I wonder why i even tell him this. Sigh. Am I that weak in the knees now that that bastard as slithered into my life yet again? and now he's brought that man with him. I want to scream but all i can do is pinch myself for being this weak. I knew I shouldn't have come back. The teasing. The diapers. EVERYTHING. Why does my mind make me feels so guilty whenever my damn heart just believes there is a chance someone out there will be good?
I breathe out again as i wait for his dreaded teasing and it did come.
"You're scared of butterflies?" He held in his laughter but it spilled out in soft cackles. I didn't hesitate to delete him from my mind yet again. He's just a bloody enemy.
"Well, fuck you too. The next time i find a snake or a rodent that you're afraid of, you can jump to it" I said.
"Good luck finding it. I'm not afraid of animals." He mocked. Fucking liar.
"I won't need it. I will need your dad's phone number though." I snarked as I walked off.
"Why would you..." His eyesballs showed their full potential as they glared right at me. "GET BACK HERE BOOT."
"No, sir. I think this lady needs my help." I winked as i ran off.
Wow. I can't believe I said that. My god. My heart raced as I tried to run off. I just insulted him back! I put him in his place! I almost did a little dance but didn't wanna embarrass myself even further so I settled for bare minimum. Letting little squeaks of joy out while I skipped on the sidewalk, unable to hide my smile. Finally. A good thing.
I looked around and heard screams. I almost ran to hide as I took a few steps into the alleyway.
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING BOOT?!" He and the other man came.
I felt his arm grip mine like a vice as he dragged me to their speed.
"Run!" He pushed me as I almost tripped but I held on as we all ran. Fucking hell. The screams got louder and louder as we saw a crowd. We pushed past the people and saw a man dragging a woman as she was thrown to the road floor. "3- Penny-26, We have a situation. Probably Domestic"
"You're a worthless Leech. First you don't listen and now you can't even bloody follow orders" The man screamed as he slapped her several times.
"Now watch" The bastard told me. "Stop. Put your hands in the air." He trained his gun on the man
The man slowly turned and glared. "Or what? You gonna murder me like that butterfly killer, like that worthless whore who wants to turn society on its head?"
"Oh you definitely deserve to be murdered by her" I mused, knowing saying that would get me fired again. I would definitely put him in the wringer... as I tore him limb from limb. "Put your hands up and turn around." The bastard ordered.
"Fuck off. We heroes protect the likes of you scum and you-" I grabbed my taser and almost shot it at him. But that bastard's friend.... my brother came and grabbed my hand.
"Procedure matters." He said softly. "Drastic measures could only make the people hate us more." I yanked my hand off him. This shitbag acting like we are brothers now. "Fuck off." I said. But I didn't shoot. I knew he was right. I looked at the woman and she seemed worse for repair. Beaten. Bruises upon her face. Her hair rumpled up like a dog. She looked like an animal in human skin. Even the bastard noticed.
"What did you do to her?" The words came out before I could stop it.
"What she deserved. What she needed to SERVE ME!" His voice turned into a low growl as he went to grab the lowly woman. Fortunately, the bastard had shot his taser at the man leading him to find purchase on the ground. I would have done it faster if not for that shitbag.
"You don't decide what she deserves. She may just be a lowly sidekick but heroes ought to work together with their sidekicks to maintain their homes. Their lives" The shitbag said as he grabbed the man and cuffed him.
He picked him up. "Radio it in, boot."
"3 - Penny- 26, Code 4. One in custody. Get a unit for pickup and RA."
Wait... my brother just.... he made the arrest. My blood started to boil. I just stood there thinking about how I'd murder this guy while those two dinguses made the arrest. I bet everyone is hollering and cheering for my brother. Like always. During the parties. During the school days. It was always him. He was the one everyone liked. All because he had that stupid power of invincibility. I never....
"Done thinking, boot Jr.?" But I ignored him. "Forgot I could write you a reprimand, Boot Jr.?" He stalked up from behind me, his stern broad shadow covering mine.
"Yes sir." I said. He flicked my head.
"Why do you disrespect authority so much?" He asked as we stared each other down. I could smell his cologne as it slowly seeped into the air around us like a blanket. I felt..... comfort for some awful reason. My hands.... wanted to reach for his. I wanted him.... to hold me close. My body..... didn't want to move.
"I just like doing what i want." I continued staring him down. I could never go to his arms. I cared too much for my own self respect, this bastard only teases and annoys me. Maybe I just need a huge body pillow I could sit on with my babies. "There is an easier way to policing, no?"
"But it's not the right way." He was firm as he walked past me. "There is the easy way and there is the right way. We are here to catch criminals. Not Lawsuits."
We went to the food stall where the shitbag was already talking with the cashier. We went under the shade of the orange cloth held over the tables with Rusty poles.
"Boot and Boot Jr. , Split the bill. Surprise me." He goes and sits down with Officer Hawthorne. I saw Officer Briggs sitting alone and I waved at her. But she didn't hear.
"You want anything?" Shitbag asked me.
"What did you get for the bastard?" He raised one eyebrow and realized who i was talking about.
"He's your training officer" He said with a soft rebuke "and I got him the chicken salad."
"He'll like that?"
"He probably won't like something too heavy or too light. We still have the rest of foot patrol, no?" He was always too damn smart and considerate. "Besides, he is a hard ass isn't he?"
"Pretty much" I let out a chuckle. But stop myself remembering I hate this dude. I saw his smile fade a little.
"You can laugh, you know. Brother. I missed it. Mom and Dad miss you too, you know." I wish it was a lie. Why must they act kind now?
"Of course... Things only are of value once lost." My voice grew cold. Even the full sleeved cop uniform we both wore, now felt warm. Warmer in the tense cold air. "And you never lost. Not once."
"Not in front of you. Why the hell would I? Dad always told me to be someone you look up to."
"I can't look up that far. My head won't tilt that high, unlike yours." I stalked off. Our lives were always separated. He had more opportunities for all the physical good he could do in the world while I, wasn't worth the effort simply because my powers weren't as flashy.
After the scientific boon.... our powers were rendered obsolete the moment it was recreated. Somehow most superheroes signed up to implant themselves with drugs to make them lie detectors, emotional manipulators. Leaving us to rot with the non-powerful.
He will never understand how we felt, when we first saw the news claiming "THE REVOLUTION HAS BEGUN" showing the shameless replication of our powers. It kept mocking us. Everyone was pissed at first even the heroes themselves. But they cut costs, didn't want to pay the extra fee for our services. Told us to deal with it because society must progress. He is still needed. Everyone needs him. But me? Nobody needs me. Nobody wants me. Nobody knows me.
I open my wallet and kiss the photo of my kids. They deserve everything. Who else in this world should I help, if not my kids, my kin? I will ruin this world if it means giving them the chance.... the freedom... the love they deserve.