Friday, August 30, 2013

Yay!


I love holidays!
And Harvey loves (most of) them too! Okay...like this one only.
Because as work crazy as he is, he believes Labor Day should be a non working day.
You know what that means?
A three day weekend! Yes!
Love love love holidays.
That means another day at the beach. Woot!
 
Karen<3

Frozen

Despite what Devoto thinks, I didn't stack all my furniture in front of the door. No, I'm resourceful. I just went and located the right room that stored extra locks and replaced them myself. So yes, Devoto you can break into my room again with more time and dedication.

I don't think he will though. Because he's already caught onto the flaw of my plan.
I have to leave my room.

And when the moment was right, Devoto struck. Right after dinner. He trapped me up to my neck in an ice cube! He was convinced that if I got cold enough I would use whatever ability I have to escape. Ha. It didn't happen. He was convinced for a bit that I was melting the ice, until he noticed the heater nearby. The melting stopped as soon as he moved me away from it.
No, I'll be lucky if I don't end up with another cold because of that all night experience.

Layters!

--> Issac 

Thursday, August 29, 2013

Flying Fish

Now the fish have gone crazy!
I came into work this morning and found half a dozen fish on the floor.
And while I was at work like another dozen jumped out!
Four of them right onto my head! One went down my shirt! Gahh!! Ewww ewww eww.
Do you know how awkward it is to be talking to a customer and then suddenly have to dance around to get the wiggling thing out of your shirt? Totally awkward and way embarrassing.
Tristen totally wouldn't let it go, teasing me the rest of the morning and mimicking my high pitched scream.
At least I was able to rescue the fish that jumped out while I was at work.
I just wish I knew why they decided to suddenly try flying for a living.

Karen<3

A Midnight Success

HA! Take that Devoto! Just try to get into my room now.

Layters!

--> Issac

Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Still Lockless

Devoto's getting on my nerves.
Today alone he's already barged into my room FOUR times!
To drag me away and work on 'getting my powers to show themselves.'
Ha. What powers? Nothing has happened yet.
I wish that the locks on my door would get replaced. That would at least delay him in entering my room for a little bit and give me time to write a longer post.
However, I think Devoto's bribed whoever is in charge of replacing broken locks, to not replace mine. Because I swear I've icing seen the maintenance guy stare at my door and then just walk away.

Layters!

--> Issac


My Poor Hands

It wouldn't surprise me if Tristen had drugged up the birds. Actually, since Annemarie is gothic, maybe she did it to them. That sounds like it would be her sort of thing. Because they sure have been acting strange, and evil!
Seriously it's like braving a windstorm of claws, feathers, and beaks whenever I stick my hand into any of the enclosures.
I mean, they would fly around like crazy before now. What else would you expect from birds that don't want to be caught? Even if I'm just sticking my hand in there to replace their food, or water, or the hay or whatever I need to replace. It was a whirlwind then. But now. Now, something is off.
Yet, I'm not sure my ideas would constitute a good explanation or what's happening.
The food looks normal, water comes from a tap....and I hardly see Annemarie over by the animals. While Tristen has been stuck in the back working on fixing up the damage caused by the storm. And Harvey, he could care less about the animals. As long as they're not too noisy, and they don't stink too badly.
-I think he's making up these reasons, before I came along he didn't care enough to keep the cages clean, sooo I think he just dislikes animals in general.
But back on topic.
Did the birds like living in a big mess? Do they not like that I gave them a nice clean and unsmelly place to reside? Because I doubt they got freaked out by that storm last week, I mean they were safe from the flooding, yet...I think my troubles with them started soon after that.
My hands are all scratched up, pecked up, and bruised from their crazy antics. It's like I can't stick my hand into the cage to grab their food without them thinking I'm sort of cat trying to attack them. It's horrible. I'm not trying to hurt them! Ugh. Dumb birds. Maybe they'll calm down after I terrorize them with banging and hammering to get new latches, to hold the gates up, installed so I don't have to worry about the gates banging down on my head every thirty seconds.
We will have to see. But whatever has the birds in a frenzy...I hope it goes away soon. We're going through a bird phase in the store where everyone seems to want one of some sort. Cockatiels, Finches, Doves, Parakeets, Parrots, all of them going to new homes it seems like.
And for every new home a bird gets, I get a new set of scratches to my hands. It's like they're purposely blinding me with feathers and wing beats, while they land on my hands and claw at them.  It's totally an unfair attack!

Yes, I hope this phase ends soon, otherwise I'll have to dig those old bite protector gloves out of the spiderwebs they're sitting in. And that...isn't going to happen unless I get super desperate. Who knows what lurks in those fingertips.

Karen<3  
My ears twitched as a metallic sound bombarded my ears. It was Maille fumbling to put the key in the car door. She'd gotten up with the sun to discover a light dusting of snow on the ground and had dashed down here in a panic.
"Little one?!" Maille cried out opening the door. "Oh, I'm so sorry, I didn't realize it would get so cold last night! I'm so stupid! Please, please be alive, please."
The ball she stuck me in rocked back and forth and I tumbled out onto her hands, listless, my mouth open. I felt like a popsicle really. Frozen.
I heard her breathe in sharply, a small cry quickly cut off. "I killed you. Oh I feel horrible!" she wailed, mournfully. A finger ran down my back and I cringed as she touched a tender spot by my stubby tail, making a small noise in the process. Her hands tightened compulsively around me, providing the warmth I had desperately missed as the night had brought on freezing temperatures. "You are alive?" she whispered fervently. "Little one?" the heat around my body adjusted more so my face was exposed to the cold. "Can you move again? Please. Oh, if this is just my imagination..." She was sad. I didn't want her to be sad. I also didn't want to be thought dead if I wasn't either. I forced my eyes to open long enough to see Maille's breath fogging out in front of her, and more distantly the dark circles under her vivid green eyes. I twitched my ears at her sudden smile. "You are more strong willed then the others aren't you?" She pulled me close, holding me to her chest. This was warmer, for her hands were cooling in the cold air. "Isabelle or no Isabelle, I'm taking you inside. You can't survive out here like this. Just...just well, we'll figure out how to keep you hidden from her."

Martin Elek

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

One Task Down

Done! Ha!
I've successfully cleaned out all the cages for the animals today!
Can I tell you how successful I'm feeling right now? Because it sure is pretty successful.
Only, Harvey tells me I will have to do a weekly 'up keep' cleaning to make sure the cages stay clean clean. Boo. Oh well, It shouldn't take me as long to do them now.
Also unfortunately, it means that I get to start on a different sort of training now too. Customer service. It's not like I don't like talking to people, but...I'm not sure I'll be good at talking to people with animal questions.
Guess I'm going to find out.

Karen<3

Monday, August 26, 2013

Beach Blues

Oh no. I think I may be getting brainwashed.
Seriously, I couldn't concentrate at the beach this weekend.
Why?
Because for some really strange reason, I couldn't help but notice all the dogs that were playing on the beach.
Mentally looking at their coats, what I could see of their teeth, how well they moved. Seeing how well their owners took care of them, Gah! I think Harvey's 'training' is slowly sneaking into my life! And I don't want it to!
I would much rather notice the cute guys on the beach thank you very much.

