7 The hero of another story (1/2)

Chicago

Kayla still isn't really sure she isn't dreaming. Her brother Max, who is supposed to be in New York, has been telling the story of what happened to him the night before.

When he first showed her his powers, she almost fainted. Not her proudest moment as security guard! But how do you react logically to the news that your slacking younger brother can turn into a laser now?

He's been going on for hours now. First he wanted to show her how many tricks he's already mastered. Then how awesome the situation is. Then he bragged that he went to the Moon and how awesome it was. Then what he's going to do with this awesome powers, that he's going to be a superhero and fight evil. Then he said how everything is awesome now, to the point that the word ”awesome” is starting to make her sick.

<Okay, let me get this straight> she interrupts him <You went to a bar where the waitress was a goddess. Then an alien blob that looked like a woman teleported you on the Moon with a rock, then used the rock to disintegrate you, the goddess put you back together and now you've got powers?>

<If the next word that comes out of your mouth is ”awesome” I swear to God I'm gonna shoot you.>

<…cool? We also saved New York from a meteor!>

<Nice job at that; did you see the news? It looks like a warzone!>

<I sort of did see it. I turned into radio waves and bounced between a few stations, but it gave me a headache so I stopped.>

<You made billions of damages…wait, you can turn into radio waves too?>

<I think I can turn into any kind of energy.>

<You think.>

<Have you ever turned into energy before, sis? It's not like you see a giant neon sign telling you what you've turned into.>

<Or you could ask the goddess> Kayla answers.

Max opens his mouth to answer, then stops realizing he really doesn't have anything to say except:

<You know, that's actually a good idea.>

<Max, you mean it never came to your mind to ask some questions to the person that gave you superpowers!?>

<Hey! You came up with that idea! Wait, that's actually worse, isn't it?>

Kayla sighs. Her brother has never been the sharpest mind in the world, but now he's trapped in a permanent sugar high. Just then, her phone starts ringing.

<Just pray this isn't my boss calling> she warns him, answering the phone.

<Hello?>

<I am Null> answers a female voice on the other side.

<Do I know you?>

<I must speak to your brother. Now.>

Kayla looks at her brother, then puts the call on speaker and hands the phone to Max.

<Hello? Is this Null?>

<Drop the speaker, mister Black. I have no need to talk to miss Black.>

<Definitely Null. What's up?>

<This is supposed to be a private conversation, mister Black.>

<Call me Max. So, do you want me to join your team?>

<My what?>

<Your superhero team!>

<What are you talking about?>

<I can turn into energy, Vesta can fly and shoot fire, and you've got that glowing eyes thing.>

<…>

<Hello?>

<Can I speak to your sister?>

<I've got a better idea!> Max answers, disappearing so quickly to let the phone fall to the ground.

New York

Noriko also drops the phone when Max appears right in front of her in the blink of an eye, on the other side of the phone booth. This being New York, very few people notice.

<These things still work? I thought everyone had a cell these days> he wonders.

<I did own a cell phone. I dismantled it before breakfast to build a spectrometer> she answers, stepping out of the booth.

She takes a long look; she really didn't have the time the night before. He's still wearing the same T-shirt and grey hoodie.