Sway

While there were many residents in the facility there was only one who was really noteworthy. Carmine had met her once. She had scared him a little with her long green limbs and her pupilless eyes. But she had been so kind to him. She’d apologized for him ending up in that place. He’d been a little sad when he heard she left. Mostly he’d been surprised.

No one he knew had ever left. Everyone came in, stated what they could do, and were given a job once they were deemed old enough. A few had died, buried nearby. Carmine had heard once that there were 57 occupants. He supposed that without E.V.E. there were 56 now.

“Is that your real name?”

“No. My real name was too hard for my human companions to pronounce.”

“The other heroes? Tell me about them?”

“That is too painful to do.”

She had been one of the originals. He’d heard whispers from the others. There were six but someone had died. And E.V.E. had taken the blame. The heroes left. But evil continued so one returned. And more joined him.

Maybe someday he could join them too. Maybe his mother would come back and he could go home. Maybe, when he was ready, he could join the other heroes.

But first he would learn to control the power inside him.

“Are you ready to try again?” the doctor asked him.

“As ready as I’ll ever be,” Carmine stood, shaking off his thoughts. He needed to focus now.

“Very well,” the doctor looked over his notes. “Let’s try to replicate Lightening’s speed.” He pressed a few buttons on a remote and a video played.

Carmine watched as a blur sped across the screen. He tried to focus on the old video. He tried to imagine going fast, speeding out of the compound and past the mountains surrounding it. He tried to imagine the wind through his hair, drying out his skin. He could feel it. It felt so refreshing and cool.

“Carmine!”

His eyes shot open. When had they closed? There was wind rushing around him, trying to escape. He saw the doctor pressed against the wall. The wind was too strong for him. Had he done that? How was he supposed to stop? The wind got stronger. Carmine grabbed the bracelet. He snapped it onto his wrist and everything stopped.

“What were you thinking about?” the doctor asked.

“I was trying to imagine running. I thought, maybe imagining the wind on my face would help.”

“Interesting,” the doctor scribbled in his book. “Let’s try again.”

“No,” Carmine refused. “I can’t focus today.”

“If you don’t try, we won’t make any progress,” the doctor said.

“I don’t make any progress anyway,” Carmine said, folding his arms. “I’ve been here for 8 years. Nothing’s changed.”

“Mastering your ability takes patience.”

“For how long? How long did it take E.V.E.?”

The doctor stiffened. “E.V.E. was a special case.”

“Whatever,” Carmine walked out the door. He would get penalized for that. But he honestly didn’t care anymore. Eight years he had been there and nothing. No improvement. Whatever was inside of him, he couldn’t control it.

“West.”

So, the good doctor had already reported him. He turned to the guards. “Solitary confinement?” The guards nodded. “How long?”

“Two hours,” one guard said.

Carmine shrugged and followed the guards. He might actually see his roommate tonight. The room itself was fine. There was a bed, a desk, and a bathroom. Carmine flopped down on the bed before the guards left. If he didn’t have the bracelet on, he could practice but what good did that do anyway? The desk had paper but Carmine had nothing to write about and couldn’t draw. Instead, he closed his eyes.

He could see her again. Her soft brown hair cascading over her shoulder, eyes wide in terror. He hadn’t meant to do anything wrong but they were watching a movie. The kid in the film could control fire, so naturally Carmine set himself on fire. He was so proud until he saw his mother’s eyes.

“Mama? What’s wrong?”

She’s found the institution a week later. So that he could learn to control his gift. She used to visit weekly, but a month ago she’d stopped. He missed her deeply. What had happened? Had she given up on him?

A sound blared through the compound, waking him. Carmine sat up, listening. Checking the time, he noted that he’d only been asleep for about 30 minutes, tops. He tried to deifier the alarm. What did that sound mean? Were they under attack? Was there an earthquake?

As suddenly as the alarm started it ended. Somehow that was worse.

He watched the clock. Time clicked slowly. Five minutes took an hour. An hour took a year. Something was happening. Had E.V.E. come back? Why would she do that? If she had mastered her own abilities, she had no reason to return. And if she had come back why would an alarm be sounded?

Two sharp knocks came to the door. “Hello? Anyone in there?”

Carmine stood. He wasn’t sure if he should answer. The voice sounded young. Two more knocks came.

“Hello? I’m here to get you out.”

“What?”