Karen<3

Sunday, August 25, 2013

Next Post

I hate seeing her like this. Her once round face, gaunt. Nearly just skin pulled over a skull. Her hair she takes so much pride in, has dulled. She's hooked up to a respirator today. Whatever is wrong with her lungs must be acting up again. At least, in this new room she's been moved to, the walls are painted her favorite color. Peach.
"Hey Mom." I knocked on the door announcing my presence.
She looks up from her book and smiles, her brown eyes lighting up. Giving me a glimmer of the healthy mom I hadn't seen in years. "Alex! You came by. I was beginning to think you wouldn't."
"I got here as soon as I could." I replied, giving her a hug. She's so bony. Even with all the meals she eats, she's continuing to lose weight. I wish I could get her out of here, take her on a hike, like we used to do.
"Already partying are you? It's only the first week of school." she teased me. "When do I get to meet your girl friend?"
My cheeks heat up. "I don't have a girl friend, mom."  And I wasn't partying either. I was working. But I didn't want her to worry about me working too much.
She tapped the side of her nose with a bony finger. "But you have girl problems. I'm a mom. I know this."
It must be a mom sense, because she sure picked up on a lot. Luckily she hadn't picked up on the bills...yet.
I exhaled. "Well, I don't think I've had a worse first week of school."
She patted the side of her bed. "Come tell me all about it. Classes, the girl or girls, and just all of it in general."
Honestly, I think she missed being at school herself. It was full of drama. And she loved that. "Well, we have a well...super star going to our school this year." I said gingerly sitting next to her.
"A super star? Like she thinks she's god's gift to mankind?"
I chuckle. "I'm sure she does, but it's more she's famous. Her name is Annalina Aileen, she's a new upcoming star in Hollywood." I grimace "And I had the misfortune of getting on her bad side the first day of school."
My mother grins in anticipation. "Famous star, and you run into her. This sounds like the makings of a fun love story."
"Ew! No! Mom!" I make a face at her. "Why would you want me to end up with a selfish brat like her?"
"You never know how she'll turn out Alex."
I shook my head. "She threatened to make me buy her a new $300 pair of shoes. Just because I scratched them. I don't think she's going to turn out well."
"Ooo a diva." she laughs. "You have all the luck don't you, my son?"
It didn't seem like luck, it seemed like a serious of misfortunate events.
I rolled my eyes. "Oh yah. Tons of it. I haven't told you the best part yet."
"And what's that? She's making you her body servant?" She winks.
I lower my voice. "She has powers. Something to do with light."
My mom didn't miss a beat. "So when you ran into her you gave her a good zap in return right?"
I should have known she would take it that way and I grin despite myself. "You know I didn't."
She raised an eyebrow. "Since when did you become such a gentleman?" she gently patted my cheek. "Well next time, zap her. It might help to make her more likable."
"Or land me with a court case." Though I had been tempted a time or two to do just that. Zap her. Show her she wasn't the only unique person at school.
"Details!" she waves a hand in dismissal. "In a dismal view as well. She may just get impressed."
Whatever. There wasn't much in that girl's head besides shiny shoes and lots of admirer's hanging around her. "Maybe, but I think I'll avoid zapping her."
"For now."
"For now." I agreed.
She winked at me again. "Alright, so you got on a popular girl's bad side. It shouldn't be too hard to fix that. How are your classes? Did you get Old Greyson for English? I had him when I was your age and he such a bore."

It was good to distract myself with chatter about school, it seemed normal. As normal as it could be with monitors beeping all around us and nurses coming in occasionally. But I couldn't keep from listening to the ticking clock. And all too soon. I had to go. This time I had the excuse of school work and need of sleep to pull me away. I hated giving her the excuse that I had to get back to work.

"Oh, Alex...before you go?"
I turned back from the door. "Yes Mom?"
She gave me a sheepish smile. "Could you brighten the lights a bit? It makes it easier to read the small print in the books they give me."
I glanced up to the lights and tapped in mentally to their frequency. The changed from a pale yellow to bright white in an instant. "Better?" I asked looking at her.
"Yes. Thank you." she made shooing motions towards the door. "Go, you need sleep for school tomorrow."
"I know, I know. Bye mom." I had no intention of sleeping anytime soon, but I could humor her.
"Love you."
"Love you too."

(Alex)

Saturday, August 24, 2013

~I have good news Fishy Thief!~ The girl exclaimed, a big smile on her face.
My gills flared in and out as I twisted from once more contemplating the yellow plant. ~Your mom has decided to let us all go out of the goodness of her heart, I bet.~ I responded.
She laughed and shook her head. ~Not quite the candy cane but close.~  
Close? She'd already informed me that Larry had recovered from his depression a couple of days ago. I still hadn't been able to tell which of the turtles in the case were him, but the news that he was taking to the slower pace had been good news to me. What else could be good news?
She grinned wider as I stayed silent. ~You're going to have to ask me what the good news is before I tell it to you. I do want to ask some questions today after all.~
I flicked my fins. ~I should have expected no freebies.~  Every conversation we'd had seemed to require me to ask questions at some point. ~Though I wish you wouldn't make me ask questions.~
She shrugged. ~Come on, Fishy Thief. Ask me. You'll be happy to hear the answer.~
~Maybe, but I won't be happy with whatever questions you ask me in return.~
~Just play the game Fishy Thief.~ she teased.
I couldn't help but mentally smile. I had to admit, I didn't mind the questions too much, convincing her that Billy was the leader had leveled off some of the questions in that direction. I could probably do this.
~Fine, What's the good news?~
~Sue has made the switch.~ She said immediately. 
Made the switch? My sail fin rose. ~She's joined John?~
Her eyes lit up and she nodded. ~Yah!~
This was good news. Frankly I had expected us to be stuck in our forms for a year. But to have Sue make the switch from being a dog to a rodent with John, already, when she'd stolen so many collars, harnesses, and leashes. This was good news. That had to mean the rest of us were getting closer to making the switch as well.
~When did this happen?~ I asked my excitement causing me to swim in little circles of happiness.
~This morning. Lemme tell you, she freaked out a bit, but overall I think she's happy to not be a dog anymore.~
I could understand that reaction. I was pretty sure I would freak out when it came time for me to change to. I hardly remembered what it felt like to blink, let alone have hands or feet. I'd been a fish for far too long.
~Does that mean the rest of us are close to making the change too?~ I asked swimming close to the glass.
She bit her lip. ~Uhh kinda.~
~That's not an answer.~
She threw up her hands. ~I can't give a better one, it depends on what the customers decide to buy. Some of you are closer then the others, but the ones not as close could catch up over night if the right things are sold.~
I wish I could frown. All I could do was mouth at her. ~Well, who's the closest if all goes well?~ I demanded.
~Larry would be.~ she exhaled. ~He's been on the brink for a couple of weeks now. But reptile sells are low.~ She bit her lip. ~Sue was pretty far down, but everyone and their mom decided to get a puppy. That meant her sells soared allowing her to change first.~
Puppies meant leashes, collars. That made sense. ~Oh,~ so I couldn't plan for who to change next. That was depressing. Just like the girl refusing to tell me which animals my crew were. That was her mom's prerogative not hers.
She sensed my disappointment. ~All I can tell you is that Larry is closest for now.~
 I bobbed my body up and down in understanding. ~Well, I'm glad one of us finally made the change. I was beginning to think it would never happen.~
~With as much stuff as you guys stole I was beginning to think the same thing.~ She winked at me.

