Killing Capes

by Scott Mathy

  As Bernard leapt forward, over the stone platform where one of the suits had stood, Dwight slid beneath him. Scooping up a broken blade from the floor, he pressed it between the knuckles of his prosthetic arm. As Bernard turned back and raised a colossal fist to pummel his kneeling foe, Dwight reversed directions, kicking off of the pillar, and passed between his legs. He rolled into a crouch, then launched himself into the air at Bernard’s back. His ex-partner didn’t have time to react as Dwight punched the piece of cold steel into the base of Bernard’s neck directly into his spine.

  Bernard dropped limply forward, his control of his body instantly severed. He lay there, unable to move as Dwight rolled off of his back, settling on the ground beside the disabled man. The big man’s body twitched sporadically, the muscles looking for direction from his detached spinal cord.

  His face was locked in frantic horror, “What the ‘ell did you do to me?!” he shouted, looking for answers to his paralysis.

  Dwight was breathing heavily, feeling the aftereffects of the drug kicking in as his borrowed powers began to fade on schedule. “I took away your ability to move. Regenerate through a piece of steel, asshole.”

  Bernard roared all manner of distasteful hatred. Dwight pulled himself to his feet, ignoring the profanities. He walked over to Lia just in time to see the light on the limiter go dark. She blinked rapidly as her mind regained control of her body.

  After a moment, she came to, “Dwight!” she launched herself up and threw her arms around him, instantly triggering every overwhelmed pain receptor in his body.

  He collapsed at her touch. Both of them tumbled to the unyielding floor. “Ow! Fuck, please not now!” he begged. The hangover from rapidly dispersing super-drugs was among the worst things he had ever experienced. He wanted nothing more than to enter the sweet embrace of a chemically-induced coma back at the Doc’s lab, but he needed to finish cleaning up Bernard’s mess first. “Come on, we need to fix this before I crash.”

  She helped him up, letting him lean on her as they made their way to Wulf’s desk. Bernard’s screaming intensified, the content of his insults migrating to descriptive and disturbing methods of revenge he would enact upon the both of them. A harsh mental jab from Lia shut him up. His eyes went distant and a thin line of drool ran until a pool formed beneath his sagging jaw.

  “That’s got it. Now he thinks he’s a lobster – one that is deathly afraid of the pot it’s cooking in.” She seemed satisfied with her handiwork.

  Finding Wulf’s control console, Dwight called Ellis. The Doc picked up immediately; her face appeared on the monitor built into the desk. “Is she safe?” the Doc asked, searching past Dwight in the screen.

  “I’m alright, Beth. Just a major headache,” Lia said. She leaned in over Dwight’s shoulder.

  Relief washed over the doctor’s face in a way Dwight had never seen before. All of the anguish he had seen in Ellis instantly dissolved. “What do you need, then?” she was already back to business.

  Dwight winced in his seat, the effects growing steadily worse. “I need to you feed this signal into every networked device in New Haven.”

  The Doc raised an eyebrow, “Tall order there, Dwight. I was expecting you wanted to destroy another one of my prized possessions or something.”

  “I don’t have time to play around. Please do it.” He was sweating now, the discomfort spreading faster and faster. He began to wonder if organ failure was an undocumented symptom of the drug.

  “Alright, give me just a second.” She started typing at a furious speed. About ten seconds later, she gave the keys a final, hard tap, “There, done. All of New Haven can see you.”

  He immediately began, unsure of how much longer he’d retain the ability to speak coherently, “Attention, Powers of New Haven: My name is Dwight Knolls. You probably already know me as the Referee.” Every word hurt, but by the time he finished his sentence, the distant sounds of fighting outside faded. “I am currently in control of StarPoint Industries. Elijah Wulf and his successor are dead.” They didn’t need to know that Bernard was actually paralyzed on the floor with the mind of a shellfish.

