Flash Fire

by TJ Klune

  “You should’ve told us,” Trey snapped. He took a deep breath, letting it out slowly as Aysha took his hand in hers. “Look, I know you were trying to protect Seth. I get that; I really do. And I know down to my bones you’d do everything you can to keep the kids safe. But we’re Black. Looking like me, looking like my wife, looking like my daughter, has gotten people killed for a whole lot less than you were promoted for.”

  “You’re right,” Dad said. “Everything you’re saying is true. I won’t try to tell you otherwise.”

  “Good,” Aysha said, squeezing her husband’s hand. She looked at Seth, then Nick, then Jazz. Her gaze lingered on Gibby for a long moment before she turned back to Dad. “We’re not saying we’re worried about Seth hurting anyone. But what about other people? Nick, you got hurt, remember? We came to see you in the hospital. We saw what happened with Pyro Storm and Shadow Star, along with everyone else. Who’s to say that won’t happen again? You know who he is, what he can do. And don’t mistake what I’m saying—what Seth can do is magical. But what if someone comes after you because of what you know? Where’s Owen now?” She looked wary. “I mean, my god. He killed people.”

  “Owen’s not going to hurt anyone again,” Dad said, and the steel in his voice sent a chill down Nick’s spine. “He’s locked away in a psychiatric hospital. And he’s the only other Extraordinary that we know of. It’s only Seth in Nova City now.”

  “But Simon Burke could,” Miles pointed out. “If he’s done half the things Seth said, then why hasn’t he been arrested yet? At the very least, what he did to his own child should be enough to put him away.”

  “No proof,” Dad said. “The secret floor in Burke Tower was vacant by the time we got inside. And Owen, as far as I know, isn’t talking. I don’t know if that’s his choice or his father’s, but that’s the way it is.”

  “Either that, or Burke’s got cops in his back pocket,” Trey said. He held up his hand before anyone could protest. “Don’t act like that’s not a possibility. An extremely rich white man gets away with almost everything. Hell, he doesn’t even need to be extremely rich for that to happen.” He glanced at Dad. “How many of your colleagues are on his payroll? Moonlighting as security or some other bullshit?”

  “I don’t know,” Dad said quietly. “More than a few, I’d expect.”

  Trey nodded. “You want to know why we talk about defunding the police? Because of this exact thing. They pick and choose who they protect, whether it’s because they’re racist dicks or because of who’s lining their pockets—or both. If we have any hope for reform, you first gotta break everything down and start from scratch. And you can bitch and moan until you’re blue in the face that we’re talking about getting rid of police completely. It’s not just about that. It’s about holding cops accountable for everything they do.” He scowled. “I’m not saying any of this to tell you how to fix your job, because that’s not my job. It shouldn’t have to be. And it shouldn’t fall on Aysha, either, or Gibby. This isn’t a game. Burke is powerful. If he’s capable of making that evidence disappear in a matter of days, what could he do to our kids?”

  Dad said, “This isn’t something I’ve taken lightly. I’ve had the same thoughts about Nicky. And you’re right; it was wrong to keep this from you. Don’t be mad at them.”

  “Oh, I’m mad at you,” Trey said. “And I know you feel guilty, but I can’t help but think that it’s guilt about getting caught more than anything else. If we hadn’t come over here today, when would you have told us about any of this?”

  “I don’t know,” Dad whispered. “I—”

  “We’re not stupid,” Jazz muttered. “We’ve lasted this long, haven’t we?”

  “Of course you’re not stupid,” Miles said gently. “But you’re only sixteen years old. All of you are, except for Gibby, and she’s only a year older. I’m not going to speak for Trey and Aysha because I don’t have the right to, but you, Jasmine? You’re damn right I’m going to speak for you, because you’re my daughter. Have you really thought this through? Any of you?”

  “We have,” Gibby said firmly. “And we’ll do what we have to in order to protect our friend.” She glanced at them before looking back at her parents. “We’re Team Pyro Storm. We’re Lighthouse. Seth needs us as much as we need him. You can try and break us apart, and maybe you’ll succeed, but we’re not playing around. We know this isn’t a game. We take this as seriously as anything we have before. We need a new form of justice, and I want to be part of that change. I am part of that change, because it’s what you taught me.”