#Henry

Friday, August 23, 2013

Headache Central

I'm going to end up growing a pair of horns.
Whatever I picked up over at the bird cages totally followed me to the cats.
OW!
Why do cages have to have metal doors?
More specifically, why do cat cages have to be stacked one on top of each other?
I don't know how many times I stood up quickly to grab something only to get a nice wack from an open cage!
Gah!
Where are my fish tanks. At least I can't bang my head on them.
They're not made of metal.

Karen<3
"We're here little one. Last stop of the night."
Gently Maille, pulled me from her pocket. I opened my eyes for a moment to stare into hers. I shivered, curling into her palm. Where was the warmth? I wanted to be back in her pocket again.
"I know, it is a bit chilly isn't it." She bit her lip. "I wish I could take you inside little one, but I can't. I just hope you don't freeze." She sighed. "If only Isabelle wasn't my roommate, I would feel safe bringing you inside."

If I had been my normal self I would have been shocked to discover this little tidbit. For priding myself on being just like Sherlock Holmes, it was just plain despicable that I hadn't had a clue that Isabelle and Maille were anything more then coworkers. They certainly didn't act like they roomed together. I had thought they never mingled outside of work. I knew that Isabelle was jealous of Maille's hair. How it was curly and full, while hers was stringy and straight. It was obvious by how she would toss her hair every time Maille came in with her hair down. How she would be more friendly when Maille came in with her hair pulled back. Obvious. Obvious how Isabelle idol worshiped Howard. How she would pull whatever strings necessary to be near him while he was working in the lab. A simple crush. All obvious.
Yet, I never knew that the two girls were roommates. They didn't even use the same shampoo or perfume. 
Of course....being a hamster, I didn't care about that. What her statement meant to me was simple. Maille was leaving me. I couldn't be by her.

"She would go straight to Howard if she knew I had you in the apartment, little one. You probably don't know that we're not supposed to take the hamsters out of the lab. But I wasn't about to leave you for Howard to discover." She exhaled, holding me close to her. "Please just survive the night little one. That's all I ask. I'll be back in the morning. Please. Please just survive."

Can I say that that night, huddled in a hamster ball stuffed with tissues...was one of the worst nights of my life? It was miserable. It got cold. Colder then normal. Or perhaps I was just more sensitive to it being a hamster. In any case. It wasn't warm. I craved warmth. And huddled in on myself in that ball, I really wasn't sure that I would survive the night in her car.

The worst part was.
I didn't know if Maille would come back.

Martin Elek


 

Thursday, August 22, 2013

He Did What Now?

Steel figured it out!
Why the fire alarms in the city all went berserk.
I have to admit, this is why I think this guy is awesome!
He thinks. He doesn't just go into battles with fists flying. No, he uses his head.
Steel had all the technos in the tower look at the alarm systems.
And you know what they found?
Well, they didn't notice anything, but Steel did when he looked at all the footage they had gathered.
You know how most fire alarms have flashing lights? Well, Steel saw that they weren't the same brightness. Some areas they were like a dying bulb, and in others they were shining like the sun. He noticed that brighter bulbs were concentrated around a certain area of the city.
And when he flew there, do you know what he found? A noxious cloud of flammable gas in the old history museum!
Seriously, I don't know why Surge would do anything in that place. I mean, it was abandoned before I was born. There was nothing there. Not even Surge was present! After searching the entire building all Steel found was the cloud of green colored gas swirling in a deep pit. Apparently the old museum used to be a popular swim hole for kids in the 30s, and they never covered up the pit that had been the pool when that closed down. No, they just locked the door to that part of the building.
I bet the owners wished they had covered up that pit. Because whatever that mad mixture was that Surge mixed up...it didn't react to wind. It was like solid gas. But not. Totally icing strange! Toxic, doesn't move. one wrong move with an open flame and BOOM! Bye bye old history museum.
Without Surge there, Steel had no idea if this thing was set to ignite or not. So he had to take matters into his own hands. Acting fast, Steel emptied the building of everything 'important.' Like, historical records, fossils, old displays. Things that had been left to gather dust when the place closed down when Steel was just a kid.
Then, Steel had some of the Bounder Supers make a giant force field over the building -they're called bounders because they can 'bind' things...yah, it doesn't make much sense to me either. In any case the Bounders made a force field. With the all clear, Steel ignited the gas!
BOOM! Steel blew up the old museum.
Which while, it destroyed a historical building, it saved who knows how many lives. Because there was enough gas there to level half the city. CRAZY! No wonder Surge didn't want to be anywhere near there. Who knows if even he could survive an explosion like that.
But! Here's the kicker! Surge's plan backfired. Because you know what Steel discovered?
Buried Treasure!
No. I'm not kidding. It's totally true, I touched one of the gold bricks myself.
It was like discovering a pirate's horde. A buried room full of treasures dating back to before the Revolutionary War with Britain. It was icing crazy! Totally a National Treasure sort of moment.
They're still doing research on how the gold, diamonds, and silver got to be buried there, but in any case, the money from that can go to build a much better museum! One that won't ever close down. This is totally why Steel is my icing hero! He's not keeping the treasure for himself. (unlike Devoto he doesn't seek rewards) He donated the find. He barely claimed one gold brick. One! And only because the city forced it upon him in thanks. He said it was for them, to build a better museum. That everyone deserves to know their history. So cool.
I hear the new curators are going to use the gold to get some real dinosaur bones in, a piece of the titanic, even some rare works of art with the treasure. Ha, and it won't surprise me at all if they build a 'hero' wing as well full of super hero mementos from different battles. Oh man! Can Steel get any cooler? I totally bet he can.

Though I do have to wonder, what was Surge planning to do with the gas? Did Steel finally figure out a plan before Surge was ready to unleash it upon him? Why else would he not be there? Maybe that last battle where Steel took those 'power controlling cuffs' finally shook the guy.

Layters!

--> Issac

Homework, Annihilated!

Done! Whew, I didn't realize how much work it would take to catch up on missing so much super school. Somehow I managed it. Without Devoto's help. No. I managed to avoid him for most of the week. Well, with the exception of lunch time. Somehow, Devoto's gotten it into his head that wherever I sit, the rest of the waters can sit as well.
Do you know how hard it is to keep bread dry with them around? It's nearly impossible. They're always flicking water at each other. Or in Devoto's case, little ice beads. I think when that laser competition comes up, I'll have to watch out for him. The guy has good aim.
All in all, I don't mind the horseplay around me. It's actually nice to be part of a group here in the tower. Even if I can't participate in the water fights.  
The Sour Note to my sudden 'popularity?': Devoto. He's wearing my watch. Showing it off like a trophy. He doesn't even care that it's basically a family heirloom. He just thinks of it as a 'reward' for 'helping' me.
I need to get it back. It's basically the only thing of my father's that I have at the moment. But I doubt "sentiment" is going to convince him to take it off his wrist. No, this guy is all about 'what's in it for me.'

