"Hey Ben, come in," Alex greeted as he opened the front door to reveal Ben standing there shivering.
In the last couple of days since Alex invited Ben over to help train him for the rugby session. The weather had worsened and forecasters were saying it was going to be the coldest winter in over 35 years.
"Hi, it is really cold out here," he said as he moved into the house, shedding his coat, jumper and shoes, as the warmth of Alex's house washed over him.
The door shut and the winter wonderland disappeared from view.
"Do you want a drink, something hot perhaps?" Alex offered.
"Do you have tea?"
"Of course, you are in the home of a British person. Milk and sugar?"
"Just milk please, not to weak."
"Sure, come through."
The two lads walked through into the kitchen and stood as Alex boiled water and put the tea bags in the mugs. A couple of minutes later, they each held a steaming mug in their hands, using them to add a little more warmth into their bodies.
"So how are you enjoying the UK?"
"It is not that much different from New York, just the language differences and food to get used to."
"Do you like the food here? I have heard that Americans are not a fan of our cuisine."
"No it is great, you actually have fresh food over here compared to the processed stuff we have back home."
"Yeah I remember going over to Chicago a few years ago and the portion size was huge. I couldn't eat it all."
"When did you go there," Ben asked inquisitively.
Alex thought for a moment and then replied saying, "it was in about two thousand and eight. Dad had to go over for some business work and took me and mum with him to have a holiday."
"Were you there when Chicago was attacked by that maniac and several people died from his crazy machines he let loose?"
"I was there around that time yeah. Mum kept me indoors and we left the state later that day. We left dad there, as he was trapped at his office. That was the last I saw of him. He died in the last wave of the attack."
"I am so sorry," Ben said.
"Its ok, I am used to it all by now. Anyway," Alex said suddenly as he began to change the subject. "shall we get on with our session?"
"You're the boss, I will follow your lead."
"Have you brought any kit?"
"Yeah, in my bag. It is just the school kit and a pair of thermals."
"You may want to put a jumper or coat on, thermals will help but it is so cold you may want something else."
"Where do you want me to get changed?"
"Go up stairs and the bathroom is the first door that you come to."
"Thanks."
A few minutes later the two lads stood out in Alex's back garden ready to begin their training.
"Ok, I guess that rugby is fairly similar to what we would call american football, but with some obvious differences," Alex explained. "In your football there are a lot of pads and helmets, whereas in rugby there is limited protection. Some people wear a padded vest and or a padded hat, but everyone else just has a gum shield."
"Does it involve as much contact?"
"Depending how seriously you take it, yes it can get pretty violent. You need to look at pictures of some of the professional players who have ruined their ears in the scrums and the blood that appears during matches."
"Are you trying to put me off? It isn't going to."
"Just making sure you know what you are letting yourself in for. If you are ready then, we shall begin."
Over the next couple of hours Alex taught Ben some of the best techniques and moves that he knew himself, getting him ready for team selection on Monday. When they had finished, they went back into the house, faces red because of the chilly windy. In the kitchen, Alex's mum had arrived home and was just putting the kettle on.
"Hello dear, who is your friend."
"Hey mum, this is Ben. He has recently moved to the UK from America and I was helping to teach him some rugby skills."
"Nice to meet you Ben, you can call me Jane. Would you like a cup of tea?" Alex's mum asked.
"Yes please."
"Please sit down and help yourself to a biscuit or two," Jane said as she turned back to the kettle and began making the tea.
They began to chat about their days and what each other had been up too. Soon however, it was time for Ben to leave and head off back home.
"Thank you very much for the tea and the help, I've just got to remember it for Monday."
"I am sure you will do fine," Alex said confidently.
"You are welcome to come round anytime you would like Alex to help you," Jane said.
"Thanks, I will remember to do that."
Ben then left the house and headed back home.
"He seemed nice," Jane said to her son.
"Yeah, and he is a fantastic rugby player. It is amazing he has never played it before."
A few streets away, Wally West sat in his bedroom on his bed, reading a book that his mother had bought him from the bookshop she worked in. Suddenly a shouting match erupted below him. His parents were arguing again. Recently their arguments had been increasing in frequency, volume and pettiness. He wondered what it was this time. The voices were getting nearer and clearer.
"I WILL NOT HAVE A FREAK LIKE THAT LIVING IN MY HOUSE!" Wally's dad was shouting.
"HE IS YOUR SON, YOU SHOULD LOVE HIM NO MATTER WHAT!" his mother counter argued.
The door to Wally's room burst open and his dad stormed in, his face as red as a beetroot and he was holding one of Wally's costumes.
"WHAT IS THIS AND WHY IS IT IN MY HOUSE?" he shouted at Wally.
"I was going to tell you," Wally meekly spoke as he slowly replaced the bookmark in his book and placed it down on his bedside table. "It is my superhero suit. I am a superhero."
"GET OUT OF MY HOUSE!"
"Alan, you can't be serious," Wally's mum gasped in shock at her husbands command.
"Dad?" Wally said open mouthed.
"I am not your dad," Alan said more quietly and in a sinister manner.
"You have 30 minutes to collect together your things and then get out of my house. If you are still here at the end of that time, I am going to kill you."
With that, Alan left the room and his wife and son in shock at his order.
"Wally I am so sorry," his mum burst into tears, running over to her son and wrapping her arms around him.
"Its alright mum, don't worry."
Wally had been dreading this day. His dad had never liked superheroes and had publicly spoken out against them. To how know that one had been living in his house over the last few months clearly took him over the edge.
Wally glanced over at the suit, which before he had left, his father had thrown down on the floor. It had given him so much happiness and freedom, but now it was ripping him away from his family and home.
