by TJ Klune
“No,” Nick said quietly, suddenly exhausted. “We did it. All of us.”
“Team Pyro Storm,” Jazz agreed.
“Goddamn Lighthouse,” Gibby said.
“The best superhero team that has ever existed,” Seth said. He was still in costume, though it was torn in places, one of the lenses in his helmet cracked and dim. Nick reached up and brushed a thumb against Seth’s bloodied lips.
Then, his eyes widened and he tried to sit up. “Mateo. Holy shit, we need to—”
“Gone,” Seth said, pushing himself up off Nick with a groan. “Said he’d meet up with us later. Wanted to get out of here before anyone asked questions.” He sat down on his butt, pulling his knees to his chest. “What are the chances that he’d be here?”
Nick said, “I don’t know. It was weird, right? It’s like—like—”
Do you know how many high schools are in the city? How could I have possibly known I’d be working at yours? Besides, it was a last-minute thing. Got a message to pick up some hours. Someone called in sick or their cat died in a house fire or something, I don’t know. The number wasn’t one I recognized, but I don’t usually ask questions when it comes to getting paid.
“It’s like it was planned,” Nick whispered. What if … no. That couldn’t be. He wouldn’t …
“Nicky?” Gibby asked, sounding concerned.
“Burke,” Nick said, stomach twisting slickly. “Simon Burke. That’s what Smoke and Ice said. They were trying to draw us out. Draw Pyro Storm out. Something Mateo said—he wasn’t supposed to be here tonight. Got a message from a number he didn’t recognize. What if that was part of Burke’s plan? To get us all here to…” He scowled as he looked around wildly. “Where is she?”
“Who?” Jazz asked.
He stood quickly. Dad was standing in the middle of the cafeteria, looking up toward the hole in the ceiling, face pale. Smoke and Ice lay unconscious in their metal prison. Trey, Aysha, Jo, and Miles were helping stragglers who hadn’t been able to escape, kids who looked scared as they stared at Nick and his friends, including Megan, who looked shaky but able to stand on her own. Bob was sitting in a chair, Martha above him, fussing over a cut on his forehead.
Gone. She was gone. She was—
Trying to mix in with the kids leaving with Jo and Miles.
“Stop!” Nick shouted and took off running. He heard the others call after him, but he ignored them. He jumped over broken chairs and tables, his muscles protesting. Right before she walked through the doors and out into the hall, he reached her, grabbing her by the arm and spinning her around.
“Let me go,” Rebecca Firestone snarled, her sunglasses missing a lens, a bright eye glaring murderously at Nick.
“You knew,” Nick spat. “You knew what was going to happen, and you did nothing to stop it.”
“Nick?” Miles asked. “What’s going on?”
“Rebecca Firestone,” Nick snapped. “She was here before the attack. She was filming everything. She knew this was going to happen. How? Burke? Are you working with Simon Burke? Holy shit, you are the worst.”
She smiled. “I have no idea what you’re talking about. And even if I did, you have no proof.” Her eyes narrowed as she leaned forward. “I knew it. About you. I knew you were like them. Like Pyro Storm. Like Owen. You may have everyone else fooled, but once they see the footage I took, you won’t be able to escape. The life you had is over. Unless—”
“Unless?”
She stood upright. “Interview. Exclusive. You, me. All on the table. Any questions I want to ask.”
“And if I refuse?” Nick asked.
Her smile widened, flashing teeth. A shark’s grin. “Then it’ll be my word against yours. Who do you think people will believe? You’ll never know peace again. Do you really want to do that to your father? It’s over, Nick. Everything you’ve kept secret will be dragged into the light. I can help you. I can make it better. Why would you— Get your hands off me!”
“Huh,” Jo said, tearing Rebecca Firestone’s purse from her shoulder. She overturned it, spilling the contents on the ground as the reporter struggled against Nick’s hold. A wallet, eight lip balms, makeup, a package of tissue, a tin of mints, Tylenol, and a camera. The same camera she’d used to record everything.