Layters!

-->Issac

You'd Think I Was A Cat After The Canary


Something is up with those birds.
If I'm not careful, Howard's going to get mad at me for 'killing his birds.'
Or at least injuring them.
But seriously. How can he blame me.
They're the ones throwing themselves willly nilly against the glass and bars.
I think I'm going to give them a couple of days of rest before I 'terrify' them again and finally finish cleaning those stupid cages!
I'll just switch to the cat cages for a while. *shudders* Not looking forward to that either. I hate the smell of cat litter.

Karen<3

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Some Reveals

"Did you move here too then?" I asked at the next practice. 
Jake shook his head. "No, I was born and raised here."
Well there went that theory. He wasn't an outsider He was an insider.
Why was the insider pretending to be an insider when he was already an insider? He shouldn't have had anything to hide. So why was he hiding behind a bum arm. It wasn't for sympathy. He was a wallflower. He didn't draw attention to himself. Nobody even mentioned his scar. So it was something older, something taken for granted, something nobody noticed anymore. How long had he been hiding his ability to use his arm then. And why?

"You look like a dog chewing on a bone." He remarked.
I chuckled. "Just trying to figure you out Jake."
He gave a faint smile. "Maybe I'll figure you out at the same time."
I cocked my head. "Figure me out?"
"The sunglasses."
"Medical use. It's figured out."
"No." He shook his head. "There are too many inconsistencies."
"Really?"
"Yah."
"And...you're not going to share your theories with me? I have heard a bunch of them over the years."
"No, not yet." He got to his feet. "I figured I'd wait for you to slip up. Then tell you my theories."
"You'll be waiting a long time then." I said, also standing. I couldn't afford to slip up. Especially in this town. I could already see torches and pitchforks if I slipped up.
"Well maybe I'll throw you a bone then." Jake shrugged. "And see if you'll give me one in return." He stood totally at ease. "People here, don't believe in miracles. They try to find a rationale explanation and if they can't, they assume the person lied. They're making it up. Tricking them in some way. And people here, don't like to be tricked."
I frowned. "So being able to use your arm...would be seen as a miracle?"
He nodded. "Yes."
"Why?"
"Because, Danny, the doctors told my parents I would never be able to use it. And here, the doctors are held in high esteem." He shrugged. "Their word is basically law."
I barely stopped myself from gaping at him. "Well...that's the crazy." And I thought these people were more down to earth. He couldn't use his arm because the people would see it as being...bad? Harsh.

"It is a bit." he agreed. "Now...do I get a bone?"

I hesitated, and shook my head. I made to walk past him, but paused. Wary of the others on the field with us. "I don't need my sunglasses." I said quietly, not looking at him. "Not for the reasons I've given."

Catchya on the Flip Side!

Danny

Next Post

I wonder if I'm only going to do this when I'm stuck in traffic. It's basically the only time I really have time to think beyond 'to do lists' actually. There isn't much else I can do in bumper to bumper traffic.

I really can't believe I'm already done with my third day of school. Already everything is merging into a new cycle of crazy.  

For one. We have a Hollywood Super Hero going to our school this year.
Literally. She's both.
Annalina Aileen
A Hollywood actress.
And a super hero.
Though I would put quotations around the 'super hero' part. She has powers, but I haven't heard of her rescuing anyone in or out of the movies.
What's her power?
I would call it being 'super sparkly.'
Because she sure blinded me our first day of school.
Blinded me into walking right into her. Which apparently is the biggest sin in the world. To mar up her perfectly glowing complexion.
My first encounter with a super hero in person, and I've already made an enemy of her. She threatened to send me a bill for scuffing her glowing white heels. I really hope not. Who knows how much a pair of shoes costs for the Hollywood girl. Even if it was only $5, which I totally doubt, I wouldn't be able to afford it. My money needs to go to my mother's bills, not some stuck up girl who wants to 'experience the real world' and already has more money then she knows what to do with.
With all her 'adoring' fans surrounding her from those first moments she walked in, I can only hope that my blunder into her has totally faded from her memory.  

(Alex)

I've Been Hit!

OW!!
Okay. It's official.
The Bird Cages ARE EVIL!
Seriously.
EVIL!
I mean, what did I ever do to them besides try to clean them back into 'new shiny cageness?'
Apparently something.
Because I have a splitting headache now.
I got hit like half a dozen times with those stupid 'magnetic' doors.
I mean, I know that they should 'stick open.' if I just lift it up.
They have before.
But for some reason...it just didn't work today. I mean I would lift it up.
And then go in to scrub.
WHAM!
I'm seeing stars.
As the doors fall on me.
Sooo soo annoying. Those things aren't LIGHT!
Metal doors are HEAVY!
And to top it all off, the birds were being waaaaay more flighty then normal.
It was like going into a hurricane when I tried to scrub the glass, the bottom of the cage, basically everything.
Feathers everywhere!

Needless to say. I had to stop before I ended up with a concussion.
Grr. I was hoping to tackle ALL of the bird cages today.
Tomorrow. Those things are being wired opened.
No falling on me again. Oh no sireee.

Karen<3
"Hi! Welcome to Starsmet. Can I help you find anything?"
The unfamiliar voice drew me from my slumber. It was chipper. Like the tweet of a bird. I'd never heard anything like it before.
"Oh. Uh! Um...I'm not sure. Just..Just browsing." Maille said.
"Okay! Feel free to look around, if you have any questions about anything you can just ask me."
"Uh...yah. yah. I will."
 
Maille hadn't taken me straight home from work. She ended up dropping by a pet store to grab some supplies to make my stay at her house more comfortable.
She ended up driving to a pet store halfway across the city, taking odd routes and back tracking, just in case. She didn't want Howard to see her and wonder why she was going into a pet store when he knew she owned no pets. She wanted him to remain clueless to my survival.
As kind as Maille is, she's also pragmatic.
But Maille wasn't the richest. Her circumstances often left her surviving from paycheck to paycheck. And as much as she wanted me to survive, she couldn't afford everything the worker at the pet shop would have said she would need to get, like a cage, and then have me die the next morning. As it was she barely had enough money to get a week supply of food for herself, and caring for me was going to cut into that.
 
"Aww, you're getting a hamster ball?" I heard a while later.
"Uh.  Yah. That's it for me."
"Cool! Do you have a hamster then? I've always wanted a hamster they seem like such fun pets."
I felt pressure as Maille nervously patted the pocket I was hiding in. "No. No, it's just...a  gift. For a friend."
"Oh, well that's cool too."
"Yah..."
 
Maille isn't the type to feel comfortable with lying. I'd known that from working with her. She tends to bite her lip whenever she attempts it. Though usually it's to the question "How are you?" It's part of the reason why she doesn't speak much at work. She doesn't like lying, and with Howard...you have to lie a lot.
 
"Thanks for dropping by! We hope to see you again soon."
"Yah...yah you to."
 
