Rebellion (Book One of the Unmasked Series)

Superheroes in Lewis City had a bad habit of stealing cars.

In the driver’s seat of an ’84 Challenger was the city’s golden boy himself - Omega. He had perfect blonde hair, a chiseled face, and a grin only the most egotistical of men could have.

Omega, or lesser-known as Michael Turner, had an ego to match his power. At the ripe age of fourteen, he learned he was gifted with strength enviable by the gods and heroes of any tale. He performed in front of crowds across Lewis City, becoming the first human to demonstrate his supernatural abilities to the world.

By age twenty-two, Michael became an official superhero. The mayor certified him a hero for saving an old lady and her grouchy cat from a burning building. A week later he proved himself again by stopping a car chase. He stood in front of a vehicle plowing down the street at over a hundred miles an hour and grabbed the front bumper. The criminal fled in horror, barreled straight into the chest of a cop. From there, his career took off, so far that the jobs became too strenuous to take on alone.

Somewhere between the road from Memphis to Phoenix, he picked up a sidekick, the beautiful Nadia McCay, or soon to become Facade. On a humid summer day, she stuck out her thumb and strode down the road, desperate for a ride out of town. Omega picked her up, neither knowing of each other’s gifts or pasts.

“I’ll take your money, darling, or you’ll be seeing angry, naked leprechauns for a week,” she’d said, stretching outside the car. Her threats were casual as if she was used to mugging superheroes.

“How about you put your power to better use and join me?” Michael asked, a dazzling smile strung across his handsome face. He handed her a business card, and Facade grinned. “I could use a partner like you.”

Now they sped down the highway, in tow of the infamous villain with fewer morals than living parents, both of which he heavily lacked. Volt lived his life running around Lewis City, harassing citizens and robbing banks. His signature bank robberies began and ended with an electrical failure, the systems shocked with volts generated by the villain’s willpower. For a kid who grew up on the streets with average looks and a low IQ, Volt’s power was a miracle. The hand he was dealt with was a winner’s.

“Step on the gas!” Facade shouted, tracking Volt’s dented black Camaro as it weaved between honking cars and angry bikers. The race reminded her of following a ping pong ball beneath cups that circled around and around, playing a trick of sorts. She never could find the cup with the ball.

“Use your power!” Omega demanded.

“Fine!”

The car lurched forward, and Facade reached out with her mind, sieving through innocent citizens. Volt, like other superhumans, stood out as a bright light among dimmer minds. She grasped the light and imagined a wall before his eyes. Volt believed the illusion for a moment, then barreled through the imaginary blockade. Facade lost her grip on the villain and slipped back into her mind.

“Didn’t work, darling.”

Michael rolled his eyes like an annoyed teenager. “I can see that!” A thought crossed his mind as they often did in stressful times. “We’ll run him out at the bridge. It’s still under construction.”

Facade sat back, gripping the arm of her seat. “Just don’t run us off. I never learned how to swim.”

Omega swerved between cars, inching closer to Volt’s bumper. The Challenger cut to the left and rammed Volt off the road. Volt turned onto the bridge, ignoring the warning signs. Cars screeched to a stop as Michael raced after, ready to slam on the brakes.

At the edge of the bridge, Volt skid to a stop. His tires screamed, and the car tilted toward the raging river below.

Omega went to open his door as something cold met his head. His blue eyes glanced to the right and met Nadia’s. They were wild with contempt.

Where Facade held her hand like a gun, Michael saw a weapon. He knew it was a trick, but his heart raced on.

“You can’t hurt me.”

“Your mind’ll still think you were shot, darling. You’ll be out of the game for four days at least.”

Michael’s hands grasped the steering wheel with intensity. He quaked in anger. He trusted Nadia since the day they met.

Facade glanced at Volt who scrambled away from his car. It fell off the bridge, landing with a loud splash. She looked at Volt like she used to look at Omega.

Nadia spoke in a harsh tone.“Here’s how this is going to work. You’re going to get out of the car.” She looked at Volt again. “I’m going to take it, and you will never search for me.”

“You can’t be ser-”

Nadia pushed the gun into his temple. “I’m sick of being your side piece. It’s time I get a bit of the action. So get out of the damn car, hun.”

With reluctance, Michael peeled himself out of the car. Facade took his spot with glee but never dropped her hand.

“On the ground with your hands behind your back.”

Michael dropped like an obedient dog.

“Good. Now stay, boy.”

His face pressed to the concrete, Omega muttered, “I won’t forget this, Facade.”

She laughed, a sound like a scratched disc. The noise didn’t suit her stunning appearance, but not many heard the humorless laugh. The ugliest part of Facade was hidden beneath a cold, stern exterior. “You won’t do anything. You’ve got a city to save on the daily. Ain’t no time for a little thing like me.”

“Dammit, Fac-”

“Tsk. Tsk. The hero has a potty mouth,” Volt teased, crouching in front of Michael. He held Omega’s chin up to meet his eyes. Unlike the compelling blue specks of Omega, his enemy’s eyes were a cold grey.

Michael spat on the villain’s shiny shoe. “Don’t touch me!”

Volt stood, sighing.

A light breeze made his coat ripple in the wind. His naturally-white hair flipped from left to right, revealing an old scar across his cheek. It made Volt look as vicious as a monster that waited around every dark corner for its next victim. He wasn’t a monster but a man with too much power and vengeance.

Nadia broke the silence. “You getting in or waiting for the cops?”

“I’m coming with you, of course.” The last syllable came out sing-songy, sweet compared to Volt’s usual gruff voice. Nadia couldn’t decide if the melodious note was genuine or false, so she brushed the thought aside.

Volt leaped into the passenger seat, then ruffled his hair. He sat anxiously like a child on their way to Disney World. The plan went off without a hitch, despite the fact his precious car had tumbled off a bridge, and that excited him. After all, he won Nadia’s trust, claiming the biggest feat over Omega.

“Buckle up. We’re getting out of this town.”

The illusionist put the car in reverse, pulled on Michael’s sunglasses, and floored the engine. The Challenger turned onto the street filling with news vans and reporters, then rolled away before the first camera could snap a picture.

“Omega! Omega, what happened here?!” a short woman in a pantsuit called, waving a microphone in his face.

Michael stood and adjusted his mask, unsure of what to say for the first time in his life. He stuttered, “I-I lost my sidekick.”