storytellersilvic

A late afternoon, and everything was normal. People getting off work and going home, others going around with friends to hang out and have a beautiful time. The city was booming with voices and cards like no other. A woman walking down the sidewalk with her colleague carrying groceries while she texted someone.

‘Did those two return from their shopping?’ - Noelle said.

‘No responses from either of them. They must be occupied.’ -Jay said.

‘We're going to open soon so I hope those two don’t skip work again.’

‘Calm down Noelle, I'm sure they’ll be back on time. Besides, you should be focusing on work more than they are.’

‘I work!’

‘Getting drunk with the customers is not working. It is stupidity. Please just come back with the groceries on time.’

‘Fine.’ Noelle put her phone away and looked over at Roy “You know your brother can be a wet blanket you know?”

“I am not familiar with that term.” - Roy said.

“You know. Ruining the fun for everyone.” 

“My brother is simply looking out for you. But you need to be professional or else we could be in trouble.” Roy looked around to see if there was another store. “Oh. Do you mind if I head to Electra Garden? There could be something the chef needs if I missed it.”

“Sure. I’ll wait outside.”

The both of them headed to the store, Roy went inside and Noelle stayed near the entrance and looked over the news. Heroes saving people, crime rate slowly dwindling and people writing articles about new powers being discovered every week. Noelle saw an article about the #1 Hero, Ares. A bombing incident had occured to a bank and the robbers strapped the civilans with C4, ready to blow them up if things weren’t going their way. Ares thankfully stopped the person with the detonator and dealt with the robbers with ease. Noelle slowly got frustrated while reading the article, clutching her phone hard where it felt like it could snap any second. She snapped out for a moment and looked around to see if anyone was watching her.

‘Fake heroes. You love to see them succeed, while the others die.’ - Noelle thought.

“Umm excuse me ma’am? Do you mind if I ask you for some help?” - the person asked. Noelle looked up from her phone and it was a young man in a black shirt & jeans.

“Sure. What’s up?”

“Do you know the direction of Charlotte’s Web?”

“The female clothing store? Shopping for someone special?” - Noelle prodded at.

“Oh no…well I am for my girlfriend. She loves the clothing there but never has the chance.”

“It’s no problem. It’s-” suddenly she felt very nauseous. She felt like she was going to pass out. “around…the…corner.” Noelle slowly fell to the ground, her body felt heavy, as if she hadn't slept in forever.

“Ma’am? Hello?! Someone?! Can anyone call an ambulance?!” the man yelled.

Roy walked outside, with groceries in his hand, and saw the commotion that was going on. Noelle was fully asleep and the man was on his phone calling for ‘help’. 

“What the hell did you do?!” Fire appeared from his hand and grabbed the man.

“I was calling for help. She suddenly passed out.” the man explained but Roy was having none of it.

“If you think i’m buying that bullshit you got…another…thing-” Roy passed out before finishing his sentence. The man picked up his phone and resumed talking to the people.

“I’m sorry, I was being interrupted by one of their friends. Please come as soon as possible.”

Noelle's head was cloudy for a moment. She raised her head and tried to look around to see where she was. Her vision was still a bit blurry and it seems like she couldn’t see anything at all.

“Where…am I?” - Noelle said. She felt her head hurting and tried to touch it but she realized her hands and legs were tied to the chair. “Oh boy.”

“You're finally awake.” - Roy said.

“Well glad to hear one voice I can recognize.”

“The sleeping magic the man produced wasn’t as strong for me but you were out cold for about thirty minutes.”

“Thirty minutes? Damn, I was having a good dream too. Besides the point, we gotta get out of here.”

“That’s another small problem. That man nullified our powers, so we’re basically sitting ducks for the time being.”

The light suddenly turns on, Noelle and Roy finally get a clear vision as to where they are. An abandoned factory. Automated machines that haven’t been used in years, broken windows, the rust on all the equipment and the mess of boxes & supplies. 