  “Lighthouse,” Aysha murmured. “And you—what, sit down in the basement on a computer, feeding him information about crimes in progress? That’s all well and good, Gibby, but what happens next year? You’re going to be leaving for school. You got into Howard, sweetheart. That’s hundreds of miles away. Isn’t it better to have a clean break now, so you can focus on your future?”

  The air was sucked out of the room. Nick snapped his head toward Gibby.

  “What?” Jazz whispered. “I thought—” She looked at her girlfriend. “You’re leaving?”

  “Dammit,” Gibby muttered. “I wasn’t going to—” She shook her head angrily. “I haven’t made any decision yet.”

  Trey and Aysha exchanged a look that Nick couldn’t decipher. “What do you mean you haven’t made any decision yet?” Trey asked slowly. “Gibby, Howard is an amazing school. You’ve worked so hard getting the grades you have, and you’re ranked first in your class.”

  “You’re what?” Nick asked.

  Gibby rolled her eyes. “It’s not that big of a deal.”

  “It is,” Jazz said in a hushed voice. “Just because you didn’t want anyone else to know doesn’t make it any less true. I’m proud of you. Everyone else should be too.”

  “You’re leaving?” Seth asked, dumbfounded.

  Gibby glared at the floor. “This isn’t how I wanted this to come out. I’m still deciding what’s best for me. And since it’s my future, I get to make that decision.” Her parents started sputtering, but she overrode them. “I know you think I need to go to an HBCU like you both did, but there’s more to it than that. And it’s not just about Jazz. Or Seth. Or Nick. Or even Lighthouse. It’s about me and what I want.” The fight went out of her voice, and she folded in on herself. “Doesn’t that matter at all?”

  “Of course it does,” Aysha said. “And we’ll support you no matter what you decide, but Gibby, I need you to think—really think. You say it’s not just about Jazz or your friends. That plays a big part in it, though, doesn’t it?”

  For a moment, Nick thought Gibby wouldn’t answer. She did. “It does. It’s … we’re making a difference. We’re helping people. That counts for something, right?”

  “It does,” Trey said. “But so does your future. Say you stay in the city and go to school here. Are you going to be able to focus on your studies while still being part of Team Pyro Storm? And how long is that going to last? A year? Two years? Ten? Gibster, this isn’t your system to fix.”

  “I know it’s not,” Gibby said. “But I want to. Because if anything is going to change, it has to start somewhere. Why can’t it start with me?” She leaned forward, gaze leveled on her parents. “You told me the only reason change happens is because there are people willing to fight for it. I can’t just sit by and let that fight go on without me, not when I can help make things better.”

  Trey looked stricken as he said, “I can’t let anything happen to you, honey. I just can’t. You are everything to me.”

  “I know, Dad,” she whispered. “I love you too.” She sat back in her chair, and when she spoke again, her voice was stronger. “I don’t ask you for much. I never have. And I’ve never given you a reason to doubt me, which is why I’m asking you to trust me with this. We’re young, yes, but we’re doing good. We’re making a difference.”

  Trey sighed, rubbing a hand over his face. “I want to trust you. I really do. But I’ve bee
n around a hell of a lot longer than you have. I know how these things go. I’m not going to promise anything right now because that’s not fair to any of us. I need time to think.” He glanced at Aysha, who nodded. “We both do.”

  “She shouldn’t make any decision based on this,” Seth said. “Gibby, I—” He took a deep breath. “I don’t know if this is even what I want. I can’t be a hero forever.”

  Martha put her hand over her heart. “Seth? What are you talking about?”

  He shrugged awkwardly, looking impossibly young. “I don’t know. I just … There has to be more than this. I made the decision to become Pyro Storm because someone I cared about needed a hero. He didn’t know that he was already my hero, and I wanted to do anything I could to make sure he never got hurt that way again. And it sort of steamrolled from there, because someone always needs saving, and if I could help them, then I had to. They were—are—my responsibility.”