"Where are you going to go?" his mother asked him.
"I'll phone Jason and see if I can crash at his place for a while."
"You better hurry up and get your things together, your dad will be back soon and he means what he said."
"Don't worry, he won't be able to hurt me physically. You must come with me."
"No I can't, I need to stay with him and try and reason with his good side."
"You are a braver person than me mum, you are my hero."
They hugged again, this time tighter, as though neither was going to let go, but inevitably they both knew, that was exactly what they were going to have to do.
Wally let go and began to gather his stuff together. He brought out a suitcase from under his bed and filled it with as may clothes as he could, as well as his suits, school stuff and a few other mementoes. His laptop was put in its bag and his iPad also with it. The last thing he place in his case was the book that he was reading before his father burst in.
He gathered his bags in his hands and gave his mum a final hug and kiss and then jumped out of the window, landing softly on his feet. Giving one final look up to his mum who now stood at the window, Wally turned and ran to Jason's house.
Within seconds he stood on the Kent's doorstep and rung the bell. The door opened and Clark stood there facing him.
"Wally, are you alright?" he asked looking at the bags he was carrying and his tear soaked face.
"Is it ok for me to stay here for a while, dad has kicked me out of the house?"
"Sure, come in," Clark moved to the side, letting the teenage hero enter, helping him with his stuff. "Just dump it here in the hall and come through to the kitchen, I'll make you a nice mug of hot chocolate."
"Thanks," Wally said wiping a tear from his eye as he followed Clark to the kitchen.
"What happened for your dad to kick you out?"
Wally recounted the painful events of the last hour and Clark listened in horror at the callous attitude of Alan West.
When Wally had finished, the two stood there in silence, the only noise being the microwave as it heated the milk up for the hot chocolate. The microwave finished, it's beeping letting them know of this fact. That was when Clark spoke.
"Wally I know that you and Jason are the best of friends and being the heroes that you now are, I want you to stay for as long as you want. Don't worry about the costs involved, we have plenty of money in the bank. With Lois being an award winning journalist, she does get paid a handsome wage. And as you know we do have a spar bedroom which you can have. I am sure Jason will be overjoyed at you living with us."
"Where is Jason at the minute?" Wally asked.
"He went to go and help Lois at work as I was unable to do so. I was preoccupied with a volcano erupting in Iceland. I had not long returned when you arrived."
As Clark said that, Wally could smell the clear odour of burning and sulphur emanating from the man of steel.
Clark finished stirring the chocolate powder into the milk and handed the mug over to Wally.
"Thanks."
Wally lifted the mugs to his lips and sipped at the hot beverage. As the liquid entered his mouth and fell down his gullet, a warm and calming feeling washed over him, as though his worries and anger were being taken from him and only happy and peaceful thoughts remained.
"Better?" Clark asked.
"Better," Wally replied.
The sound of the front door opening came to their ears and the voices of Lois and Jason came after, alerting them to their arrival.
"We're home!" Lois called out. "What are these bags doing in the hallway?" she asked as she walked into the kitchen. "Oh hello Wally, how are you doing?"
"Um dear, Wally has come to stay with us for a while. He is the victim in a little bit of trouble at home."
"Oh Wally, what has happened?" Lois asked just as Jason walked into the kitchen.
Wally relayed the tale once more, leaving Clark still shocked and angry, but also Lois and Jason open mouthed and devastated.
"Mate, that is horrible," Jason said as he came up behind Wally and put his hand on Wally's shoulder.
"I knew the day was going to come at some point, but I just didn't expect it to go that way."
"Well I am sure Clark has already said this, but you are most welcome to stay with us," Lois reaffirmed.
"Thank you, you are most kind."
There was a knock on the door that interrupted their conversation. Lois went to see who it was. Moments later, she walked back into the kitchen, Wally's mum following her.
"Mum," Wally said, rushing over to her.
They embraced once more.
"What are you doing here?"
"I thought you might want some more things. Your dad went off to the pub, so I used the opportunity to gather some more things together. I also wanted to bring you some money to help tie you over."
"Thank you so much."
"I must go, your dad said he wasn't going to be long and if he catches me, I will be in serious trouble."
"You must stay here as well," Lois said.
"No, I need to stay with him, try and convince him not to be scared of Wally."
"Good luck," Clark said. "Sounds like you are going to have your work cut out.
With that, Wally's mum left the house and returned back home. She had left the things she had brought in the Kent's hallway.
"Well I suppose we need to get the spare room ready for you," Lois said.
However just as she finished, there was a large gust of wind rushing through the kitchen. A moment later, another one followed. Wally noticed Clark's position change ever so slightly.
"All done," Clark said.
"Thank you honey."
"Well I suppose you lads need to be getting off to bed, it is school tomorrow," Clark said.
"Thank you again for letting me stay here," Wally said to Lois and Clark.
"Wally, we are always happy to have you round. Don't worry about anything."
With that, the two boys over towards the stairs and climbed them up to the bedrooms.
"Hey it is going to be fun living in the same house now, we can train more often," Jason said.
"Yeah, it will be cool."
"Night, see you in the morning."
"Night."
They went to their own rooms. Wally looked around at his new home. Clark had cleaned it all and made the bed. All his possessions had been put away in their proper place. He moved over to the wardrobe and pulled out his pyjamas. He changed in to them, putting his clothes into a laundry basket. He crawled I to bed and turned the lights off. He lay back and thought about the evenings events. He felt safe here in the Kent's house, away from his violent father. It was his mother that he worried about. Would she be ok? Would he hurt her?
As those questions passed through his mind, he began to slip into a deep sleep, away from his worries and in to the land of nod.