Now that I was somewhat aware again, I heard the bell that marked Maille leaving the store. I was also aware, that I wasn't feeling that great. I curled into a tighter ball. Maybe I needed more of that bad tasting stuff. I'd felt better then in body, if not in mouth.

Martin Elek

Tuesday, August 20, 2013

And The Plot Thickens

"Did you decide not to run today?" Jake asked sitting down across from me at the lunch table.
I looked up from contemplating if my chicken sandwich actually had any chicken in it. Interesting. The wall flower was talking to me? Why? Even more interesting. He knew what I did at lunch time. "It's raining. I got enough of that in Alaska."
Jake pushed his fries around his tray. "Your sunglasses probably fog up too, I suppose. It would get annoying to have to keep wiping them off."
Oh. This guy was observant.
"It does." I said with a shrug.
"So do you run with them off when it's raining?" He asked.
I chuckled. "Prying are you?"
"You pried into my life. I thought it was fair turnabout."
"I commented that you were a good climber."
"And I'm commenting that it must be annoying to wear those sunglasses."
I shrugged. "Most medical problems tend to be annoying."
"The light shouldn't effect you if it's raining."
"You'd be surprised."
"Still it shouldn't."
"You shouldn't be able to climb either. I suppose."
He stared at me for a long moment. "Appearance isn't always what you think it is." He finally replied.
I snorted, rolling my eyes behind my sunglasses. "Tell me about it. But why are you pretending" I lowered my voice. "That your arm is useless?"
He leaned in, lowering his voice as well. "Probably the same reason why you're hiding your eyes People here don't like what can't be explained."

Catcha on the Flip Side!

Danny

Rain Rain Go Away

Whew, yesterday was totally crazy.
We had a freak storm blow up out of nearly nowhere.
It was crazy.
Trees blown down, power lines snapped, broken windows,, and my internet connection gone.
Talk about a heavy rain too. Two seconds outside felt like I'd been soaked in the middle of the arctic ocean.
Totally flooded the streets, and basically flooded the store too. I spent most of my shift mopping up the water while Tristen did his best to save the dog and cat food on the floor. Not all of it was saved, and Harvey is furious.
I'm just glad his focus disappeared from the animal department for a bit.
I mean, there's only so fast I can clean up the cages when they'd probably never been cleaned before.
At least today I could focus on more 'wet' and finish up scrubbing the tanks and catching snails. Two and a half jugs of them. Whew! But it's all clean now! Ha.

Karen<3

Monday, August 19, 2013

Not That Easy To Talk To Him

Jake and I have something in common.
We love to run Track and Field.
Though the dude is so adept at being a wall flower, it took me like two weeks to realize he was on the team. It doesn't help that our classmates help him in being a wall flower. It's not like they're purposely ignoring him. No, it's an absent minded sort of thing. Like they don't realize he's there.
For a kid that has a scar that's pretty obvious. No one seems to react to it.
Seriously these blokes are blind when they don't want to notice anything that isn't 'normal'

In any case. I ended up working with him today in our warm ups. He's rather quiet. Not prone to talking. Soo I broke the ice.

"You're quite the climber." I remarked, as we stretched.

A flash of confusion crossed his face. "Climber?" he repeated. He finished strapping his 'useless arm' to his chest. He puts it in one of those sling type things to keep it from flapping about when he runs.

"Yah, climber. Rock Climbing."

He shook his head. "You must have me confused with someone else."

"I don't think so, unless there's another guy with a scar wandering around."

His eyes glinted, "You're joshing me. I can barely make it up the rock wall in class."

"Yah...in class." I agreed. Emphasizing that last part.

Unfortunately we got interrupted then. It's hard to talk when you have to run ladders as fast as you can. But I did catch him looking at me more then once. Warily.
Interesting. Why would he be wary of me? 

Catcha on the Flip Side!

Danny 

Sunday, August 18, 2013

First Post

I've often heard that Sunday is a day of rest.
I really wish that that was true for me.
I can't remember the last time I  'rested.'

Before I get too much further into the 'woe is me' stuff, I should introduce myself. I doubt anyone else will read this, but I need a place to put my thoughts down. And since I'm stuck on main street with no where to go because of an accident, this seems like an alright time. Who knows, I may need to know my name in the future. I'm practical like that.

My name is Alex Lund. I'm seventeen, though I often feel way older. Not many other kids my age have the sort of responsibilities I've had to take on in the past couple of years, and without my gifts, I doubt I would have survived as long as I have.
You see, my mom's been in the hospital for the past couple of years. She's undergone every test man has come up with, and still the doctors don't know what's wrong with her.
It's just her and me. It has been for a while. My dad left...when I was younger. I barely remember him. He's gone off the gird. We've looked, but there's no trace of him.
And with my mom unable to work, with her bedridden more often then not in the hospital, it's up to me to pay the bills. Our insurance stopped covering us a long time ago.
Unfortunately, there are few high paying jobs I can get when I haven't even graduated high school yet. There are even fewer who are willing to look the other way when it comes to how many hours I work.
So I ended up at Joe's Pizza Shack. It's a local delivery place that's popular four cities away. Their unique blend of cheese, sauce, and ham slices has been rated number one for the past ten years. Or so they tell me, I've grown rather tired of it all. The taste, the smell. If I never had to see another pizza for the rest of my life it would be too soon.
That's why I'm stuck in traffic now. I'm working. Delivering pizza. And unfortunately, this delivery is going to cut into my paycheck.
Joe has a policy that we get the pizza to you within 20 minutes or it's free. If his drivers don't get the delivery done in time, the cost of the pizza is deducted from our paycheck. Needless to say, with money on the line, his drivers drive as fast as they can without getting caught by the cops.
It's been 35 minutes now. Which means I'll have to work a couple hour longer tonight to get that lost money back.
It's probably not the best thing to do. Not on the night before the first day of school. But I need the money, mom's next hospital bill is going to come by the end of the week, and I need the cash to pay it.
Of course, she would insist that I get a good night's rest. That I focus on my schoolwork. That I don't worry about a job. She doesn't know though. Doesn't know I had to sell our house, doesn't know that the insurance isn't covering us anymore. I hope she never finds out actually. She would totally flip if she saw how many hours I really worked in order to pay the bills.
So tomorrow, I have to cut back on my hours. Make time for school. For homework. Because that's what my mom wants. She wants me to get good grades. She wants me to get into one of the top universities in the state.
With all the downers that have happened to her, I can't give her another one. That I don't think I'll be able to go to a university until after she's better, after all the bills are paid off. No, I want her to be happy.

And in order for her to be happy...and pay the bills;
I'm not going to get a 'day of rest' anytime soon.

(Alex)

Saturday, August 17, 2013

No Slacking Off For The Sick Guy

It's rather unfortunate that school life decided to continue on without me.  Because now that I'm basically better, I have to play catch up on everything that I missed in class. Not so much fun. And the stress of a deadline to get everything completed by isn't helping at all. I mean, I just icing got better! How do they expect me to do everything they want me to do in that tiny time frame and still remain healthy? No. I can totally see myself moaning once more in my pillow, sick as a dog by the end of this.