  “You do what you need to do, Seth,” Bob said gruffly. “And if that means hanging up the costume and just being a teenager, then so be it. The city survived long before you came into the world, and it’ll be here well after we’re all gone. Your aunt and I, we’ll have your back, no matter what you decide.”

  “Let’s take a step back for a moment,” Miles said. “We need to think clearly about this, and I don’t know if we can right now since we learned about all of it ten minutes ago.” He jerked his head toward the boxes. “Jasmine, only the best, right?”

  She nodded, though her face was pale. “Only the best.”

  Miles stood from the couch. “Well, let’s see what we have, huh? Might as well make sure everything works like it’s supposed to. What do you say, Trey? Feel up to helping me haul some boxes down to the basement?”

  For a moment, Nick thought no one would move. He was surprised when Trey stood, sliding the sleeves of his thick sweater up his forearms. “Can do. I’m not much for computers and junk, but I know how to follow directions and plug things in.”

  “He does,” Aysha said, pushing herself up from the couch. “It’s one of the things I love most about him. Jo, let’s go. We should probably make sure our husbands don’t screw this up.”

  “Absolutely,” Jo agreed. She followed the others as they began to hoist the boxes and carry them toward the basement stairs.

  “I’ll show you where the secret lair is,” Bob said. “Built the pocket door myself, even though some people don’t give it the appreciation it deserves.” He looked pointedly at Nick, who rolled his eyes. After all, it wasn’t his fault for having sky-high expectations when it came to something like a secret lair. At the very least, the door should’ve been outfitted with a retinal scan.

  “And I have cookies!” Martha called after them, scooping up the plate from the table. “Everyone who helps will get as many as they want.”

  Dad jumped up at that, only pausing when Nick reminded him that he wasn’t getting any younger, and that he’d already had four. Dad muttered under his breath that he was the adult and could decide how many cookies he could eat as he walked into the kitchen. Nick promised him if another cookie went into his mouth, he’d be eating only kale for the foreseeable future.

  And then Team Pyro Storm was alone in the Gray living room, listening as the parents grunted and groaned as they descended the stairs to the basement.

  Before anyone else could speak, Nick said, “Gibby, I know that look on your face. Do not apologize for anything.”

  Gibby sighed as she slumped in her chair. “He went after your dad hard.”

  “He did,” Nick admitted. “But someone had to.” He shook his head. “I just … I don’t know, man. My dad isn’t—” He stopped, thinking hard. He’d been about to say My dad isn’t like the other cops, but that wasn’t quite the truth, and it felt both familiar and gross to come to his defense so quickly. Instead, he said, “Your dad was right. About everything.” He looked down at the floor. “And if anyone should be apologizing, it should be me for putting you in this position.”

  Gibby rolled her eyes. “I’m capable of thinking for myself, thanks.”

  Nick snorted. “Oh, don’t I know it. But still. You deserve to hear it. I really am sorry.”

  “I know you are, Nicky.”

  “I do feel a bit better, though,” Seth said, and they all looked at him. “Having them know. It takes a bit of the weight off our shoulders. We’ve survived this long, but I don’t know how much longer we could have gone on without them finding out.”

  Nick glanced at Jazz, who had an expression on her face he’d never seen before. She looked almost … heartbroken. “Jazz?” he asked quietly. “You all right?”

  But she only had eyes for Gibby. “You’re thinking of leaving for school?” Jazz asked her, and Nick’s heart ached at the hurt in her voice. “You never told me.”

  Gibby sighed, reaching out to take Jazz’s hand. “I don’t know what I want to do. I didn’t say anything because I haven’t decided yet, and with all that’s happened today, I’m not going to make a decision right this second. But no matter what I decide, it won’t be because I love you any less. No matter where I go, I’m not going to leave you all behind. We’ll talk about it later.” She jerked her head at Nick and Seth. “I promise.”

  Jazz nodded, though she still looked upset. Nick could only imagine what she was feeling. He didn’t want to think of a time when Gibby wouldn’t be there every day. And Seth was still thinking about hanging up the suit entirely? It felt like everything was changing, and he didn’t know how to make it stop. And that didn’t even begin to cover what had happened between Dad and Trey. He knew Trey was right, but he didn’t know how to reconcile that with who he thought his dad was.

