Awakening
Superheroes Guild Internal Memorandum on Public Exposure
The public has now learned of the existence of the superhero sub-species. The Superheroes Guild, which is an official arm of this government, has been planning this moment for decades. The day is finally here that we are able to operate freely, in costume, with the full support of the US government. We will now begin a slow roll-out of information to the public disclosing certain aspects of our training regime and policy. Heroes will now also be able to sign with corporations, both for crime fighting support and security, as well as publicity. Congratulations, heroes! Our time is now. A new age has begun in the history of America and the world.
Shit! Thought Ryan, as the rain started to come down. Big, heavy drops, which probably meant a storm was on the way. At the moment, Ryan was more worried about his music getting ruined. The main downside of walking to school, even the relatively minuscule two block distance between Ryan’s home and Amboy Community High School, was that any music, books, or projects he brought along were vulnerable to the elements. Rain was the last thing he needed today, because he already didn’t feel great some odd feeling in his stomach was really bothering him, and he hoped it didn’t become anything serious right as finals started.
Ryan grumbled to himself about his mild predicament as he unenthusiastically shuffled across Johnson Boulevard, and then turned the corner towards the school.
Ryan broke into a run as he grew nearer to the building’s main entrance, which was covered, probably to protect students in this exact predicament. As he sped under the covered area, Ryan nearly ran straight into Ted Jamison, another student who took the school’s “early bird” morning class, so he could have another period in his normal day.
“Hey Ryan” mumbled Ted, no doubt grumpy about the rain “how ya doin’?” “Alright” said Ryan, similarly disposed. “I don’t feel too great, to be honest. Something wrong with my stomach. Besides, we only have two more days left until finals week, and that freak Mr. Martin is still giving us a test. Unbelievable.”
“Yeah, Chemistry sucks. Still, be glad that you’re taking AP physics next year. It’s fun.” Replied Ted. “Where is that security guard to open this door, anyway? It’s almost 6:20, and I’m soaking wet!” As is conjured by Ted’s words, the security guard turned the corner onto the long, wide hallway that lead to the main entrance. It took him a full 87 seconds to get to the main entrance (Ryan counted) as he and Ted stared at the guard.
When he finally arrived, he opened the first door on the left to let the boys in, and then went unlock the other six doors that made up the entrance. Ted and Ryan strolled down the main hall, and Ted said “Hey, you saw those documents that the Superheroes Guild released, right? That is some crazy shit.” “Yeah, I can’t believe they have that much cash.” The boys turned on their way to the music hall. They split off, Ted to the orchestra room and Ryan to the band room, to deliver all the music they had borrowed early in the year to their directors.
The school was mostly empty at this time of day, so as Ted and Ryan met back up after delivering their music, their voices and footsteps were the only sound in the barren halls. As the two boys strolled into the cafeteria, Ryan remarked: “The jazz band was really, really good this year, you know. I’ll bet that Mr. Lake and Mr. Roosevelt add another weekly practice session next year.” “I just hope it doesn’t interfere with robotics.” Mused Ted. “I don’t want to be forced to choose.” “Yeah, I’d hate if it screws up my Model UN schedule next year.” Said Ryan.
Ryan played the saxophone in jazz band, and was also a leader of the minuscule model UN club. Ted played the standup bass, and was the president of the school’s lowly robotics club. Both boys were tall, over six feet, but that was the end of most similarities.
Ryan was broadly built and almost six foot four, with rectangular glasses, an oval face, and straight, medium-length brown hair parted down the middle. Ted was about an inch shorter, but much more lanky with a narrower face and curly black hair that sat high on his head.
The two boys made their way through the cafeteria, a wide room with one wall made completely of windows that faced the pickup and drop off area, Ryan sometimes joked that it was built that way to taunt to the students that they couldn’t leave yet. It was filled with brown collapsible tables made of fake wood, with built-in benches.
Ted and Ryan passed through the cafeteria, and turned left into the gym hallway. The temperature increased to an uncomfortable level immediately, as the gym wing of the school had no AC, and summer was about to begin. The suffocating air only added to the general feeling of discomfort Ryan had, as the pulling feeling in his gut deepened. The boys changed into their gym clothes in the locker room, and headed into the school’s large contest gym. The walls of the gym were adorned with a giant, painted sign in blue and white that said “GO VIKINGS” along with posters listing school records and championships for all of the school’s sports teams.
Inside the gym, various early bird students of all grades milled around with their friends. Ted and Ryan walked through the crowd until they found their people. There was Maple, short, curly-haired, sometimes meek and clingy, Ted’s boyfriend. Gary, of medium height, with a very wide build, gregarious personality and straight brown hair. Finally, Evan, about the same height as Gary but very thin, with glasses and long curly hair that almost covered his eyes. Ryan thought Evan could be surly and argumentative, but he was very smart. Everybody in the group was smart, as a matter of fact. Ted and Maple broke off together before they were interrupted by Maple’s friend Alyssa, as Ryan joined Gary and Evan in a discussion about politics that turned heated very quickly. Evan was also a member of Model UN.
A minute or so later, the booming voice of Mr. Thomas gathered together all the assorted kids. “Today, we’re going to be playing volleyball!” Rasped the gym teacher, seeming a little out of breath just from standing up. Mr. Thomas was very overweight, but it was apparent that he had once been very athletic and strong. “Split yourselves up into teams, however you like, and we’re just going to play volleyball, I guess.” Mr. Thomas, like all of the teachers who taught early bird, really couldn’t be bothered to put together a comprehensive lesson plan for a class that started at six thirty AM.
The group of friends broke off into a team and began to play with another group. Neither team was at all athletic, so the game mostly consisted of incompetent serves, occasional shots to the face, and random chatter.
Ted and Ryan played near the net, and they began to talk about Lisa, a girl Ryan had his eye on. “Seriously dude, come on. It’s not like anything bad is going to happen to you if you ask her out.” Scolded Ted. “Easy for you to say, you’re already with the person you want to be with. Besides, the last time I asked someone out, my brother went through my phone, found the rejection message, and ruthlessly made fun of me for days.” Retorted Ryan. “Anyway, have you been seeing all this stuff that’s coming out about the Guild of Heroes? How they run their academies, and all that? The officially released document said the Guild was founded in 1956. Heroes have only been publicly known for a few months. It’s crazy that they’ve been able to hide for so long!” “Not really.” Evan chimed in. “They’ve got superpowers, it’s not like they’re a normal government agency trying to hide something. Plus, some of their members are super rich.” “I guess.” Said Ryan. “Still crazy, though.”
Ryan still felt that odd pull in his gut that he felt before. It was getting stronger now, like something inside him was about to snap. Mr. Thomas told the class to switch teams, but Ryan hardly heard him. The feeling in his gut had become painful, no longer something to ignore. As the group walked over to their new opponents, Ted tapped his shoulder and asked: “hey, are you okay? You look pretty bad right now.” “I’m fine” Ryan brushed him off.
Their new opponents were a group of very good volleyball players. Ryan wasn’t even focused on the game anymore, as the pain doubled. His stomach felt like it was burning with the power of a dry Christmas tree doused in lighter fluid. Dimly, he was aware that the other team was starting to serve the ball. Ryan managed to look up just in time to see a white sphere-belatedly he realized it must be the volleyball-flying directly towards his face.
In an instant, the ball his Ryan directly in his face, just as the pain in his gut seemed to reach an apex. All Ryan noticed was a brilliant flash of white light that consumed his vision, and an earth-shattering BANG!
And then he was out.
