Chapter 3: Collapse?


Since Helen learned the symbiote was free and coming after her, she was on high alert. So much so, it affected her daily life and superhero activities to the point of exhaustion and even more overprotectiveness over her family; training day and night whenever she could to prepare for the fight of her life(literally).

Today Helen was away at the grocery store. Meanwhile the rest of the family gathered around the living room to discuss Helen's situation.

Tell me, it's not just me right? Mom has been acting weird, Dash asked.

Yeah, I know she's overprotective but it's more so than usual, dad, do you have any idea what's going on with her? Violet asks.

I have no idea, I don't know what's going on with her. I tried to talk to her about it but she keeps avoiding and changing the topic. I have never seen her like this, Bob answers Violet's question.

They had asked anyone who knew Helen closely, Lucius, Edna but no one seemed to have a genuine clue as to what has caused her recent change. Violet suggested they backtracked to hopefully find the place and time, her behavior change started.

What about last week when I pranked the teacher and mom found out about it? Dash suggested.

No, it couldn't have been, it was WAY before that and obviously mom would be mad at you for doing that for the zillion times now, Violet said.

They continued to bounce and forth, trying to guess when it all started. As it seemed to be a dead end, Violet looked at the home phone and saw it was flashing. Just then as if a light bulb turned on above her head. The day of the BEACH! Violet blurted out.

Sorry what? Dash & Bob stopped their conversation as Violet started explaining her theory. Remember when we came home after we saved Jack-Jack on the beach. Mom deleted all of those messages when we came home. Violet refreshing their memories.

Because she said it was a scam caller. Bob stated. But what if it wasn't, dad? Did anyone actually check those messages? Violet asked and everyone shocked their heads, saying no.

Right, then how could we know?

But she wouldn't lie to us, would she? Mom hates lying, Dash said. Like the time, dad lied about the vacation and we had to save him from that syndrome guy, Dash continued.

Dash, you really had to bring that up? Bob was about to go on a rant on how his son could have picked any other moment he had lied to Helen but reading the situation, he stopped himself from doing so.

But Dash is right, Vi, she wouldn't lie to us, Bob backing up Dash's statement.

Then how do you explain, later that day, mom seemed out of it like she saw a ghost? We all remember how we ate dinner but she didn't get into the conversation like usual, like she didn't even try to stop Dash from skipping the vegetables? Or we had to shout really loud to make her snap out of her thoughts? Ever since she's been acting weird.

They started to agree with Violet's theory but they remained cautious about calling her out without real evidence. Just then, Helen stepped through the door, carrying groceries, looking exhausted.

They nodded to each other, understanding the only way to get the truth was to confront her.

Bob, Dash, Violet, could you help me bring in the rest of the groceries? Helen commanded as she noticed they were looking at her dead in the eye. Why are you looking at me like that? She asked.

Mom, have you lied to us? Violet asked her mom straight out as Helen put a few of the grocery bags on the kitchen bench. Why would you ask that, you know I hate lying, Helen responded but something about her tone made them doubt her words.

Then why have you acted so strange lately, mom? Violet continued questioning her. What do you mean strange, Vi? How have I behaved differently, I'm like how I usually I'm, Helen disagreeing.

Everyone looked at her with a "really" facial expression as if she wasn't trying to lie.

So could you explain why you looked so pale after the phone call? Everyone looked at Violet with a confused expression. What phone call? Helen spoke with a more serious tone this time.

I'm sorry for listening in but on the day we were on the beach, I happened to see you call someone in the cellar, I didn't want to disturb you but seeing how you looked different after that, I can no longer stop thinking about it. Who did you call and what was said to make you so overprotective? Violet not settling for a NO.

Vi, I was just talking to an old friend, who informed me she had died. I'm sorry for not telling earlier but I needed to deal with it alone, Helen using her sharp wits to change the topic.

They continued to ask about her "dead" friend but the more she started talking, they knew she was lying and it hurt. Suddenlyl Bob noticed Helen was looking really pale.

Sweety, are you feeling alright? You seem pale? Bob is worrying about his own wife. Before Helen could reply, her vision started to blur and her body suddenly felt heavy. Seconds later she passed out and fell to the floor. The last thing she remembered was her family calling out to her before everything went black.

When Helen woke up, she was in the master bedroom and everyone surrounded the bed, looking at her, everyone felt relieved she was okay.

What happened? Helen asked. You passed while you were unpacking the groceries. Dash answered with a worried look.

Helen tried to stand up but they immediately stopped her. Woah, mom, you need to rest, you haven't rested enough. Violet said. I'm fine, I just need to move around a bit but her body said otherwise as she could barely stand.

Something was definitely up and playing nice was no longer an option as Violet pushed her mom for answers. Helen's tolerance ran out as she did the unthinkable and started swearing at her own children and husband. But as she realized she was doing and seeing Jack-Jack cry. She immediately regretted her actions.

After calming down Jack-Jack. Helen realized how she was hurting them more than helping them and she should have told the truth from the start despite how afraid she was to reveal it.

Someone is coming to kill me and I wasn't born with superpowers, Helen said it out loud.

Everyone's eyes shot wide open as they were shocked to hear the words that came out of her mouth. What do you mean Helen, there's someone trying to kill you and what do you mean, you weren't born with superpowers? Bob asked.

It is exactly as it sounds, Helen sighed. Then we stop whoever they are as a family, like we always do, Dash said triumphantly. Helen admired her son's positivity but this was a battle, none of them should be involved in. The last thing she wanted was to lose her family.

Violet felt a bit guilty for pushing her own mom to this situation. Mom, if you don't want to tell us, it's okay, we're sorry for pushing you, Violet said. No, I've been so caught up in protecting all of you, I failed to notice I was doing more bad than good. It's time, I tell the truth. Helen's body was shaking out of fear, wondering if her family would ever trust her once they knew her past.

I…


Not 100% happy with the quality of the chapter. I was originally going to include the backstory which will be revealed in chapter 4 but realized it was going to be too long for one chapter and I wanted it to be its own thing.

Thanks for taking the time to read my fanfic.