  “Seth,” Nick said suddenly. “Can I talk to you for a second?”

  Seth nodded. “Yeah, of course. We can go up to my room and—”

  “Stay here,” Jazz said. “Gibby, we should go make sure our parents aren’t messing up the secret lair. You know how I like having everything in the right place.”

  “That I do.” She stood, pulling Jazz up with her. Gibby slung an arm around her shoulders, pulling her close. Nick watched as she whispered in Jazz’s ear words only meant for them as they headed toward the stairs.

  Only Seth and Nick remained. Nick gnawed on the inside of his cheek as he looked down at his hands. His heart was still racing, and he thought he might vibrate out of his skin.

  “Nicky?”

  He looked up. “You really don’t want to be Pyro Storm anymore?”

  Seth sighed, sounding frustrated. “I don’t know. I have so much going on in my head, and I can’t—”

  His phone beeped a familiar sound that only meant one thing.

  Something was happening in the city.

  Nick watched as the Seth he knew melted away. His eyes narrowed and darkened, his mouth stretched into a thin line, his jaw and shoulders tense. It wasn’t Seth Gray who jumped up from the chair, pulling his phone from his pocket.

  This was Pyro Storm.

  “What is it?” Nick asked nervously.

  “Accident,” Seth said in a hardened voice. “On the Westfield River. A party barge crashed into a strut on a bridge. I need to get the people off the boat before it sinks.”

  Nick nodded as Seth started to get undressed. “Need help? Want me to go with?”

  “No. It’s fine, Nicky. I’ve got this. You’d just get in the way.”

  That stung more than Nick cared to admit. It wasn’t like Seth was wrong, but it still hurt to hear. “Yeah. Okay.”

  Seth sighed, walking over to Nick and lifting his chin with a finger. “I didn’t mean it like that.” He looked so earnest. “I need you here to be my eyes and ears. There’s no one I trust more to do that.”

  Nick smiled, and he barely had to force it. “I know. That I can do.” He leaned forward, kissing Seth quickly. “Go. Do good, save lives, that whole thing.”

  Seth looked like he was going to argue, but before he could, footsteps pounded
up the stairs. Dad appeared in full-on cop mode. This normally made Nick feel better, but didn’t this time. He wondered if Gibby had ever felt … scared because of him. “Seth? We gotta go.”

  Seth nodded, stepping around Nick, charging down the stairs to suit up. Nick heard the surprise from the others below them, questions being asked and answered.

  Dad was already on his phone, fingers flying across the screen. “You good to get yourself home? I’m going to see if I can help, though Harbor Patrol should already be on it.”

  He had to try. “I can go, too, if you want. I can help.”

  But Dad was already shaking his head. “We’ve got this. You’d just get in the way. And I … need some space to think. About a lot of things.”

  He forced a smile on his face. “Don’t do anything stupid.”

  “Never, kid. I’ll call you as soon as I can, okay?” He turned his head back toward the door and raised his voice. “Seth! We gotta go!”

  Seth reappeared at the top of the stairs, cursing as he struggled into his costume. He tripped on the top stair, dropping his helmet as his cape fluttered around him. He bent over and picked it up before looking at Nick with wide eyes. “Gibby’s and Jazz’s parents just saw me get naked.”

  “Lucky,” Nick muttered. “I mean, oh no. That’s so bad. How dare they.”

  Seth gave him a quick kiss before joining Dad at the door. Dad leaned outside first, scanning the street. “Wait. Neighbor. Hold on—okay, they’re inside. Streets are clear. Go.”

  In a bright flash of fire, Pyro Storm rocketed off into the sky, leaving a column of smoke behind him. Dad glanced back at Nick. “See ya.” And then he slammed the door behind him as he left.

  Nick turned and headed for the stairs. He descended quickly, scowling at the boxes in his way. Thankfully, they hadn’t yet taken down the Systemax yet. Martha saw him coming and handed him the headset. He knew the others were watching him, but they faded into the background. “Pyro Storm, this is Lighthouse. Do you copy?”

  “Receiving you loud and clear, Lighthouse,” Pyro Storm said in his ear, his voice a deep rumble, modulated to disguise his identity.