Plus it gets 'better.' Not.
Devoto has 'offered' to be my 'tutor.'
Somehow, I don't see me getting my homework assignments done with him around. Instead, he's probably going to be giving me more Vulcan headaches in his quest to get me to reveal my power.

Which might not be a bad thing now that I think about it. Maybe if we do figure out what I can do, I can get out of a couple of homework assignments.  

Layters!

-->Issac

Friday, August 16, 2013


~I see you're still not talking to me Fishy Thief.~ The girl commented more then a week after Madam Shan's visit.
Of course I wasn't talking to her. She'd tricked me into believing that Larry was dying. It wasn't a thing that I could forgive easily. I showed no sign that I'd heard her. I'd let the fishy mind take more control, today, after I'd tired of trying to find my crew. I needed to unwind from my frustration, and the girl being here wasn't going to help matters if she stuck around.
~I thought you'd like to know that Larry is recovering.~ She said leaning on her mop. ~He's opened his eyes, and is beginning to move around the cage again.~
It was good news. And while I was grateful for it, but her little information updates weren't going to get her back into my good graces anytime soon, if ever.
She tapped her finger against her lips. ~Well, if you won't willingly talk to me. I guess I can make you talk to me.~
She couldn't make me do anything.
~I mean, you did ask me seven questions the other day, when I first told you Larry was sick.~ 
I twitched. Oh no. My sail fin rose. I'd lost count actually in my worry for Larry. 
~And I only asked three in return.~ she continued. ~Which means you have to answer four more of my questions.~
I mentally groaned. Trust her to keep track, even in a 'crisis.' If I hadn't already regretted this deal I'd made with her, I was regretting it even more now. Especially with Madam Shan's last words still echoing around my head. What secrets would I still be able to keep from her? I could only hope she asked the wrong sort of questions.
~Well that finally got a response from you.~ She said with a smile. ~I was beginning to think that you'd become mute, or deaf.~
If only. I could avoid talking to her then. I spun in slow circle around the castle, giving my human mind time to 'wake' up before stopping in front of her. ~Let's get this over with.~ I said neutrally.
She tossed her hair over her shoulder. ~Like you have anything better to do Fishy Thief.~
I bit back a retort. She would just get answers from me, nothing more.
~No chit chat I see.~ She said after a moment. ~Okie dokie, we'll just get down to business then. Are you really mad at me?~
That took me off guard. Why would she ask that? What was she playing at? Was I mad at her? Truthfully, my answer had to be  ~No.~  I was more mad at myself, for being tricked. Given the circumstances, I might have done something similar had I been in her shoes. 
Her face lit up. ~Well that's a relief to hear. I didn't want to upset you, but my mom insisted, and Larry really wasn't doing well. I just wanted to hear your ideas since you know him best. And you're the most talkative out of your group...well, I'm glad you're not mad at me.~
Her barrage of words took me aback. It was almost like she missed me. What was I supposed to say to that? That I missed her to? Because I hadn't! Well, not much, maybe just a little. I twitched my fins. ~If you want my ideas, don't try to get them by tricking me.~
She raised an eyebrow. ~Like you'd give them to me just out of the blue, Mr. "I want to keep secrets."~
I really wished I could roll my eyes. ~I'm a thief, secrets come with the territory.~ Ugh. For not wanting to talk to her, I was failing horribly.
~It's not like I can ask questions that don't touch upon your thief territory Fishy Thief.~
~Sure you can.~
~Ah huh. We'll let's see. No, no, no. Well that question touches upon it as well. Nope, gotta ask a thief question. My mom calls you the planner of the group. So you obviously had more of a part in this robbery then grabbing things off the shelf.~
~That's not a question.~ I said, going still. I could see where this question was going, and I didn't like it.
~Well, don't interrupt me and I can get to it.~ She rolled her eyes. ~Do you guys always have the same roles with each robbery?~
~Not every time, no.~ I replied cautiously. Most of the time it was the same. I knew my groups strengths. But depending on the robbery, the roles could morph together or a different role could be added in.
~Not every time. So a lot of the time it is.~ She cocked her head. ~What roles did you all have in this robbery?~
What roles? Well that was a complicated question in of itself. I swam in a circle considering. Though I had to ask. ~Do you already know the names of everyone?~
She shook her head. ~No, I only know Billy and Larry's names.~
Billy gave his name? Huh. Interesting. ~Alright, roles.~ I said choosing my words carefully. ~...Larry had the role of getaway driver, Billy scoped out the place. Umm...the other guy broke in, the girl who's a bird did the research on what we should take, and the dog made sure that the last person to leave didn't double back before we all divided and conquered.~
~You forgot yourself.~ She prodded. My mind raced to think of something truthful without revealing that I was the leader.
~I was in charge of making sure we didn't get caught.~ I finally said.
She snorted. ~Well...that was a failure.~
I bristled. ~Really. I hadn't noticed.~
She grinned. ~Just goes to show you can't plan for everything.~
~Apparently not.~
~And that rankles.~
~Of course.~
~Because you're supposed to remember everything, you're the planner, you're not supposed to get caught.~
~I was the planner for this robbery.~ I corrected. I didn't need her thought process going from planner to leader.
~No wonder you robbed a pet store then. The guys must have thought this would be a piece of cake for you.~
~It would have been.~
~Had there not been magic involved? Yes, yes it would have I suppose. Though seriously, the lousy security system should have tipped you off.~
My sail fin lowered.
Her eyes widened in surprise. ~You were tipped off?~
I mentally grimaced. ~Billy thought there was something off about this place. He didn't want to rob it.~
~Really? I'm impressed. I wondered what made him suspicious.~ She mused.
~I don't know.~ Billy would refused to rob a place for various reasons. Not all of them made sense, but most of the time he was right. Most of the time.
Her eyes lasered into mine, in exactly the same way that her mom's had. ~Why did you guys continue the robbery if Billy didn't like it?~
Because I was an egotistical fool? ~It was my fault.~ I whispered. ~I wanted to prove that I could pull off this robbery. So I convinced him to go ahead with it, despite his misgivings.~
She shook her head. ~You must have been persuasive.~ She grinned. ~Well, if you decide to continue this line of work after this...I would say you need to mentor under Billy for a while longer.~
Ha. So she thought Billy was the leader. Good. That's what I was going for. ~No kidding~ I agreed fervently.

#Henry

Snailz You Looze


So I took a milk jug into work today, to catch the snails as I scrubbed.
And wow.
I didn't think there were that many snails.
BUT THERE WERE!
Hundreds and hundreds.
I mean my milk jug is like halfway full!
And that was just from my first round through!
And these guys aren't like two inches big or anything. No most of them are like half a centimeter in size.
Yah! And I filled up half a milk jug!
Crazy.
No wonder these guys are considered to be parasites.
Because I sure didn't expect snails to multiply like that!
Ugh. I bet they've already regenerated.
And there's nothing I can do about it til Monday.
So I'm just not going to worry about it.
Weekend here I come!

Karen<3

Thursday, August 15, 2013

Surge On The Odd Rampage

Well, apparently I have been living under a rock. Or well, moaning into my pillow for the past week.
Because Surge has been active!
He's struck three times this week! And I missed every single battle! Ugh! Why did I have to get sick now? It could have been epic!