  He continued, “I am calling for all Powers in the city to stand down. Your orders are withdrawn. Any who do not follow my instructions will be hunted down. You have seen my work. You know what I can do. Cease all further hostilities and return to wherever the fuck you call home, under penalty of death.”

  He cut the feed and collapsed in Wulf’s oversized chair, his body rebelling at a cellular level. This was the point where Ian had lost consciousness; he didn’t see himself going much further. Before he went, he had one more thing to take care of.

  He pointed one shaking finger at the glass dome at the far end of the table. “Where’s the body?”

  It took Lia a second to figure out what he had meant. She went to the supply closet in the hallway outside the office. There was the distinct thud of a corpse hitting the floor before she returned a moment later, dragging Wulf’s headless body by the legs. When she got close enough to the desk, she released it. Wulf’s impeccably tidy white suit was torn and caked in gore. The fight with Bernard had not been kind to him.

  Even lifting the weight of the dome was impossible at this point. Lia ran over to help tip the glass and free the head within. It sat motionless, the surprised look of a man whose immortality had been suddenly stolen locked on its face. Wulf’s striking features seemed less frightening when inanimate.

  Dwight motioned to Lia, now unable to move under his own power, “Put them together. He should regenerate pretty fast.”

  She looked doubtful, “Dwight, he’s dead. I watched Bernard kill him myself. I turned off his abilities.”

  “Your powers would have worn off by now. If I know this bastard, he’ll be fine once he’s whole again.” He began coughing violently as Lia picked up the head.

  She carefully lined up the severed neck with the head. Even as she pulled her hands back, a few thin threads of sinew began to form between the two. Within seconds, the only trace of Bernard’s treachery was a single hair-thin red line on Wulf’s neck. With a sudden gasp for air, the tyrant of New Haven shot up from where he lay. The menace came back to his features as he returned to life. The faded amber of his eyes flared with consciousness. He slicked his disheveled hair back with a blood-soaked hand.

  By now, Dwight could feel himself slipping. The contest to keep his body together was all he could think about. Still, he had enough energy to watch as his boss rose to his feet and straightened his ruined suit.

  Lia returned to Dwight’s side and put a hand to his chest, attempting to stabilize his ragged breathing, “You win, Wulf; it’s all yours,” he said.

  The last thing he heard as his eyes closed was the slow laughter of the monster he had brought back from the dead, “Of course it is, Mr. Knolls. It always was.”

  Eighteen

  Dwight awoke back in Ellis’s medical suite. His sudden revival came with a rush of unbelievable pain. Every muscle in his body rebelled against the poison burning itself out in his veins. He had never experienced detox before, but he likened the sensation to his beating from Killstreak. Violent spasms rocked his body while he remained strapped to the gurney.

  Deep down, Dwight knew that the aftereffects would pass. Despite his suffering, the results were worth it. He had not only saved Lia, but the entire city. He’d put the monster back on his throne because that’s what this city needed: a madman keeping everyone else sane. They needed someone so bad that the idea of crossing him was completely unthinkable. He wondered if that was Wulf or him now.

  Ellis did what she could to help, but without the aid of more drugs, there was little available to her. She kept a TV on for him. The news reported that night’s events without any of Wulf’s usual subterfuge. It was a war between the Powers of New Haven; there was no hiding it. The normal citizens were in an uproar. Some groups were calling for the Capes to leave the city entirely.

  Dwight knew that would never hap
pen; they were too ingrained in their society. The media called it a miracle that the Referee had stepped in to end the conflict. In the end, a few million dollars in property damage was a small price to pay for the temporary peace.

  By the fourth day, he was starting to feel like himself again. The excruciating episodes had become short-lived and irregular, and he could remain awake for most of the day. His head still ached behind his eyes and every muscle in his body was strained beyond use, but he was at least able to hold a normal conversation without wanting to pass out.

  Lia and Ian both came to see him throughout the week. Somehow, the ravages of the serum hadn’t hit the smaller man as severely. The Doc assured them both there would be no long-term damage. Even though he was limping around, Ian looked more confident than Dwight had ever seen him.

