In celebration of the end of the semester with good grades I give you Chapter 3!
Oh, and I guess I don't own Worm.
Edit 5/7/18: Okay there have been some complaints about the end of the chapter and I think its cause of the wording please read the note at the end for clarification.
Origins 1-3
I feel stupid.
I look stupid.
I looked into the thin full-length mirror that hung on my bedroom door. I looked ridiculous. The coat that I was thinking would make a good costume had back fired a bit. When I thought I would look a bit homeless I didn't think it would be to this extent.
"Urgh", I shrugged the jacket off. Without it I felt smaller. I checked the mirror again. Sigh. I looked smaller. Well, thinner like a string bean.
About the only thing that looked good was the mask I had bought. The dark color almost a match to my hair. I sat down on the edge of my bed and blew out a breath. No costume no being a hero., or at least not long before I got found out.
Deciding to play with my powers a bit I held out my hands in front of me and focused of the feeling of letting go. Flames flickered into life in each hand. The right side an ethereal blue. The left, a ghostly green. I flicked my hands and the flames floated out and hung in the air. Cape powers are so weird.
I leaned over to my nightstand and grabbed a pen from the top drawer. Slowly I reached out and poked the green fire. The fire exploded with a thump, sending the pen flying from my hand to smack against the wall. I looked at my hand and saw no burns or felt any pain.
I reached out my hand again and poked the blue fire with my finger. No explosion, no heat, nothing but a slight tingling sensation. Taking a chance, I grabbed the fire in my hand and squeezed. A few flames licked out from between my fingers before dying out. Again, no heat, pain, or damage.
I guess I am immune to my own power. Probably a good thing.
I called another flame into my hand. A twitch of my hand and it floated over to my other hand. I tossed it back and forth a few times before tossing it up with a laugh.
Unfortunately, it hit the overhead light in the room and blew it apart as if I had thrown a bowling ball at it.
"Shit," I focused on the kitchen and teleported.
A few steps over to the pantry allowed me to retrieve a broom and a dustpan. I considered teleporting back to my room but all the broken glass that was likely scattered around the room made me reconsider. Maybe I should move my power testing somewhere other than my bedroom. What would I do for my costume since there was no way I was going out in my jacket? Should I just go with a hoodie until I figure out a new costume? Something to think about while I clean up the glass.
.
Goggles and facemask? Check.
Hoodie? Check.
Pepper spray? Check.
Pocket knife? Check.
Shoes tied tight? Check.
I jumped up and down a bit. No jingly sounds? Check.
I knew I was procrastinating my first night out as a cape. Even if it was only as practice, I was still nervous. Taking a deep breath, I checked myself over in the mirror again. I looked like any other teen out on the street. Dressed in all black. With a face mask. Sigh I look like a minor villain or a henchman. Whatever it's not as if my appearance would matter just yet.
Okay.
This is it.
My first night out.
I can do this.
I focused on the backyard and in a blink, I was there. Time to see just how far I can go with this power. I focused on the boardwalk. Nothing. Huh I guess that's too far. Maybe something a bit closer. The parking garage at the hospital? It was about half the distance to the boardwalk just in a different direction. Annnnd nothing.
"Fuck."
I slapped my hand over my mouth. It wouldn't due for Dad to catch me sneaking out. Ok new plan, get away from the house first then experiment. I focused on the space between houses at the end of the street. I arrived in perfect silence in the shadows between houses. I sighed with some relief, it was not a small distance but not so grand either. Ok next destination. Maybe the gas station only a few miles up the main road. Focus and….success!
Woah. It felt like I had stretched all of my muscles out at once to the point that they were sore. I staggered over to the wall and leaned against it. Okay so maybe that was a bit too much all at once. Ugh okay, limit the jumps to just a few blocks for now. Looking across the street I focused on the rooftop of the small three-story warehouse turned slummy apartments that marked the edge of the docks district.
When I landed on the roof I collapsed. Every muscle in my body was clenching up in a cramp. I had to clench my teeth to muffle the scream I couldn't hold back. The pain faded slowly and left me shaking, unable to even rise from my prone position. I flailed feebly until I managed to roll over onto my back so I could look at the stars instead of the gravel rooftop. I used to look at the stars with Mom and now that she was gone they made me feel closer to her somehow.
God, I miss her.
I don't know how long I laid there, looking at the stars, but when a voice called out to me and I jerked in surprise, I was no longer in pain every time I moved. "Hey what are you doing up here?"
I rolled onto my side a saw an elderly man at the roof access door. "Taking a break." Was my lame answer.
"Take a break somewhere else." The old man pulled a pipe out of his pocket and lit it with a few puffs. "We don't need no trouble around here, specially from some wannabe cape. So, you just get on goin'."
Climbing to my feet I walked to the edge of the roof and looked around for a new destination.
"Well what are you waiting for?" the old man grouched.
I turned to the old man as I thought about the roof of the warehouse on the street corner. I can only imagine his face as I faded away into motes of light. 'Wannbe cape' my ass.