“Ha. Knew there was someone. Stand back, I’m breaking the door down.”

Carmine had barely pushed himself against the wall when the door fell with a large crash. In front of him was… something. Errant sparks flew around her body as her ponytail fell. Her eyes were hidden behind a mask that matched the rest of her tight suit. The only indication he had of her identity was the symbol on her chest.

“Lightning?” But Lightning had been a man and much older.

She smiled. “Sort of. Lightning in my grandfather. And great-grandfather.”

“But then, who are you?”

“Lightspeed. Now come on, let’s get you out of here.”

“Why?”

“My uncle changed the name,” Lightspeed said. “He thought it sounded cooler.”

“No. Why do we need to leave?”

“Do you know what this place is?”

“Of course, I do. It’s a place for people like me to learn to use our powers.”

“Hate to break it to you, but no. It’s a prison for people like you. You’re all lab rats in this place.”

“What? No. The doctor…”

“Is trying to understand how your powers work so he can control you. Not just you but everyone else in this joint. Now come one, we gotta go.”

“No.” If Carmine could he would have taken another step back. “My mother wouldn’t have brought me to a prison.”

Lightspeed’s face softened. “She wouldn’t have known. The fact that she even found this place was by design. Now come on.”

“NO! You’re lying! He’s trying to help us!” Carmine could feel his powers trying to boil over. If it wasn’t for the bracelet, he would hurt her for saying such things.

Her face softened. “What’s your name?”

“Why should I tell you?”

“You don’t have to. It’s just a question.”

“Carmine.”

“And how old are you?”

“16.”

“I’m 15.”

His mouth dropped. “But I thought…”

“You’ve been here for a while. Things change.” There was the sound of an explosion, the ground rumbling beneath them. “We really need to go.”

“I..”

“I’m not going to hurt you. But you will get hurt if you stay here.”

“Ok.”

Carmine followed her out. The lights had gone out. He’d never noticed how gloomy the place could be. He followed the girl. Her whole body was tense. She stopped them to look around every corner. They should have run into someone by now. A guard or another patient of the doctor.

“Where is everyone?”

“Already out,” Lightspeed said. “When we noticed the count was off E.V.E. insisted we checked the solitary confinements.”

“E.V.E.’s with you?”

“She used to work with my great-grandfather. We thought she’d gone home honestly.”

“Is he here?”

“No. He can’t run like he used to. My grandpa is though.” She glanced back at him. “What can you do?”

“The doctor called it power replication.”

“Really?” Lightspeed stopped.

“I can’t control it though,” Carmine said quickly.

“Well, never hurts to practice.” Lightspeed reached for the bracelet.

“It does actually,” Carmine took a step back. “I tried to run earlier today and I just caused a windstorm.”

“How did you do that?”

“I was trying to imagine running and thought about how it would feel. Next thing I know there’s a windstorm.”

“You thought about running?”

“Well, yeah.”

Lightspeed laughed. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry. It’s not funny. I just…” She composed herself. “Running isn’t something you think about, it’s something you do.”

“Easy for you to say.”

“Yes,” Lightspeed agreed. Before Carmine could stop her, she’d taken off the bracelet. “And soon it’ll be easy for you. Come and get it.” Then she was gone.

She had his bracelet. She had the only thing keeping him in check. Carmine ran after her. He had to get it back. Otherwise, who knew what chaos he would unleash. Soon she was in his sight.

“Nice of you to join me,” Lightspeed greeted.

“Give it back.”

“Can’t.”

“What do you mean?”

“I threw it away.”

“WHAT?!” Carmine grabbed her.

“Woah!” Lightspeed turned her body while holding onto him. She pulled him close and dug her feet in so they skidded to a stop.

“What just happened?” Carmine asked.

“You grabbed me while we were running 50 miles an hour,” Lightspeed said. “Not your smartest move.”

“I ran?”

She smiled. “You didn’t even notice it. Don’t think about running, just run.”

“But why did that work?”

“Because it did. Does it need a reason?”

“Yes! I’ve been trying to control any of the powers I could copy for years. Hours of sessions and nothing. You… In two seconds!”

“Hey,” Lightspeed put a hand on his shoulder. “I’ve been running since I was 6. I know how to run. That’s why I could help. But I can’t help you make a windstorm or anything else. Just running. Powers are hard and they’re all different. Besides, it’s a learning curve for everyone.”