Nick let Rebecca Firestone go and picked up the camera, testing its weight in his hands. Such a little thing. “What’s the school’s Wi-Fi password?”
Rebecca Firestone snarled, “How should I know? I don’t go to this stupid school.”
Nick grinned at her. “So you weren’t able to upload the footage to a cloud. Which means this is all the leverage you have.”
Her face twisted. “I will end you if you—” She screamed as Nick pivoted on his heels, cocking his arm back and letting the camera fly. It smashed against the wall, shattering into pieces.
“I’ll kill you!” Rebecca Firestone cried, her sunglasses falling to the floor, eyes narrowed into slits. “You hear me? You’re dead. You’re—”
“Are you threatening a minor?” Trey asked, taking a step forward.
She laughed, a choked sound that grated against Nick’s nerves. “You’re damn right I am. This little shit broke my camera!”
“I don’t think that’s what happened,” Aysha said with a frown. “In fact, all I saw was Nick picking it up for you after Jo accidentally dropped it.”
“I’m so clumsy,” Jo said airily. “Always have been.”
“It’s one of the things I love most about her,” Miles said, winking at his wife. “And Nick here has the same tendencies. It slipped, isn’t that right, Nicky?”
“Yep,” Nick said, grateful for these people in his life. “Slipped right against the wall.”
“So you see,” Trey said, “Nick has witnesses. You don’t. Maybe you’ll try to spin this some way, but trust me when I say hell hath no fury like a pissed-off parent. You come for Nick—you come for any of our kids—and I’ll make sure everyone knows the part you played here. I’m sure your viewers would love to hear how you didn’t lift a finger to help any of the kids at this school while they were being attacked.”
“You won’t get away with this,” she snarled. She turned her fiery gaze to Nick. “I’ve seen it for myself. Everyone will know; I’ll make sure of it. You hear me? Everyone will know.” And with that, she shoved her way through them, heading for the exit.
Strangely, Nick almost felt sorry for her. He didn’t know why; she didn’t deserve his sympathy. Everything she’d done had put the people he loved in danger. Which was why he was surprised when he called after her. “Hey, Firestone!”
She stopped but didn’t turn around.
Nick took a step toward her as the parents stood at his back. “I don’t know what he promised you,” Nick said, and she stiffened. “But I do know that while I despise everything you are, you’re not stupid, at least not completely. Burke is only in this for himself. Once you’ve served your purpose, he’ll toss you aside because you mean nothing to him. And I think some part of you knows that.”
Rebecca Firestone walked out the door, Nick staring after her.
* * *
They left together: Nick and Seth, Jazz and Gibby, Martha and Bob, Jo and Miles, Ayesha and Trey. Dad, crowding against Nick as if he thought Nick would get attacked again. They were all dirty and battle-weary, but not broken. They held their heads high.
“Ready?” Seth asked as they reached the doors that led to the parking lot.
No. No, he wasn’t. He was more scared than he’d been in the cafeteria. But he couldn’t back down now. He lifted his head and nodded. “Ready.”
They stepped out of the school and into chaos.
The parking lot was filled with people: students, faculty, parents, guardians, police and EMTs and firefighters. Lights spun atop emergency vehicles as reporters shouted from behind sawhorses set up near the edge of the parking lot. Cameras flashed, and one of the photos—the one showing Nick and his people as they walked down the sta
irs together—would be on the front page of the Nova City Gazette the next morning under a single word: SURVIVORS. But that would be on the bottom half of the front page.
The top half would be something else entirely.
Nick flinched when people began to whisper, students and teachers all staring at him, eyes wide as Pyro Storm gripped his hand, holding it tight. The whispers grew louder, saying, That’s him and It’s Pyro Storm and Did you see what they did? and Is Nick Bell an Extraordinary? and No, it wasn’t him, it was the other one, the one in black, the one who could fly.
