Winter (Hero Society Book 5)

by Jessica Florence

  “Why not?” The man smiled, and something about those flashy white teeth and perfect pink lips around them made me feel warm inside—a different type of warm than what Ruby gave me.

  “I could be a murderer.” Well, he asked, and that was a perfectly reasonable response.

  “At least I’ll have a good last meal before you murder me then.” He sat down, and I simply watched him do it, trying to understand what was happening right now. Of course, instead of saying something, I just continued to stare at him.

  He was handsome, which was not a word I gave out to men easily.

  His hair was a light brown color and was very messy, like he just woke up and threw some clothes on. I guess the bedhead look worked for him. His body was like one I’d see on a men’s beach volleyball team during the Olympics: Broad shoulders and chest covered in a soft-looking gray shirt.

  My eyes roamed back up to his face. He looked like he hadn’t shaved in a few days, and that light dusting of hair made my body react in ways I hadn’t felt before. My nipples were hardening, and it wasn’t because of the cold. My breathing felt like it had picked up slightly. Maybe I was getting sick.

  The man adjusted his glasses, which brought my attention to his eyes. His glasses were simple, but the hazel color behind them was not.

  “Do you play beach volleyball?” I blurted out, realizing this guy was definitely thinking I was off my rocker with how long I’d been staring at him. I just wished I would have thought of something better to say.

  Chapter Six

  Arthur

  Simply adorable.

  Phillip didn’t tell me anything about this girl, other than where she’d be and to treat her nicely. I appreciated that because I really wanted to find out everything about her on my own. I didn’t need him giving me the ins and outs of her past, present, and future. She would tell me in time. Hopefully. Unless I already came off like a creeper by asking to sit with her. She sure looked like she didn’t know how to react in the situation.

  “Not recently.” I smiled at her question.

  “Does that mean you’ve never played beach volleyball? Your body structure looks like the type I saw in the Olympics with the men’s beach volleyball team.”

  She just put whatever she was thinking out there. But I guess her thought meant she had checked out my body, and those dudes were fit.

  “I haven’t, but I’m going to take that as a compliment that I have a fit body like one.”

  Pink blush coated her cheeks, and she started focusing on the winter scene out the window, purposely not looking at me.

  “I’m Arthur.”

  I waited for her to introduce herself, maybe keep playing the small talk game with me, but she just looked at me, nodded that she heard me, and then looked around the diner.

  “Ow.” She jumped an inch to the right, like something bit her.

  “What was that for?”

  I raised my hands, showing I didn’t do whatever just happened.

  “I didn’t do anything.” I had no clue what was going on right now; this situation had not started out how I thought it would at all.

  She whipped her head down to the empty seat next to her and then to me.

  “I know it wasn’t you. It was my companion here. Apparently, I wasn’t listening to his cues about introducing myself and small talk, so he pinched me to get my attention. Sorry. I’m not very good about this thing.” She blew out a breath in exasperation.

  Did she say companion?

  Before I could ask about that, she shook her head.

  “I’m Gwendolyn, human robot of Seahill. I don’t go out much, or talk to a lot of people, and I have Asperger’s syndrome, which is on the autism spectrum.”

  That was a complex introduction, and I did not know what to make about it. Not that I was upset about any of her words. She was just so open, and didn’t beat around the bush at all. It was interesting to talk to someone who just put it all on the table like that.

  The waitress came and dropped off Gwendolyn’s hot chocolate and food. Then she took my order for a coffee and omelet.

  “Why did you say those things about yourself instead of just your name?” She chose those things on purpose; my guess is she thought it would push me away. I could be wrong, but habits from the old me were still hanging around inside me. Like reading people. I was really good at that.

  “Usually people walk away after my awkward introduction. I’m not good at small talk or reading any social cues, really. It’s part of having Asperger’s. Men normally don’t like that. I thought you would wanna know before trying to keep talking to me—didn’t want to freak you out when I didn’t do what you would expect.”

  Her answer was as honest as it gets. I have a cousin who is on the spectrum; he is one of the smartest kids I know. Amazing guy. This girl wasn’t scaring me away from her at all with her introduction; in fact, it only made me want to know more.

  Those ice-blue eyes of hers were staring into my hazel ones, and I was simply mesmerized. I doubt there was anything this girl could do that would turn me off of her. It was crazy. I felt like a madman for being so into a woman after simply seeing her and chatting for all of a few minutes, but I wanted so much more.

  “I’m not going anywhere, as long as that’s okay with you?” She was honest with me, so I returned the favor.

  I swore a small tilt of her lip on the right occurred after she processed my words. Was that an almost smile? My body sagged, and my heart slowed its rhythm. I knew this girl’s smile would break my heart and piece it back together in one moment.

  The painting came to my head like a bolt of lightning. Her face, with those blue eyes, that almost smile, and her pale white hair caressing her blushed cheeks.

  She looked down at the empty seat again, and I remembered what she said before. She had a companion. Was It the dragon? I feel like that thing would have made its presence known by now.

  “You said companion earlier. Who’ve you got hiding over there?”