I mean, first Surge struck at the local drive in theatre on 5th and 9th and takes every single car there captive! I still can't get a clear answer on how he did it. But he basically fried every car's engine so that they wouldn't start, and then he laced an electric field through the whole parking lot. And that field had enough juice to fry a turkey! No one could escape without being fried. And of course, Steel couldn't just switch off the power grid. Somehow Surge wired the whole thing to a different unknown location in the area. But try as Steel could, he couldn't get Surge to reveal the location. He couldn't even catch Surge! The coward resorted to using dummies and mirrors so Steel never found him. And like most of their battles, Steel had to resort to using his head. So he got some rubber gloves and lifted every single car off the electrical grid and placed it outside the danger zone. That was like 200 cars! At least! It took Steel the rest of the night to rescue all those people!

And you know what's odd? Surge didn't even stick around! Who knows what was going on through his mind. I mean, he sets a trap. Doesn't even give Steel a time limit and disappears. He didn't even try to fight! Steel just had to spend the whole night rescuing the trapped people. He barely had enough time to actually find the 'off' switch. Which was an oven in the food shop there! Seriously. Steel had to turn off the oven and walla! Field of death disappeared. Steel barely had enough time to return to the tower to get one of the techy supers the heads up about the field of death so they could dismantle it before Surge struck again!

He must have run from one plan to another to get this second one rolling, because he was up with the bakers. Literally the bakers.
Switch in an oven.
Bakers. It was an unobvious clue at the time. I mean, Surge doesn't leave clues! Yet he left the switch hooked up to the oven, and then went and took over the old Cakester's Bakery on the edge of town? What is he planning to do? Bake a huge "Happy Birthday Cake?" 
Not quite.
Unless he wanted the center to be Steel.

They met in the big bakery area. With vats of batter and frosting and who knows what else cooking. I mean one wrong step and either one of them could have been swimming with the sugar.
And keep in mind. Steel had just come from lifting like 200 cars to safety! He hadn't slept all night.  

Though now that I think about it. I wonder if Surge slept at all. Does that guy sleep? Does he need it? Ugh! I wish we knew more about him.

At least this battle was straight forward enough. Surge had another method of controlling Steel. Apparently he was hoping that exhaustion would make Steel slip up. It didn't work. It sounded really messy though, and I can't wait to see it reenacted in comic format because it sounds epic. I mean, first Surge dumps a whole vat of brownie mix on Steel, making it hard for him to see, let alone fly. And then Steel nearly met his demise when his exhaustion caused him to fall towards a container of frosting. Which wouldn't have been a big deal, if it had been regular frosting. But no, it wasn't just frosting. It was boiling sugary frosting. A sugary heat trap of death.
Steel could have totally died because he couldn't see. But Surge, taking it as his moment to get his new controlling device on Steel. -Apparently it wouldn't be affected by brownie batter-  and the two of them ended up tumbling through the air, missing the vat, but the ensuing battle destroyed half the plant as Steel worked to catch Surge and Surge worked to get his device around Steel.

End of story? Surge escaped again. The bakery is short three vats, an oven, and it's west wall, and....Steel managed to get the controlling device!  I'm told that it looks like a high tech pair of handcuffs, but again there was no remote. Yet. STEEL MANAGED TO GET THE CUFFS!
There's hope yet. Now that we have something similar to my collar to experiment on, the heroes are again hopeful that they'll be able to figure out how to get my collar off me. I mean, they can do the more dangerous experiments without worrying about harming me. Just to see if those will work and if it does, how they can modify it so it won't hurt me.
Of course, this isn't full proof. Surge wasn't as forthcoming about this device. So who knows if it actually does the same things my collar does. Maybe we're all just hoping it does. I think I'll wait and see if it actually ends up being the same thing before I get my own hopes up.

Since I'm still recovering from being ill, the supers (if not Devoto) are giving me my space. They want me in top shape before they start comparing our two devices together.

I hear that Steel slept for nearly two days after that. And that he's still combing brownie mix out of his hair.

But then Surge struck again.  Tuesday Evening. About sunset. I wish I could have seen this! But I was recovering from the headache that Devoto gave me. Grr. Apparently Surge put on one giant noisy light show all over the city. He managed to set off every single fire alarm in the city. Don't ask me how he did it. I'm not even sure the techy's know how. But he manage it. I'm told it made enough of a racket to penetrate even the thick walls of the tower.
And, no one is sure what the point of it was. The heroes are still trying to figure it out. Steel spent most of the night and the next day flying over the city trying to find a source for the disturbance. Yet, nothing seemed out of the normal ordinary. What was Surge playing at this third time?

What I wouldn't give to get into Surge's mind for thirty seconds. Because from outside of his mind, it totally doesn't make sense. I would say he was venting his frustration at loosing yet another 'super controller' to Steel. But, why wait a couple of days to do so?

I really don't know. But I want to find out!

Layters!

-->Issac 

The FishTank Saga Continues

Apparently snails are bad for fish tanks.
Seriously.
I mean, one or two can be okay. They eat algae after all.
But they multiply like CRAZY!!
The parasitic ones at least do,
and guess who gets to try and find them all and fish them out of the tanks.
Yah. Me.
And I thought my algae scrubbing days were nearly over.
Not so.
Now it's morphing into snail hunting.
Dun Dun Dun.

I wonder how many of these guys I can catch....

Karen<3

Wednesday, August 14, 2013

Still A Scrubbin

Heigh Ho. Heigh Ho. It's scrubbing the tanks I go.
Whew. It sure is time consuming,
But with the water running and filtering like it's supposed to,
this may now be my least smelly task I have to deal with.
Sure my hands may be wrinkly,
but at least it keeps me away from the disaster of the birds. Yay!
Well, for now. That place is hovering on my horizon of 'gotta do stuff' but you know...I'm not going to think about it.

Karen<3

He Might Have A Point

I hate to admit it, but maybe the waters were on to something. Especially that Devoto kid. Because whatever he did to me yesterday, apparently helped. I woke up this morning feeling loads better then I had been. I mean, I'm well enough that I think once I'm done posting, I may actually be able to venture out of my bedroom and find some real food in the cafeteria. I probably won't have the energy to do more then that, but I'll take what I can take.

Layters!