“Seems like you two are finally awake. Great. Now we can finally talk.” A man in a black suit with sunglasses walked up to the two. Spiky yellow hair and a grin that screams ego. Along with a bunch of his goons behind him. “Seems my boy caught the bartender, Noelle Ackerman and Roy Knox. How’s the business?”

“Going great. We should be opening right now but I am tied up. So you mind untying me before I turn you all into an ashtray.” - Roy threatened.

“I don’t believe so. My client got heads on you and your crew and I'm here to claim my prize.”

“The hero who's been slowly climbing in the ranks. He will do anything to protect the people with a burning smile. The Speed-O Flame Hero - Flaming Blitz. But people call you Blitz.” - Noelle said.

“You did your research on me? That’s sweet of you.”

“You're also the man who made 5 low rank heroes disappear and sold them off to organ donors. Your hero title holds as much weight as a feather.”

Blitz let out a good chuckle. “Oh no. My reputation will go in shambles. Like anyone is going to care about some underrated hero that doesn't bring the bang. They’re just going to be forgotten the next day and everyone will just move on. Not even a journalist would write a story about those useless people. You might as well just retire.”

“Are you speaking from experience? Like how your father left your mother to pursue his dream to become a hero?” - Noelle said.

Blitz smiled and then immediately grabbed her head and kneed it. He then repeatedly threw punches at her face and stomach. Noelle started to bleed from her nose & mouth. Bruises all over her face and chest, she could barely breathe from the onslaught.

“I don’t like it when people act smart. As long as I ain’t damaging the organs. I can treat you however I want.” Blitz snapped his fingers and his goons walked up to them and surrounded them. Two of them took out their knives and put them at their throats. “They’ll be here in about 10 minutes. Cut their throats and clean up the mess.”

“One question before I die. Why did you become a hero?”- Noelle asked.

“Money and fame. A simple goal that will drive me to the top.” - Blitz answered.

Noelle started to laugh hysterically at Blitz’s  comment. Then the laugh started to slowly die down. She opened her eyes and dark cracks came out of it, her pupil became bright gold, and her white sclera slowly turned black.  She had a wide smile on her face and said to him “Thank you.”

She breathed in and breathed out black smoke that filled the room fast. Slowly everyone started to scream and grab their heads, slowly losing their sanity. Finally the screaming stopped and they were staring into the dark abyss, their eyes seemed lifeless.

“Cut off the ropes for Roy and I.” Noelle commanded and so they did, they were finally free. “About time. I was slowly getting used to that.”

Roy put out his hand and then fire came out to the palm of his hand. “Looks like our powers are slowly coming back.”

“Not entirely, I had to use my core in order to do it. But we have to leave now. I don’t know how long it’s going to last. Start finding things to burn, leave them to me.” Roy nodded and left. Noelle breathed in and then out. “Congratulations! You all have earned a spot at killing each other. Last man standing has to kill himself. Don’t start unless I say ``Begin``.”

The goons & Blitz took out their guns & knives. The room slowly started to get more hot as Roy burned more of the factory.

“It is done.”

“Great. Now teleport us out.”

Roy placed his hand on the floor and a magical rune circle appeared from the floor. Before they disappeared Noelle yelled ‘Begin!’ and they started to fight each other. Gunshots started to fly around and people took cover. Blitz used his power to dodge the bullets with ease and beat up his ‘enemies’ with ease. He takes a bullet to the leg but gives a deadly kick to the person who shot him, shattering his ribs.

Few minutes have passed. The factory was in a blaze, the effect wore off the people who were still alive. Blitz sitting on the floor, covering the gunshot wound in his stomach. He was receiving a phone call from one of the donors, he picked up the phone.

“You're late.” - Blitz said.

“I’m sorry. We were slaughtered. By one man.”

“Yeah…” Blitz passed out. The fire got on his clothing and started to burn him slowly.