  She looked at me with a gentle face; it was obvious that whoever was there was loved very much.

  A six-inch, retro-looking robot hopped on the empty section of the table and waved.

  “I’m Pops. Nice to meet you, Arthur.”

  She has a dragon and a robot. Clearly the surprise was written on my face because Gwendolyn felt the need to explain why he was here.

  “I’m the head of the robotics department at Griffin Enterprises. Pops was my first robot, though he’s had lots of updates since high school, but he is the first artificial intelligence android in existence. He also helps interpret the world for me, people interactions and all.” She went about eating her food, and I was happy to digest her words until my food came. Pops started talking about what it’s like being a tiny robot in the world. She must have given him a degree in theater in there, because the little robot was dramatic as fuck. It was entertaining, that’s for sure. I wondered if her dragon was a robot too.

  The rest of breakfast was pleasant. I had no problem initiating conversation, and Gwendolyn seemed relieved that she didn’t have to constantly have to figure out how and when to talk to me.

  “We should do this again sometime soon.”

  The bill had been paid, by me of course. My dad may have been an ass, but my mom raised me to be a gentleman—someone better than the man she married.

  “I think that would be nice.”

  Yes! I would get another shot to talk to her!

  The door to the diner slammed open and both of our heads swung toward the sound.

  Two men in all black, including ski masks over their faces, were holding big guns.

  Chapter Seven

  Gwendolyn

  Breakfast had been nice.

  Arthur was attentive and could read me like a book. It was weird; I didn’t have to figure out when I was supposed to speak, and he didn’t laugh if I said what was on my mind, no matter how random it came out. Pops had been enjoying himself, too. Now he was on my shoulder
, behind my hair, but watching the scene before us.

  “Everyone get on the floor! Except for you, waitress! Empty the register and the safe.” The tall man on the right of the robbery duo shouted instructions, and I felt a rock settle in my gut. Ruby. He was talking to Ruby. Oh God, I was terrified for her. Not wanting anything to happen to her, I acted on the instinct to protect. Her teenager would not be without a mother in this life, as I had been.

  I took a step forward, and Arthur’s hand went out to stop me.

  “Stay still.”

  That same protective instinct had kicked in for him as well, but it was for me. He shook his head no at the same time one of the men stalked over to us and pointed a gun in our faces.

  “Get on the floor or I blow your faces off.” The man was trying to make me scared, but I wasn’t. Fear was an emotion I rarely understood. There was a reason for everything, so I had no reason to fear what was logical.

  Instead of talking, I just stared at the weapon in front of my eyes and watched as it started melting.

  “What the fuck!” the man cursed and dropped the blob of metal that was dripping from his hands.

  The scene caught the attention of the other man, who cursed as well.

  “Let’s get out of here; it’s one of those freaks.” They tried to run, but I wasn’t having that. The metal climbed up the man’s leg and wrapped itself around his body like rope. He fell to the ground with a loud thud, trying to wiggle his way out of his restraints.

  The other man decided to fire first, ask questions later, after seeing his man go down.

  It was hard to stop the bullets, but my hands came up, and I pushed my power out, making them stop mid-air before falling to the floor in tiny puddles. The man tried again to run for the door, but then was hit with a giant snowball to the head.

  He was knocked to the floor, unconscious, and I looked around for the source of the giant snowball, but there was no one outside that could have thrown it.

  “Figured I’d lend a hand,” Arthur whispered, leaning close. When he returned to his full height, I looked up at him with complete surprise. He was like me—someone with powers.

  “Wanna talk about it? My apartment’s close by,” he asked, and I nodded, wanting to know more, but then looked to Ruby. She was fine and walking our way.

  “Go ahead and get out of here. I’ve got this. I know how much you hate attention.” She touched my arm lightly, but I could feel her appreciation in that touch. She knew as much as I did that those men could have hurt her. She was now able to go home and hug her daughter because we intervened.

  This was what being a hero was about. The fact that this woman would see her daughter again because of me.

  I was feeling emotions I wasn’t very capable of coping with right now. It had been a lot. Crap. I knew what was coming, and instead of saying anything I took off for my apartment. If I was going to have a meltdown, I wanted to do it in my house.

  I heard Arthur running behind me, but I was already starting to lose it. I heard someone’s car crunch outside my building, and knew it was only a matter of seconds before I screamed, scaring everyone in the complex. They were used to it, though. No one called the police anymore like when I was new to the place.

  “Gwendolyn, are you okay?” Arthur was following me up the stairs. I didn’t want him to see me like this. Things had been going so nicely, and now I knew this would probably scare him away. No one else could deal with me, so why would he?

  I got the door open to my home and fell to my knees. Hands went to my hair, and I screamed. Episodes like this didn’t happen that often anymore, mostly because I didn’t put myself into situations where there was too much stimulation, mentally or emotionally.

  “Shit!” Arthur cursed, and I felt him try to pick me up, most likely to move me from the doorway. I thrashed, not liking the feeling of being touched right now. My skin felt itchy.

