I yawned as I dragged myself off my bed. Rubbing my tired eyes. Yesterday, I returned home at dinner time, which was usually seven o'clock in the evening. And I left my house at eight in the morning, which meant I went out helping with construction while also stopping crime (Because crime still happens even after a giant robot nearly killed everyone in the city, people will do petty thievery or something dumb) for nearly twelve hours.
I lied to everyone that I was tired and going to get some sleep. I headed to my room and locked the door. Placing a small camera hidden in my pillow to watch my door in case mom or dad wants to barge into my room to talk to me. It was so I could quickly fly back and pretend I was in bed the whole time. Gavin and I knew it was about time. I started creating measures for my late-night outing about a couple of weeks ago, when my mom barged into my room out of nowhere. Only to find me gone from my bed.
Mom nearly called the police until I zoomed back, going invisible and going inside the downstairs bathroom. Before exiting out and pretending I've been there the whole time. They asked why I didn't answer when shouting my name, and I…might have given them the excuse that I was playing with my 'Sausage' in the bathroom. The whole time, Mom nods her head, relieved.
Athena was confused. Dad, on the other hand, was grinning ear-to-ear like a madman. It was utterly embarrassing. Especially when I made the unfortunate mistake of telling Gavin and Jason, who didn't stop laughing for ten minutes. And I'm not exaggerating, I counted.
Suffice to say, that camera is totally needed and the lock as well. Back to the present, I quickly changed into my suit and flew out through my window and returned to Toronto. I stayed and helped until it was four in the morning. Again, while I didn't need to sleep all that much, it doesn't change the fact that only sleeping for less than five hours felt like horsecrap. And I have no clue how adults survive and work with that much sleep without my powers.
Overall, waking up after that many hours of sleep made me want to bash my skull on Mount Everest. It was a Sunday, and since we weren't very religious people, we stayed home. Works for me, I have to continue repairing the city. First, I went downstairs. People were still sleeping, which meant I was alone in the kitchen.
With a foggy brain and a restless, irritated look, I brewed some coffee for myself—black coffee with a spoonful of twenty sugars. I sipped the warm liquid into my mouth. Almost instantly, I could feel the magical powers of the nectar flowing into my veins, making me alert, or that could be just the caffeine jump-starting my system. Either way, I shook a little from the sudden bits of energy in my body.
"That's the ticket," I murmured, sipping more.
I finished my cup of coffee and washed my mug. I wanted to leave immediately to resume helping the construction workers. I heard from Mack that with the pace we're going, it will take two more weeks before Toronto is fully repaired, with no signs that there ever was an attack. Just remembering that causes me to get hyped. But there's a problem, my Mom.
Mom will absolutely freak out if she doesn't see me for breakfast. I don't need her to ground me and waste a full day when there are many things that still need finishing. I mean, I could go now and return in under a second. When you can move at the speed of light, nothing is really too far or too long. But it was a hassle.
I didn't want to go back and forth. It breaks my concentration and my workflow. I knew the real reason, though…I missed spending time with my family. Being in school for six hours and using the remainder of my day patrolling the city, family time is at an all-time low. What's worse, I'm expanding my hero work.
Usually, I spend all my time in Toronto. It was a big city with dozens of crimes happening. But ever since I made my debut, crime has taken a drop. It's to the point that the only thing I have to deal with usually is dummies who have the genius idea to drink alcohol while driving. So I broaden my patrol to the entirety of Ontario.
Roaming in the sky, listening in for police frequencies or sensing trouble with Mind's Eye. I helped a lot of people, but at the same time, I knew I was hurting my family by not being there for them. They must have thought I hated them or had done something wrong when I just wanted to fulfill my duties. I stared at the sink with a sad expression. I swept my hair and released a sigh of both frustration and mental exhaustion.
I looked at the time on the stove. It's still pretty early. In about an hour, Mom or Dad should be going downstairs. I heard the skitter of my dog, walking to me. Poochie sniffed and rubbed his head on my leg. I dropped down and petted the adorable rascal.
"Hey man, what's up?" I say, playfully rubbing his cheek. "You miss me, boy?"
Poochie barked. I smiled. Knowing what to do to pass the time. I grabbed the leash and attached it to Poochie's harness before exiting the house to go for a walk. The cool breeze from the autumn season made me relaxed and normal. Something I hadn't felt for quite a while. Speaking for a while, I realized I haven't walked out on Poochie for who knows how long.
I frowned as we walked across the park. I'm not just neglecting my family, but my best friend too? I tried to stomach down the guilt, which worked, somewhat. As my dog and I ventured around Harvest Hills, I felt relaxed and calm, which was normal for me.
Whenever I feel down, sad or feel like the world is trying to consume me whole, walks especially with Poochie at my side and the chill in the air truly does relieve my nerves. I tighten the grip on my leash, my eyebrows furrowing. I should feel relaxed, and yet, there is this bizarre feeling in my stomach…
A sense of dread.
It's similar to the feeling of just chilling and fooling around, knowing that soon, that unfinished homework is still a problem. It's like that, but ten times worse. It festers at the back of my mind. It never allowed me to truly relax. I wondered while I was relaxing and having fun. Back in Toronto, some madman or another weapon by the Monarchs decided to harm people.
What if someone is getting hurt, wondering where I am? Meanwhile, I'm over here, relaxing with my dog. It made me tense and worried. I wanted to be a better superhero, really, I do. So, is wanting to hang out with my family selfish?
After what happened in Toronto. After people suffered and died because of my decision, do I really deserve to hang around my family? Do I even deserve to be this relaxed and happy? I grit my teeth. Great, now I'm no longer chilled out, and my face looks so guilty that people might have thought I committed a murder or something.