Once upon a time, Nick would have given almost anything to have this. To have people think he could do something extraordinary. And he had; they all had. His friends. Their parents, Martha and Bob. TK and Mateo. And maybe he did feel strong for a moment, powerful. But this was tempered by the fact that Ice and Smoke had been sent for them. If it wasn’t for Nick, if it wasn’t for Seth, none of this would’ve happened. Sure, the blame rested solely on Simon Burke and his lackeys, but all that had happened had been because of Nick and Seth. If they hadn’t been here, the dance would’ve gone on, the night filled with music, dancing, laughter, and happiness, without a care in the world. Any sense of victory he might’ve felt was quashed under how close it’d been, how many more people could’ve gotten hurt. Or worse. And for what? To let Nick and his friends have a moment where they could be like everyone else?
They weren’t. They hadn’t been for a long time.
Being a hero was vastly more complicated than he’d expected, and he didn’t know how to reconcile it with all he’d thought it’d be. It didn’t help that everyone was staring at them with a look of fear tinged with wonder. A part of him wanted to bask at the attention, to allow himself to fill with joy at what he was capable of, what they could do when they worked together.
But a bigger part of him was strangely realistic, knowing how much everything would change from this point on. He’d dreamed of this moment for so long, and now that it was here, he realized that some dreams were infinitely more complex, even when they came true.
He cringed as the voices rose around him, as the cameras shuttered and clicked, as everyone tried to look at him, standing on their tiptoes, craning their necks to catch a glimpse of him. He tried to curl in on himself, but it was no use. He was here, exposed. In front of everyone.
“It’s all right,” Dad whispered in his ear. “We’ll deal with it. Let’s get you out of here, okay?”
Nick nodded blindly, squeezing Seth’s hand like a lifeline. He stepped forward again, only to stop when Seth did. He looked back as people began to crowd around them, cops appearing and pushing them back as everyone screamed for them, saying Nick, Pyro Storm, what happened? What did you do? What are you?
“What is it?” Nick asked, voice trembling.
Seth smiled. “You told me you loved me.”
Nick gave a watery smile. “Yeah. I guess I did.”
“And you meant it too.”
“Every word.”
Seth nodded, taking in a deep breath and letting it out slow. “You and me.” He leaned forward, pressing his forehead against Nick’s.
“You and me,” Nick whispered to him. “Always.”
Seth pulled back, but not before he kissed Nick’s forehead. He turned toward his aunt and uncle and said, “It’s time.”
Martha covered her mouth with her hand, eyes shining.
Bob put his hand on Seth’s shoulder. “Are you sure? You won’t ever be able to take it back.”
Nick had no idea what they were talking about. He was about to ask when Seth said, “I know. But remember when Gibby’s and Jazz’s parents came over to the house? Nick told them he was Pyro Storm because he wanted to protect me. He did it without thinking. He only cared that I was safe. That’s the kind of person he is. I have to do the same for him.” His voice broke when he said, “Are you going to be mad at me?”
“Never in your life,” Martha said, dropping her hand and pulling Seth into a hug. “We’re so, so proud of you. My brave, wonderful boy.”
“We’re with you, no matter what,” Bob said roughly. He sniffled and wiped his eyes. “Knew this day would come. We’re ready if you are.”
“Detective Bell, you need to move,” one of the cops called, trying to hold the crowd back.
“We gotta go,” Dad said, trying to lead Nick away.
“Wait,” Seth said, and when he turned back around, he held his head high, his shoulders squared. People gasped around them when fire began to leak from his hands, cascading down to the ground. The crowd took a step back as he rose in the air, hovering above them. Nick stared up at him in wonder, heart so full he thought it’d burst. His throat constricted when Seth looked down at him, smiling that one smile only meant for Nick. “I love you. And I’ve got your back.”