I teleported a few more times without falling over in pain or any pain at all so long as I limited my teleporting around a mile at most. I was a bit fatigued after a few rapid jumps but no more so than if I had run once around the track at Winslow. Maybe my teleporting power was like a muscle, if I exercised it, it would get stronger. I poked at my stomach. I should probably work on my body too if I was going to be a hero.
.
"Taylor, I am happy you are taking care of yourself but is jogging to and from the library really necessary?" Dad sat at the kitchen table waiting for his coffee to brew. He's not much of a morning person, doubly so when he hasn't had his coffee yet.
"Because the alternative is doing jumping jacks in the backyard." I tied my running shoes on. "This way I can both get exercise and go to the library."
"I don't like the idea of you being on the streets." Dad grumbled.
I patted the pocket of my jacket (no not the stupid cape jacket, a different one), "I have the pepper spray you gave me."
Dad just huffed and glared at the coffee pot as if it would brew any faster.
"I have to get out of the house Dad. It's driving me nuts to stay cooped up here." I left the house before he woke up enough to put any actual effort in the argument. I jumped over the bottom step as it was still broken and stretched my legs. The run to the library was a long one. When I first started running a month ago I had to stop and catch my breath after every mile or so. Now I only had to stop twice the whole way.
I spent my time at the library doing the work I needed to send in to the school to prove I was keeping up with my education before spending probably far too much time on PHO. I have been keeping a close eye on the Brockton Bay thread in case any posts about a new cape had been seen. Thankfully, my cape identity has flown under everyone's radar for the time being. Though there were some sightings of a new cape joining the Wards on patrol at the end of last week. Somme big guy dressed in blue. I clicked on the thread to see today's updates and nearly screamed in horror when the very first post was about me.
XxVoid_CowboyxX
There is a new Cape in Brockton Bay! I was sitting out on the deck of my apartment when this guy just appears on the roof of the apartments across from mine. I couldn't see him that well but he disappeared after a few seconds. I think it was a teleporter!
My face fell into my hands. Of all the people to see me it was PHO's outcast Void Cowboy. That guy has been banned so many times for a wide range of reasons, from speculating a capes identity to making inappropriate comments about underage capes. He was a total creep and I was near his apartment last night? I am never going to that neighborhood again. I had been sticking to the safer parts of town which meant the fringes of ABB and Empire territory. I might be a cape but I was too new to be picking a fight with other capes. That went doubly so for the capes from the two most dangerous gangs in the city.
I refreshed the page to check for any responses to Void Cowboy and was more than a little relieved that a few were already discounting his claims as attention seeking. His bad reputation was doing me a favor here. Him being the first to talk about the new cape would probably do more to hide my identity than anything I could say.
I leaned back in my chair and breathed a sigh of relief. Independent capes didn't last long in Brockton Bay but I wasn't about to join the Wards or a gang. That meant keeping as low a profile as possible, only intervening in petty crimes like the mugging a few days ago or scaring off some dealers last weekend. I hadn't captured anyone but then again, I didn't have a phone to call it in either. So, I would limit myself to just stopping the crimes for now. Lighting up an ally way with my blaster power is usually enough to deter or outright stop criminal activity.
So, I am a hero that can't do much beyond scaring unpowered criminals. I can't help but sigh in resignation, some hero I am. My powers would be far more effective on a team of heroes and I absolutely refuse to join up with the Wards. Maybe I should try and talk to New Wave.
I searched New Wave on the computer and found their webpage. It wasn't what I expected, although I don't know what I expected from a family of Parahuman Heroes but certainly not a well-organized and catchy webpage. There was even a section for recorded footage from body cams. I couldn't help myself I had to click on it. Imagine my disappointment when it asked for a credit card. Figures all footage would be behind a pay wall. Capes need money too.
Actually, I wonder if I should do something like that. If I could sell the videos of my being a hero then I might be able to afford a decent costume. Something to think about I guess. Hell, I don't even have a camera let alone one of those small durable body cams.
Hmm, does stealing money from criminals count as a villainous act? I mean if you were to take down a drug den or somthing and happen upon some cash while you were there and only used the money to further your heroic deeds or even just pay the bills, is it still a crime? I suppose technically it is, but morally is it wrong?
"Excuse me miss? Is everything alright?"
The librarian had walked right up next to me without me even knowing she was there. I about jumped out of my skin when she spoke.
"Uh, yeah, just kind of lost in thought I guess." I gave her a weak smile.
"Oh well if you are sure." The librarian looked a bit uncomfortable. "Would you like me to renew the login for the computer?"
I looked at the computer screen and saw the library logo slowly bouncing its way around the edge. "No that's okay, I was pretty much done anyway." I picked up my jacket from where it hung on the back of my chair and headed out the door. The question now was risk the crowded streets for the jog home or catch the bus and spend the rest of the day in town? My stomach chose to voice its opinion that ultimately swayed my decision in favor of a visit to Fugly Bob's.
After the customary marveling at the wall of Challenger winners I ordered a classic with a side of waffle fries and a diet soda. The place was starting to fill up as lunch time neared. A brief look around and I spotted an empty table in the corner out of the way. Perfect. I carried my greasy bit of Heaven over to my chosen locale and sat with my back to the wall so I could people watch.