“Yeah right.”

“First time I ran I ended up Andorra.”

“I don’t know where that is.”

“Neither did I.”

Carmine allowed a small smile. “You are one of the good guys?”

“I like to think so,” Lightspeed said. “

“Ok. Which way is out?”

“That way. Run for about five minutes and you should be at a safe distance. I’ll catch up with you soon.”

“You’re not coming?”

“I have to meet up with E.V.E and my grandpa first. We’re going to make sure this place is gone, otherwise they’ll just round you all up again.”

“I’ll help.”

“That’s not…”

“If this place was only meant to lock me up then I want to take it down. “

Lightspeed regarded him.

“Please.”

“Ok,” she agreed. “But you follow my lead.”

Lightspeed ran and Carmine followed. Running was freeing. This was different than moving around the track. He couldn’t feel his muscles burning even though they had to be stressed. Right? Maybe his own body adapted to the need of the different powers. He looked to Lightspeed. The tension was gone. Running must just be her element. Maybe he could just run with her forever?

But then she slowed down and stopped. She looked around the hall. A crinkled formed on her mask.

“What’s wrong?”

“They were supposing to be here,” Lightspeed said. “E.V.E. was getting the rest of the guards out and grandpa was placing charges. We were supposed to meet here, I was going to finish the charges and then we were going to leave so E.V.E. could set them off.”

Carmine nodded. “Maybe something went wrong?”

“Must have,” Lightspeed agreed. You need to go.”

“No. I’m helping you.”

“This isn’t a game. You could get hurt.”

“So could you.”

“Carmine, there’s no time to argue.”

“Right so I’m coming with you because I have a guess at where the doctor would have taken them.”

“You do?”

“I do.”

“Fine,” Lightspeed agreed. “Lead the way.”

They slunk down the hall. Carmine checked every corner. He needed to be able to protect this girl. 15. She was 15. He looked back at her. How long had she been Lightspeed? How many people had she helped in that time? He needed to do this. He needed to be able to help her.

“…failed…never…”

Carmine stopped.

“Carmine? What is it?” Lightspeed asked.

“I thought I heard something. A woman’s voice. But...”

“Have you ever replicated super hearing?”

“No. How do I do that?”

“My guess would be to just try to focus on your hearing,” Lightspeed said.

“Focus.” Carmine closed his eyes.

“She’s a sentient being,” He heard a man saying. “You can’t treat her like this.”

“She’s an alien. She has no rights on this planet.” The woman’s voice was cold.

“She’s a hero,” the man said.

“Containment process starting.” That was the doctor’s voice. “Soon she’ll be neutralized.”

“Good. And Lighting’s memory will need to be erased. Along with all the subjects,” the woman said.

“Maybe we study him as well?” The doctor requested.

“No. He’s too well known.”

“How unfortunate.”

“Carmine,” Lightspeed’s voice brought him back. “What’s happening?”

“I think I heard your grandpa and the doctor. Along with some woman. They said something about a containment process and erasing our memories.”

“Can you hear where they are?”

“Yeah.” Carmine led her down the hall and out to another building, one he had never noticed before. “Here. They’re in here.”

“Ok. Wait here, I’m gonna look in.” Lightspeed ran in the other direction. Before Carmine had a chance to wonder what she was doing Lightspeed had turned around and ran up the side of the building. In the next breath she was beside him. “Yep, gramps is in there. They’re trying to lock E.V.E. back up. I’m gonna run us in there.”

“How?”

“There’s a window that someone left open up there. I’ll just run us up there, and we’ll hide on the catwalk until we make our move.”

“And I’m supposed to get up there how?”

Lightspeed pointed to her back. “I’m stronger than I look.”

Carmine nodded, “I’m going to regret this.” He climbed on her back trying to think light thoughts.

“Put your face in my neck. You don’t want the wind in your eyes or a bug to fly into your mouth.”

“Fun.” Carmine buried his face. He felt her body shift and the movement. Running was different with her. He could feel each muscle move in perfect sync. He wasn’t even sure when they turned or when the shift from horizontal to vertical running was made. Then they were in. He slid off her back and looked below.

Carmine had figured they would be in the doctor’s office. Instead, there was a full lab beneath them. Lightspeed’s grandfather was strapped down. E.V.E. was in some sort of orb. But it was the woman who really grabbed his attention.