  Lia’s appearance surprised Dwight more than his roommate’s. The limiter on her head was replaced with a smooth plate, and she’d forgone the wig entirely. He could instantly sense her discomfort as she entered the suite. He felt the familiar touch of her powers in his mind. Still, she managed a pained smile as she eased her way over to the gurney.

  “Not holding yourself back anymore?” he asked, indicating the missing device. He knew the question was pointless if she was just reading his mind constantly, but it felt good to be able to speak again despite the pain in his voice.

  She sat down beside him on the bed, “I’m trying something different: control rather than suppression. These are my powers, and I’m the one in charge.”

  “Didn’t like being a brainwashed minion?” It had hurt seeing her in that state; living in it must have been a nightmare.

  “It was like being trapped behind thick glass, watching my body react to whatever he said. No matter how much I wanted to scream, nothing happened. I saw myself shut down Wulf while Bernard tore his head off. I sat on that cold floor and waited for his next order. I tried to do it to you. There was nothing I could do. I’m never going through that again. If an asshole like Bernard could control me, imagine what someone with actual intelligence could have done. I can’t risk that – even if it means I have to live with other people’s thoughts constantly.” She was resolute. The change gave Dwight comfort.

  “That’s a brave way of looking at it. You need anything, I’m right here.” He closed his eyes, letting the first restful sleep he’d had in days come over him.

  A few hours later, he got another visitor: the Doc knocked lightly. She entered, holding a tablet. Her hands kept the screen from him, pressed tightly against her chest. “It’s Wulf, he wants a quick word. You up for it?” she asked, taking a seat in the bedside chair.

  Dwight thought for a second. The idea of speaking to his boss made him feel ill again, but he wanted to get this out of the way. He sat up, “Yeah, I’ll talk to him. Give it here.”

  She passed him the screen. He rested the device on his chest. Wulf’s grinning face greeted him in a way that made his stomach turn. “Good morning, Mr. Knolls. How’s rehab treating you?” He was seated at his desk with his city behind him. The glare from the afternoon sun coming through the windows cast a shadow over his features. Wulf appeared unchanged; the line across his throat had completely disappeared.

  “I’m going to need a few sick days. Hope that’s alright, considering I brought you back from the dead.” He wasn’t kidding. This had all been Wulf’s fault as far as Dwight was concerned. If his boss’s ego didn’t demand that stupid challenge, Bernard never would have been able to take charge. He thought about apologizing for Rampage’s death, but decided against it. The lizard didn’t deserve the respect.

  Wulf steepled his fingers in front of his face. “I suppose, Mr. Knolls, but we’ll need to find you a replacement for your partner when you have the time. Your old one is being personally attended to for the foreseeable future. I don’t imagine you’ll be meeting again.”

  The thought made Dwight shudder. Bernard’s regenerative powers would enable Wulf to live out all sorts of twisted fantasies on the poor man. Sure, he was an asshole who had nearly gotten them all killed for his dream of revenge. However, being left in the hands of the Wulf was a fate far worse than any death. He decided it would be best to drop the subject immediately.

  “I’ve got a few people in mind. Tell you what; I’ll let you know when I’m available again.”

  Wulf tilted his head in curiosity, trying to gauge Dwight’s newfound initiative, “If you insist, Mr. Knolls. Don’t keep me waiting too long.” He cut the transmission.

  Dwight let the tablet fall against his spinning stomach. He noticed the cold pools spreading beneath his arms. His breathing and heart rate slowed as he eased back in his bed. Ellis collected the device and left without a word. He spent the rest of the day silently thinking about his future before he finally drifted off to sleep.

  The next day, he felt ready to leave. In the morning, he attempted to stand with some difficulty. The resonating ache in his muscles had grown tolerable, if annoying. Walking was more of a challenge. He wasn’t capable of anything more than a slow stride. Still, the monochromatic walls and the endless news reports weren’t doing his sanity any favors. He found the jeans and t-shirt that Ellis left for him. In all likeliness, Ellis had destroyed the ruined clothing he was wearing at StarPoint. He’d probably be charged for the replacements.