About halfway through my burger an odd group of teenagers walked in. I say odd because they were clearly still of the age to be in school and they were an odd mix to be sure. The foremost teen was a pretty girl with dark blonde hair pulled back into a ponytail. Behind her, was the only one of the group that could actually be an adult. He had a serious face and a tall strong frame, dark skin and his hair in cornrows. The next boy could have passed for a girl if he dressed differently. His dark curly hair hung down to his shoulders. The last was a rough looking girl who gave off the vibe that you should just leave her alone.
The blonde girl gave her order and scanned the room before locking eyes with me. The grin she wore gave me chills. I looked away out the window. So, imagine my surprise when she sits in the chair next to me shortly followed by the rest of her group.
"Hi, you look like you could use some company." The girl popped a french-fry into her mouth.
I didn't know what to say. The only times I had ever been in this kind of situation it was a se-
"This isn't a set up." The girl interrupted my thoughts.
How did she know what I-
Her grin was back in full force. "It's written all over your face."
The big guy frowned at the blonde girl, "Lisa, maybe this wasn't your best idea."
"Yea we know you're smarter than everyone. You ain't gotta go prove it to random girls." The pretty boy laughed, leaning back in his seat.
"Fuck you Alec." Blonde girl laughed.
It's official, I am totally lost. "Um…"
The blonde girl turned back to me, "Oh, right. Anyway, I'm Lisa and this," she gestured to the young man. "Is Brian. The idiot is Alec and that's Rachel."
The girl Rachel seemed to be ignoring the whole thing in favor of her burger.
"Taylor," was my response.
"So, like I was saying when we sat down, you looked like you could use some company." Lisa grinned.
"I don't know what you mean." I deflected. I needed time to wrap my head around this.
"Hmm, not used to social interaction with people your own age huh?" Lisa leaned back in her chair with a puzzled look on her face.
"Lisa." Brian's tone was that of a warning but Lisa waved him off.
"Oh, come on, what's the harm in being friendly?"
If only you knew.
"I don't think she's interested." Alec drawled.
"I'm not sure what you expect of me." I ventured.
"Stupid"
"Rachel cut it out." Brian warned.
Lisa looked me once over as if studying me. "There is nothing we want other than for somewhere to sit and to be friendly. Maybe I got it wrong, but it really did look to me like you would have benefited from a little company."
Great even total strangers think I am a complete loser. I smeared ketchup around on my plate with my last waffle fry.
"Maybe it was too much at once." Lisa shrugged. "Sorry for just butting in but I can't help myself sometimes." She pulled a sharpie from her pocket and wrote something on a napkin before folding it and handing it to me. "Maybe next time." she got up from the table and tossed the remainder of her food in the trash. "Well we should get going anyhow."
"But we just got here." Alec complained.
Brian also got up, "You can walk and eat, let's go."
"Heathens." Alec joked.
The last member of their group, Rachel, simply picked up her burger and left the tray and her trash on the table. Rude but whatever.
Lisa waved to me before being dragged out by Brian.
"What a weird group." I took a sip of my drink and opened the napkin and promptly choked.
Underneath a phone number it read 'If you want to talk about capes, call me'.
Author's Note: Thank you all who have added this fic to their fav/follows! All questions asked in reviews will be answered via PM so as not to fluff up the word count.
Edit Note: Alright I have changed the wording some but if you are one of those that has concluded that Tattletale has immediately determined that Taylor is a cape then please bear with me for a moment.
She hasn't. When she first walks in she sees Taylor and smiles because she sees someone interesting and sits with her for her own amusement if nothing else. During her needling of Taylor she gets the sense that Taylor is hiding a secret and her curiosity takes over. Here is her reasoning behind the note. When Lisa first sits down at Taylor's table she sees Taylor immediately pull away. This leads her to the conclusion that Taylor has an aversion to others likely due to bullies due to her being out of school. Even with introductions Taylor was still trying to withdrawal from the situation but was not looking for a physical exit. this lead her to suspect the possibility of Taylor having powers, but Taylors physical build didn't match any capes she was aware of so she couldn't be sure with the possibility of a fresh trigger being such a low percentage it was a poor gamble at best. Deciding to sate her curiosity she made the offer to Via napkin to Taylor to discuss capes. This has two possibilities. If Taylor calls and wants to talk about capes as a civilian then cool she was wrong and maybe has someone she can use as an alibi in the future. But if Taylor asks about being a cape then she will have confirmed her suspicions and may attempt to recruit Taylor. To put it plainly Lisa is making a guess that could go either way but the potential for gain far outweighs any wasted time on her part.
If there are further questions feel free to leave them in the reviews or a PM. I won't delete Guest reviews unless they are just plain abuse (you know who you are) and not about a specific dislike in the fic, but guest reviews will not receive a response unless there are enough about the same issue that it warrants an edit or mention in the next chapter. Reviews by readers whom have a profile will receive a response via PM for questions. Thank you either way for taking the time to leave a review and help me smooth it out a bit.
K. Raiden