“Who is she?” Carmine asked

“Tabitha Mullins,” Lightspeed answered. “She’s the one who really runs this place.”

“So, we take her down?”

“Basically. If I give you enough time, can you create a windstorm to get rid of them?”

“Maybe. But can’t you…”

“I can only do so much,” Lightspeed said. “They know about me so I can catch their attention. Try and get a windstorm. I’ll take it from there.” She moved, quick but controlled, to her grandfather. She could have gone faster but then Tabatha wouldn’t have noticed her.

“Well, well. Lightspeed. I suspected they brought someone else.”

Lightspeed stepped out, a smirk on her face. “Yeah, old people usually need a little help. Harder to get around after a while.”

“So, they bring in a child. Typical. Your existence should be illegal.”

“Well, it’s not. Nice place you got by the way.”

“It’ll kill you. Running after all the heroes,” Tabatha said.

“Maybe someday,” Lightspeed agreed. “That’s my risk to take.”

“We could help you. Keep you safe,” Tabatha said, hand reaching out.

“I think I’ll pass on that one.”

“We could help you unlock powers you never dreamed of,” the doctor came forward.

“You want to teach someone who runs how to run better by keeping them in a confined space,” Lightspeed laugh. “That makes complete sense.”

Carmine closed his eyes. He needed to try. How had he done it this morning? By imagining the wind. Trying to feel it against his skin. He imagined it on his face again. Tried to imagine the stinging feel of it. His hair started to whip back and forth. He opened his eyes. There it was but it was too confined. He needed to let go. But, if he did, he could hurt someone.

“Mama,” He looked up as she came through the door. He was eight again, and he was just so excited. “Look!”

“Carmine!” Her eyes widened as she looked at the blocks floating in the air. He’d done something wrong. “How? What are you doing?”

“I don’t know.”

The blocks had flown. One of the corners caught his mother. She hadn’t been injured that badly. But there had been others as he tried so hard to figure out how to control the power inside him. The wind was dying down. He looked at Lightspeed

Tabitha was glaring at her. “Very well.” She grabbed a gun and fired. Carmine’s eyes widened as flames shot towards Lightspeed. She froze.

“No!” Lightning struggled against his bonds.

She was in danger. She had come to help them and now she was in danger.

The wind rushed around him and focused, grabbing the fire away. It flew towards the console the doctor had been working at. Tabitha and the doctor stared in horror as the console burned, and the orb opened.

“Good, evening,” E.V.E said as she stepped out. A glow formed around her. “And farewell.” Two holes opened pulling Tabitha and the doctor through.

“Where the hell did that come from?” Lightning asked.

“I made a friend,” Lightspeed said.

“Are you ok sweetie?”

“I’m good gramps.” Lightspeed took a breath. “Carmine, you can come down now.”

“I’m not sure how to,” Carmine said. E.V.E. lifted her hand and Carmine felt himself be lifted and lowered to them. “Oh. Thank you. Where did they go?”

“I believe I sent them to Romania,” E.V.E. said as she waved her hand to unclasp Lightning’s bonds. “Should be rather difficult for them to get back without their passports.”

“Gives us plenty of time to bury this place,” Lightning walked over to Lightspeed. “I got a few of the bombs placed.”

“I can handle the rest. Need to clear my head anyway,” Lightspeed said. She held her hand out and Lightning gave her a few small strips. “I’ll meet you in the mountains.”

“What now?” Carmine asked as she sped off.

E.V.E. created another portal. “We head to the mountains. After that, we return everyone to their families.”

“Anyone who doesn’t have family to go to will come stay with us for a while until we can figure something out.”

“I’ll be with you then,” Carmine said.

“You are welcome for as long as you need a place,” Lightning placed a hand on his shoulder as they stepped through the portal. Lightspeed was waiting along with all the other occupants.

“You guys are slow.”

“Not everything needs to be fast, Speeds,” Lightning ruffled her hair.

E.V.E. stared out into the valley and raised her hand. Explosions echoed. Carmine was surprised to find he felt nothing. No loss, no joy. Just numb.

“You good?” Lightspeed asked.

“Sure. You?”

“Good enough for now.”

“Thank you,” Carmine said.

“For what?”

“For the first time, I feel in control.”

Lightspeed smiled. “Enjoy it.”

Carmine looked past the valley. He didn’t know what the future held, but now it would be his choice.