Nick’s eyes widened. “No, no, you don’t have to—”
Seth raised his voice, causing everyone else to fall silent as they looked up at him. He said, “I don’t want to hide anymore. I don’t know how I can do what I can do, but this—this thing in me is powerful, and you deserve to know who it is that can do the things I can. I’m done hiding behind a mask. I’m done staying in the shadows because I have fire and it can help chase the darkness away. You know me as Pyro Storm, but it’s just a name, and not even my real one.” He raised his hands to either side of his helmet. He didn’t hesitate as he pulled it off, his curls springing free. He let the helmet drop to the ground as cameras flashed and people gasped, the sound rolling over them like the wind. This was the picture that would be on the top of the front page and would spread across the world: Seth floating above the crowd, fire burning around him, faces turned up toward him in wonder. It would successfully divert the attention from Nick, though for how long was anyone’s guess. The headline read what was said next, and nothing would ever be the same. “My name is Seth Gray. I’m a student at Centennial High. And I’m the Extraordinary called Pyro Storm.”
BREAKING NEWS
Transcript from interview between Rebecca Firestone and Simon Burke
Rebecca Firestone
It’s been two weeks since the attack on Centennial High School. While the investigation is still ongoing, many questions remain. Why was the school attacked? Who was the intended target? What did Seth Gray, the Extraordinary known as Pyro Storm, have to do with what happened?
And what of Simon Burke? Simon Burke—whose son, Owen Burke, was revealed late last year to be Shadow Star and has since escaped from custody—remains a central figure in this mystery. Rumors of underground labs and pills that could turn anyone into an Extraordinary ran rampant after anonymous allegations spread following the Battle at McManus Bridge. Burke denied these allegations, and investigators found nothing of consequence when they searched Burke Tower. However, it must be noted the Extraordinaries now known as Smoke and Ice stood with Burke when he launched the Save Our Children initiative. Smoke and Ice, twins, who worked for Simon Burke. Why then, did they attack the school?
I sat down with Simon Burke for a wide-ranging interview in his office at Burke Tower. No topic was off-limits. From the whereabouts of his son to the revelation that a student at Centennial High is the Extraordinary known as Pyro Storm, Burke was gracious and informative.
Rebecca Firestone
Thank you for agreeing to the interview.
Simon Burke
Of course, Rebecca. I’m happy to speak to you. In my line of work, transparency is paramount.
RF
I appreciate that. Let’s start with a big one. Where is Owen? Your son escaped from custody, killing one and injuring six.
SB
First, let me say that my wife and I send our sincerest condolences to the family of Jacob Lee. It is a tragedy, what has occurred, and the guilt Patricia and I feel over this is overwhelming. We are working with authorities to assist as best we can, but unfortunately, I have no idea where my son is. He has not attempted to contact me, nor have there been any sightings of
him.
RF
Mr. Lee is the third person Owen allegedly killed. As a reminder to our viewers, last fall, Action News lost two of its members in a helicopter crash caused by Shadow Star, the name Owen adopted when he became an Extraordinary.
SB
Yes, and it’s terrible. As we did with your fallen colleagues, Burke Pharmaceuticals will be taking care of the families of the victims. Anything they need, all they must do is ask. We have already set up scholarship funds for Mr. Lee’s children.
RF
That’s kind of you.
SB
I don’t see it that way. It’s not a kindness. It’s a necessity. Owen is my son and therefore my responsibility. He is also a murderer—a dangerous one at that. I only hope that no one else will suffer because of his actions.
RF
You don’t know where he is?
SB
No.
RF
If he watches this interview, is there anything you’d like to say to him?
SB
Yes. Owen, if you’re watching, turn yourself in. Enough of this. Let us help you. Your mother and I love you very much, but the only way we can set things right is by dealing with the consequences together as a family. You’ve hurt people. But you’re still my son, and I will do whatever I can to help you. Excuse me. I didn’t think it would get to me as much as it has. I—ah, there’s the tissue. I—
RF
It’s all right. I can only imagine what you and Mrs. Burke are going through.
SB
I’m sure anyone who is a parent has the same fears. You do what you can for your children, try to raise them right, give them a future that most can only dream about, but then something happens, and … I don’t know. I’m scared for him.
RF
For him? Or of him?
SB
For him. I’m not scared of my son. And he should know he has nothing to fear from me.