  Cora moved to my side, knowing that I was about to pass out. She would watch over me—protect me—and Pops would make sure my vitals were stable. I was glad I had them.

  My body began to sag, and then I was out.

  “How long do these episodes last?” A man’s voice was talking near me.

  “Usually about four hours. Her mind and body need a break to process all the stimulation. It’s been a while since she’s had one of these moments, so she probably needed an extra hour.” Pops?

  My fingers twitched, and I felt warm metal against my side. I rubbed against it and knew it was my Cora. She would always lie with me and comfort me. Sensing I was coming to, she alerted the others with an excited whimper and then began crawling up toward my face, where she’d nuzzle me awake sweetly.

  “Thank you, Cora.” I opened my eyes and gave her a smile before petting her metal back like one would a cat.

  Pops appeared in my vision.

  “You managed to not have any injures this time. Great job getting back to the apartment.” His little robotic voice was calming, and I felt at ease again.

  As I sat up, I noticed another person in my home, and I jumped back, not expecting another human here.

  “It’s okay. You’re okay. It’s just me, Arthur.” His voice was soothing, and my body seemed to relax hearing the low timbre coming from those lips. Like a thunder blanket you would give to dogs during a storm, his voice had the same effect.

  “What are you doing here?” I asked, my voice was slightly scratchy, a common occurrence when I had these meltdowns.

  Pops was there in a hurry with a bottle of water for me, and I quickly opened it up to take a large sip. The cold liquid was just what I needed to feel normal again.

  “I was worried about you. Wanted to make sure you were all right.”

  Well, that was nice. I didn’t have anyone but my robot family and my old counselor that cared enough about my well-being to check on me. Although, I think more people would if I let them in. People like the Hero Society were kind and like a family. Maybe I could try more with them.

  Hero Society. Powers.

  The memory came to me like a flash of light.

  “You have powers!”

  Chapter Eight

  Arthur

  “We can talk about it another time, if you want me to go so you can rest.”

  Worry was still coursing through my body even though Gwendolyn was okay. I’d never seen a meltdown like that. Scared the shit out of me. I’d been sitting in her very modern and tidy apartment waiting for her to wake up. I wanted to see it with my own eyes she was okay.

  “I’ll be fine. I just have a hard time talking to people, and now that I’m somewhat familiar with you, I want to know about your powers. You make big snowballs?” She sat up and curled her feet underneath her body. That dragon of hers was staying close, seemingly in support. Gwendolyn’s fingers absentmindedly caressed the dragon, feeling her metal body.

  The dragon was a robot, like Pops.

  But she wasn’t like him; where he functioned as a friend, the dragon was more like a small German shepherd.

  “Water.” I leaned back in the chair I was sitting in.

  Her eyes seemed to brighten with curiosity, and I continued talking about my gift.

  “I can manipulate water. In all its forms.” I smiled as I thought about showing what I could do to her. Hopefully she would be more impressed by that than the art I tried to get her attention with.

  I lifted my hand, pointing it toward the bottle of water she was holding. Little bubbles of water started to rise from the container. I felt those little bubbles like they were part of me.

  Her eyes were staring at the little bubbles with complete enrapture. Slender, pale fingers reached up to touch the floating liquid, and a part of me tickled as if she poked me.

  Then she leaned forward and sucked the water into her mouth.

  I had to bite back a groan from escaping from my lips; my concentration was shot after feeling warmth all over my body from her mouth on the water drop. My lack of focus allowed the water to f
all down, getting her knees and part of her couch wet. The dragon was a casualty, too; she took off running around the room like a cat who had just been given a bath. It was quite comical, but I felt bad about the mess I’d made from losing my mind.

  Pulling the water back from her clothes and the couch, I put it back in the bottle.

  “Sorry, I’m still figuring it all out.”

  I didn’t understand why I was so awkward around her. I swear I used to be able to play women like a violin, but this girl just threw me completely off-balance.

  “I’m working with mine, too. It’s a learning process, but I’ve been grateful to be in a career that I get to play with metal all day.”

  The dragon walked back over to its master and dropped a screw in front of her like a prize before turning its head to me, giving me a glare that promised payback for the unintentional bath.

  Note to self: the dragon wanted to fuck me up.

  I focused on the beautiful woman in front of me, who was in turn focusing on the screw in her hand. It melted, then began taking the shape of something else. A snowflake.

  “Wow.”

  I was so astonished. There was no holding back my exclamation. Metal manipulation. That was amazing. I’d seen what she’d done to the men’s guns earlier, and it gave me a new sense of awe for this woman. Not only was she beautiful, but she was a badass.

  “I used to think the power was pointless. What use did I have for manipulating metal? But when I started to learn about metal, it all just clicked for me. I focus on using my powers for good, heading the robotics department.” She was looking down at the snowflake, and it began floating in her palm, just like the real snowflake I’d floated in mine yesterday.

  “It’s a badass power that’s for sure.”

  Her head came back up and she looked at me with that almost smile on her lips.

  “What about you? Do you like having power over water?”

  Her question was completely innocent, but I was taken back to the moment of being stabbed and dying.