Chapter 129: Birth of a Hero Part 3 (1/2)
”Mother?”
The woman stopped turning around, matching the appearance of her vision just older. ”You've grown so much haven't you daughter of mine?”
Zinnia stood in shock, unsure what to think. She spent her whole life looking for her mother and to have that woman standing in front of her Zinnia was overwhelmed, to say the least. She turned to the baby wrapped up kneeling, picking her up, cradling her close. Staring at the child, she just knew it was her. ”Is that really you?”
Pulling her hood down, she smiled nodding. Her hair was much shorter, almost shaved but still sharing the same vibrant pink. ”You have my stunning looks I see… Wow, not much of a joker, are you?”
”This isn't real.”
”Perhaps.” She shrugged off. ”I've seen your streams. I couldn't be more proud honey.”
Zinnia smiled, but that faded as she stared on, confused. ”If you've been watching, why haven't you come for me?”
”It's complicated… I did this to keep you safe.”
Zinnia looked down at the baby in her arms swelling up. ”You left me on the doorstep of an orphanage with no reason! You abandoned me.”
Hannah sighed, lowing her head. ”I did, didn't I? I could say sorry, but I know an apology isn't what you are after. One day I know you'll understand.”
”It's because you're a villain.”
Hannah turned around, looking startled. ”How do you know about that?”
”The Garden showed me a vision. It took me to the past and showed me who you really are.” Zinnia frowned on gripping the cape wrapped around the baby. ”All my life, I looked up to you. Held onto this cape you left me with as a sign. A sign of being the best I could be, to follow in your footsteps and be a hero! But that's all a lie… Why? Why would you do that to me?”
Hannah took a deep breath looking to the sky. ”It's true. At one point, I was a villain. I only cared about myself and making as much money as possible. I would steal and cause chaos for my own self-gain. I hurt good people, innocent people. Your father was the one who would always try and stop me. Now that man was nothing less than a hero, he would never give up if it was for good and justice. Even with the grasp, the Syndicate family had on him.”
”Syndicate family?”
”You've probably heard of them, well what's left of them. Back then, they had full control over the heroes and villains. A total monopoly you could say… They had dirt on your father and forced him to take down corrupt mayors and villains who didn't kneel to their rule. Even then, he would eventually stand against them. Got me all rallied behind that doofus.” She giggled, looking gloomy. ”He didn't just save our city over and over, but he saved me. Pulled me out of that dark hole I held myself in and showed me the truth. Because of him, I found my actual purpose. I became a hero because of him.”
”You became a hero… Because of dad?”
Hannah laughed, rubbing her eyes. ”Don't tell him that though… He would never let me live that one down.”
”What happened to him?”
”He's gone Zinnia… He lost to the Garden so many years ago.”
Zinnia bit her lip nodding. ”I expected something like that… Doesn't make it hurt any less. Mum…”
”Yes?”