I brought Poochie home. By then, everyone is already downstairs. Dad cooks breakfast while Mom enjoys the eggs and sausage. Athena, on the other hand, is staring at me with an excited expression.
"Oh, hey Ben." Dad greets. "Care for some eggs?"
I shook my head, unleashing Poochie and putting on the hanger.
"I'm okay, I need to go to Gavin's again."
Mom and Dad frowned, but they didn't say anything. However, Athena looks heartbroken, her eyes water.
"You said you're free today..?"
I licked my dry lips, trying to find the right words to say, but since I hadn't said I was free today, I said that I would try to make some time. Obviously, I lied, always intending to go out, but still...I hated making my sister cry. It made me feel like the biggest scumbag in the whole world. But people need me.
She's okay without me.
"Sorry, Tina…I'll try to-" I tried to approach her.
She turns her head away, looking heartbroken and angry. Athena wipes her tears and crosses her arms.
"Fine, I don't want to play with a big dummy, like you, anyway."
"Athena-" Dad tried to say, but Athena rushed out of the dining table and went into her room.
The three of us were tense for several moments, only to be broken with a sigh from Dad. He put the remaining food on the plate and placed it on the table.
"I'll go try to make your sister feel better. I'll see you later, Ben."
He gives one more nod before heading inside Athena's room. Now it's just Mom and me. We both didn't move, staring at the floor in awkward silence. I know I should be going, but my feet were rooted to the floor. I felt like a massive butthole. I know I have more important things to do, though I can't help just wanting to stay here and make Athena feel better.
I mean, when was the last time I hung around my sister or anyone in this house? I know, I keep bringing it up to myself, but…a part of me misses the simple life of an ordinary boy. A life where I wasn't burdened by all this responsibility. Finally, after five minutes of just standing like an idiot, my legs were finally able to move, but before I could leave the kitchen, Mom called out to me.
"What are you really doing at Gavin's place? You seemed…stressed out. Are you sure you can't take the day off and just relax?"
I swallowed, trying my best not to look at her eyes. Because if I do, I might just spill everything.
"It's…something important, but I'm okay, really."
I could feel her gaze linger on me. She releases a tired breath, rubbing the bridge of her nose.
"Just be safe, okay?"
I nodded and wordlessly left the house. Quickly changing and flying to get to Toronto. Time passed. It didn't take long until it was nearly five PM.
Nothing happened. Aside from a couple of lost kids, mugging and a person committing public indecency, it's a pretty normal day in Toronto. As per usual, I continued helping Mack and his people with the rebuilding process. It's a little boring, though, as Emily isn't here to talk. She says during my talk with her, using my SEE Goggles, that they're going to Ripley's Aquarium today. So aside from the occasional conversations I had with Mack or the other construction workers, I was left with my own thoughts and feelings.
I felt happy that I was doing something meaningful. I love being a hero. While I do love my life with my family, if I had to pick…honestly, it would be hard. It's the choice between familial connection and love versus fulfilling who I am, what I'm made for. Still, a small voice did echo in my head, that I should check up on my family really quickly.
And I almost did, but I always pull myself back. They're fine. The worst that could happen is that Athena scrapes her knees playing around. And yet…why do I feel this sense of dread in my stomach? I grabbed another steel beam and used my laser beams to attach it to the building as per Mack's instructions.
I was about to move to carry more shipments to the site, until Gavin's voice came to my ear. Surprising me.
"Ben."
I flinched, his voice spooking me. Gavin and I haven't spoken for a couple of days, not because we got into an argument or anything. No, apparently Gavin is busy doing….something. He wouldn't tell me something involving his toy and merch business, and so wouldn't be supervising my hero work for a little while. He'll contact me if I need help or if an emergency happens, is what he said.
Wait a minute… I immediately got serious, already levitating off the ground, ready to fly off.
"What's wrong? Is there a disaster or crime?"
"...Ben, I-...Your father and sister…"
As he mentioned, Dad and Athena, my stomach dropped. Then he begins to tell me what's going on. Each word coming from the earpiece made me pale and sickly. My head was spinning as a wild mixture of emotions clashed within me like a tsunami. Gavin hadn't even finished his story when I had already started flying in the direction of the Newmarket hospital.
A sonic boom was created behind me as I moved really quickly to get to my destination. It only took about half a second for me to get there. Already switching back to my civilian outfit. In the entrance, Gavin was waiting for me, his phone to his ear. He seemed slightly surprised to see me get here fast. I sped to Gavin and looked him straight in the eye.
Face covered in sweat. Expression wild and fearful.
"Where's my Dad?" I croaked out.
Gavin wordlessly held my hand as we entered the hospital. Walking to my dad's room felt like a blur. It felt like I was at the entrance, and with a blink, I was at Dad's hospital bed. Next to him is my Mom, haggard with puffy red eyes, looking like about to pass out from the stretch. Dad, on the other hand…he looked to be in terrible shape.
He's unconscious. Both of his eyes were swollen, but his right eye swelled to the point it looked like thousands of bees had stung him there. He had multiple gashes and cuts on his lip and forehead. He's got one large cut right under his right eye that needs stitches. He looked like a corpse.
The only thing making me think otherwise is the heart monitor reading that his heart is moving. Slow and weak, but stable. What the hell happened? I was only gone for hours!? Everyone was here, the only exception was Poochie and a certain little redheaded girl.
"Ben…!" Mom latched her arms around me, holding me tight. "They took her, they took Athena!"