--> Issac

Tuesday, August 13, 2013

Devoto's Break In

Thanks to Devoto, I now have a pounding headache on the ten scale to add to my list of illnesses wracking my body right now.
Seriously I think the guy has gone crazy. I mean what other hero in the building would sit outside my door and constantly freeze and unfreeze the locks on the door until they broke? Yah! He did that! I didn't even know that was possible! But apparently it was because he came barging into my room like an elephant running from a mouse. To my overally sensitive ears, OW!! Talk about torture. I didn't realize I was sensitive to noise until that particular moment.
Now that he's gone, I can admit, getting into a locked room that way was freaking ingenious. I just wish it wasn't my door he'd tried because now it's unlocked and he can come waltzing back in whenever he wants to.
Ugh, I don't know what I did to catch his interest. I doubt it's guilt. Maybe he wants to prove that he can figure out my ability before all the others.
Unfortunately, he must be onto something. Seriously, I wish it was Steel figuring things out, not this kid.
But he's onto something.
"Did you know that Super Heroes don't get sick?" he asked me, as he loomed over me, dripping water everywhere.
"Then I must not be a super then." I shot back. "Cus I'm obviously sick." He surely had to notice my hoarse voice, my shaking body. I've been sick before, I know what it's like.
He rolled his eyes at me. "Lemme finish, Sac."
I don't like his name for me. It's Issac. Not Sac.
"Super heroes don't get sick. unless." He grinned at me. "Unless they don't use their powers for long periods of time."
Well that was great to know. Seriously it was. No wonder Steel could constantly fight Surge. But I didn't see how it applied to me. -Fuzzy brain remember?
"Uh...cool?" I managed. "How does that apply to me?"
"Think of it Sac. That collar of yours triggered your powers. Steel says so. They just haven't manifested yet."
"I noticed, what does that have to do with supers not using their powers?"
"Everything Sac!" He grinned. "The episode on the diving board may have finally brought you to the edge. I mean, I've known supers who've tried to hide their powers and not use them. But they can't for long. It just builds up in you. And the longer you let it build up, well the more likely the hero is to fall sick. Because your body can't handle the stress of not using your power. It's like...well it's like trying to hold your breath. Eventually you have to breathe! That or you fall unconscious. Well when a super doesn't use his power he doesn't go unconscious but he does get sick! Think of it Sac. You haven't had any powers show up since you've arrived. But you've been healthy til now."
"Til you tried to freeze me to death," I shot back. "come on Devoto, I've never heard of this." Seriously I hadn't. Not even in the comics!
"No, I just brought your powers to that 'need to breathe' point! You're sick. You're totally showing all the super sick signs of someone who hasn't used their powers in a while. And it's right on time too. Most supers can't last longer then two or three months without using their ability, and you're right on track for that."
Honestly, if this was true and he wasn't stringing me along, it would be great. It meant there was some sort of power in me. Something I could use. If it ever icing decided to manifest itself before I became a comatose shaking vegetable!
However, there was one problem. "You keep saying I haven't used my powers in a while." I managed. "But, in case you hadn't noticed, I've been trying every means possible to get my powers to manifest and still nothing has shown."
He nodded. "Oh, I know. And I have a couple of theories on that."
I rolled my eyes. "And I'm sure you're going to tell me." It wasn't like I could go anywhere. I was his captive audience for the time being.
"One." he ticked the list off his fingers. "That collar of yours somehow is preventing you from manifesting your powers."
"I could believe that." I slowly agreed. "If it can control me, I'm sure it could prevent me from using my powers if I have any."
He nodded. "Two, Having lived like a normal person for so long, your body doesn't realize that it needs to do anything different. You're self sufficient, even if you are slow, and that's how you've always been. There's been nothing to trigger your power into action yet. It has to be something that makes you desperate enough to try whatever means necessary to accomplish it. Like trying to save your own life."
I shook my head. "Well, I must have a high desperation level since the supers have tried everything they can think of to get me to manifest my abilities."
He chuckled. "Come on, really? Sac. You've worshiped the ground the heroes walk on, you knew they wouldn't let you die. You didn't need to try whatever means necessary. Until," he smiled "You met me."
He had a point there, I did think I was going to die.
"And because of that, your body tried something different. Which triggered you getting sick. Triggered your powers to manifest. If this is the case we just need you to make those roadmaps back to trying that 'something different' again."
I grimaced. "I'm not climbing that high dive if that's what you're getting at."
"Even if that means you finally manifest your powers?" he shrewdly asked.
I glared at him. "Next theory." I said shortly.
He shrugged. "Three, you're purposely not using your powers to get out of the tower."
"No!" I struggled to sit up in bed. "You're crazy.. you think I purposely...you're crazy! I don't like being the only kid in class who can't do anything! More then any one I just want some ability to appear! I don't want to spend the next six months not being able to do anything! If I can get a power it would be a dream come true."
Devoto shook his head. "It's just a theory, Sac. Relax. "
"A horrible theory."
"Not as bad as my last one." he shrugged. "Which would be...you are just sick. No powers whatsoever."
I glared at him. I hoped I wasn't just sick. If heroes only got sick when they weren't using their powers, I really wanted to be in that category. And not to have powers, that was my biggest fear. "I think theory two would be the most likely out of all that."
He grinned. "Good. So do I. We just need to trigger you again and again to the point where you actually manifest something."
"Hold on, We? Who's we?"
"You, and me, of course."
"Shouldn't Steel?"
"I have his permission to try." he grinned at me. "Like it or not, Sac, you're stuck with me."
I definitely didn't like that. I wanted nothing to do with this kid, but if it got me my powers.
"What are you going to try then?" I asked warily. 
He shrugged.. "There isn't much you can do while you're this sick." he remarked. He studied his fingertips. "Of course, there is the matter of payment for helping you out."
"You know I don't have any money! Besides, you may not be able to do anything."
He chuckled. "Oh I'm confident I can help you. I've already helped you once."
I didn't like that look in his eyes.
 "I still don't have money."
"Ah, but you do have....this." He scooped up my father's watch of the stand. I went cold.
"That's my dad's watch. Give it back." I said shakily.
"Ah, a father's watch. No wonder you give it high value. I've never seen it off your wrist before." He held it up to the light. "Odd design isn't it."
"It's from overseas. A gift! Now give it back! You can't have it." I struggled to my feet.
He smiled, ice spreading from his feet. "Make me."
I glared, wobbling. "Devoto." I warned. "Give it back!"
"Words can't make me do anything Sac." He undid the clasp. "It will be a nice addition to my own watch collection."
I was sick, and he expected me to take the watch from him? When he could freeze me into place? But I had to. It was the only thing I had left of my dad. "Give it back Devoto!"
"Still words, Sac. Do you not care about it that much? Your Father's watch and you're just going to let me take it without trying?"
"No!"
He held it out. "Then take it from me. Or it's finding a new home on my wrist." He suited his words by doing just that, turning his wrist over so he could hook the clasps together.
"GIVE IT BACK!" I jumped at him, my feet slipping on the ice.
I don't know what he did. It had to be some sort of Vulcan grip thing because suddenly my head was exploding like an atomic bomb and I was screaming in agony.
Seriously it icing seemed to go on for forever!
I found myself huddled into a ball in a puddle of water. my head feeling super clear like a crystal but at the same time, I had a dull ache of a headache behind my eyes. "What....did you do?" I demanded when I caught my breath.
"Triggered you again." Devoto replied calmly. I looked up at him to see my dad's watch on his wrist. He grinned. "Thanks for the watch Sac. I'm sure it's going to be payment enough for doing this." And he turned and left me. Just like that. Left.
 
Devoto took my watch! What kind of super hero in training does that?! Sure supers require payment upon rescuing someone, but this. This was mean. Evil! Cruel. It's all I have of my dad and now he took it from me when I was at my lowest point. Why? None of the other kids had required anything of me when they tried out their ideas. And all he'd done was get me more miserable. Both physically and emotionally.
 
I definitely don't like this guy. There's something not right about him.
 
Layters.
 
--> Issac