring at the silver "S" symbol frosted onto the wooden container, the young woman saw a light shine upward into her eyes. Then, the box opened. Inside, there was nothing. Swallowing an agonizing lump, Carly felt a new pain course through her body, and prepared to drop the useless mystery. Suddenly, a greater light shined from inside the box. Her eyes enlightened, the young woman saw, standing before her, and only her, a man and woman who strongly resembled her.

"Car-El," the man greeted, his voice firm but loving. "I am Jor-El...your father."

"And I am Lan-El," the woman added, staring ahead at Carly. "Your mother. From the bottom of our hearts, we apologize that we couldn't watch you grow...raise you as our own. But know now that we have, and will always love you." They were strong, but stricken with great sorrow. The woman's eyes so strongly matched those of her daughter. It was magical; there was no question these were her true parents. The image of Carly's family slowly cracked within her mind, and her legs grew weak.

"If you're watching this," Jor-El continued. "It means Krypton is lost...and we have died. You must listen...you are the last of our kind; the last daughter of Krypton. You will have strength like no other." Tears streamed down Carly's face, blinding her.

"Others may fear you...they may hate you," Lan declared. "But you must never use your powers out of anger...you have been given great gifts, Carl-El, but what is inside of you is what will prove you a savior." Her mouth open, Carly felt herself slip into pure shock.

"You have our strength, our blessing, and our love," Jor announced. "We have entrusted you to earth, where we pray you will be properly guided and taught. In the end, though, you are the only one who will decide your destiny."

"We love you, Carl-El," Lan-El concluded. "And we know you will be a blessing to this new world. Go without fear, and please remember our people." The light faded, and the two disappeared, leaving Carly to grab at air.

"...Mom...Dad?" she whispered, feeling her heart shattering. Terrified, the young woman looked at her door. "Spencer?" she cried out. "...Anyone?" Unable to control herself, Carly stood up and ran out the door, feeling her body coursing with fear, shock, awe, and great confusion. Her legs carrying her faster than every before, the brunette watched her body make its way to the Puckett home. At last, she arrived at their front door, and began pounding on the wood, nearly shattering it upon first impact. Sam rushed out to the door. "Carly," she cried out. "What's wrong? What happened?"

"Can I please come inside?" Carly begged. Taking her closest friend's hand, the blond girl led the way inside the warm house.

"Carly," Melanie nearly shrieked. "Are you okay?"

Shaking her head, the young brunette looked her friends in the eye, knowing this would forever make or break everything she had. "I just saw my parents..." she gasped out.