  As he prepared to head home, the door to the room opened slowly. Linda cautiously peeked in. She was dressed in civilian clothes; her plain slacks and cardigan were so mundane compared to the cape and spandex he was used to seeing her in. In her arms, she carried the same black duffel bag that had contained Ellis’s weapons during his cross-city sprint.

  “Can I come in?” she asked, holding herself at the threshold of the doorway.

  Dwight wasn’t quite sure what to expect. The last time they’d seen each other, she was ready to take him into custody for murder. He didn’t feel up for an argument, but doubted he would be arrested while she was in her casual wear. “Sure, come in.” He took a seat on the edge of the bed.

  She walked over, sitting in the nearby chair. “Look, I know this is weird. I heard the news about Wulf and StarPoint – about the battle. I’m sorry I stopped you. You were trying to help, in your own fucked up way. This is just all so…” she stopped, lost for words, “…not you.” Her eyes were locked on the bag. He couldn’t blame her; the contents could probably level the city in an instant. “I don’t know, Dwight. You’ve got a name now. They’re talking about you like you’re dangerous.”

  “There is a very strict list of reasons someone ends up in a briefcase for me. I’m not killing for sport.” He still wasn’t sure if he was trying to convince his ex or himself.

  She was quiet for some time, still staring down at the black bag. “You’re right. Regardless of whatever Wulf wants you to be, you’re right. You saved the city, protected people. The normals are calling you their savior.”

  He was skeptical, but interested in where this was going, “You’re okay with the fact that I’ve been killing Powers?”

  “I’m not sure,” she said. Her eyes were wrapped in tears, “ but StarPoint can’t happen again. I don’t know where this leaves us, but you can call off your lawyer. I want to talk to you about whether we can work this out as adults.”

  “Linda, this probably isn’t the place…” he trailed off.

  “I know, but even if we’re done, I want you to know that it wasn’t all for nothing.” She continued crying. She held out the bag, careful not to shift its contents. “I’m not saying everything is okay, but I was wrong to keep her from you.”

  Dwight suddenly realized that there weren’t high-tech weapons of mass destruction in the bag. He gently took it and tugged on the partially opened zipper. A five-pound ball of fluff and saliva leapt into his arms. The small dog began frantically dancing in his lap. Its auburn hair brushed against his face as he held her close.

  “Molly!” he shouted, overcome with joy. The Pomeranian seemed equally as excited to see her hum
an. Linda watched the two from a distance at first, then joined the reunion.

  A knock at the door interrupted their celebration. The doctor entered, holding Dwight’s phone in one hand. She looked distressed. “You’ve got a call,” she held out the device.

  Dwight shook his head, “I’m a little busy. Tell them I’ll call back.” All of his efforts were fixed on controlling the furry creature racing around the bed. The Doctor did her best to ignore the mess the animal was making of her medical suite.

  Ellis persisted, “No, you’ll want to take this. It’s important.” Her troubled expression was enough to communicate the severity of the call.

  He took the phone from Ellis. Linda retrieved the dog from his lap, pulling the panting creature close to her chest. There was nothing on the screen to identify the caller. Hesitantly putting the phone to his ear, he heard nothing through the receiver.

  “Hello?” he asked.

  “Mr. Knolls,” Midas’s voice was distraught in a way Dwight had never heard him, “we need your assistance with a matter of some importance.”

  Dwight listened silently, pondering how the game had changed.

  “When can you come?”

  About the Author:

  You should do what you teach. As someone who has been teaching writing for almost a decade, I decided it was time for me to step up and actually get something published.

  I've lived in Illinois all my life and, apart from a brief time as a foreign exchange student, have spent most of my time within eight hours of Normal.

  I currently live here with my wife and dog. I teach English at a local junior high. No one ever envies my work.