By Abigail Falanga
I lurched awake, the dream still scrabbling at my heart.
Not just a dream.
It was real, happening or about to happen. It was all I could do not to call my sister, but I knew she’d insist, as always, that nothing could catch her.
Nothing could, of course. As speedsters went, Hannah could outrun them all.
She was still experimenting with her new superpower. When I’d talked with her yesterday in her loft, she was electric with excitement.
“Think of all the good I could do!” she’d bubbled. “Saving lives. Preventing crime!”
“At least give it time,” I’d argued. “Figure these superpowers out before risking your life with them!”
“Did the Sentinel wait before diving into the fight?”
I gave up.
The Sentinel. The city’s resident—and currently missing—superhero. I would have given anything to know where he was.
My normally delicate, artistic sister was too jubilant to listen to me, and I wasn’t even too worried about her—then.
I rushed from the front door and nearly plowed into my assistant, Angie.
“Sorry I’m late,” she faltered.
“You’re not. I’m early. Please clear my schedule for the day.”
“But, Madam Mayor, there’s that summit and—”
“Cancel it. Then set up a face-to-face with Don Somerville.”
“I could get him on the phone…” Her brow puckered.
“It has to be in person. Text me the time.” I slid into my car and headed for the city records hall.
I’d never wanted to be mayor. But, as a new councilor, I was at the inauguration ceremony a few weeks before for the newly elected mayor—when the bomb went off, destroying half the building and killing hundreds. I stepped in and took the oath myself before the previous mayor—who I strongly suspected of facilitating the attack—could retain the position.
I was right. He was now under investigation.
And here I was, trying to run a city recovering from a terrorist attack, unexplained superpower emergences, and a sharp spike in the crime rate.
The three had to be connected. But the best solution would take weeks of study, research, and city council deliberations.
Now, however, I’d have to act on my own—if I wasn’t already too late.
The guard at the city records’ gate looked bored. “You can’t go in.”
“I’m the mayor.”
“It’s not open yet.”
I drew a deep breath and said tonelessly, “I will be going in.”
He shrugged and opened the gate.
The building was fortunately quiet: I needed to search without bureaucratic help. Electronic information regarding the Taskforce had been deleted—per court order. But hard copies still existed.
The Taskforce was almost legendary. An elite team of superheroes, they’d working alongside law enforcement for decades. Repeated abuses and callous arrogance had resulted in their mandatory dissolution. Everyone said it was for the best.
As I reconnected the pieces of this history, my phone dinged with a message from Angie, and an archivist looked around the corner. “Can I help you?”
“You can forget I was here,” I suggested, smiling.
“I’ll forget you were here.” She nodded and stalked off.
Another few minutes and I found information on Jeremy Jeffries, a Taskforce member with local family—the likeliest to still be in town. Then, I left to meet Don Somerville in his office.
The recently retired city commissioner inquired kindly, “Where’s your security detail?”
“Ditched them for the day.”
“That’s reckless, you know. It’s dangerous out there—especially after the attack.”
Hannah. Running through the city. Night. So fast, wind barely touched her.
Something in the shadows.
Someone. Dark and criminal.
Froze time for an instant.
Caught her.
My sister’s screams—
I shook off the dream’s images, grasping at composure. “Trust me, I know how dangerous it is.”
“Then how can I help you?” Don asked.
“I need Jeremy Jeffries’ address.”
“Jeremy…?”
“SilverBlade.”
Don leaned back in his chair. “I’m surprised you know that.”
“He was young when the Taskforce disbanded. If anyone can contact the rest, it’s him.”
“I can’t give that information out, even to you.”
“But you will,” I insisted quietly.
And he did. A current address, in an apartment building finished the previous year.
“Thinking of getting the Taskforce going again?” Don asked as I turned to leave.
“If this city ever needed superheroes, it does now.”
“You’re not wrong.” He sighed.
I went to Jeffries’ apartment and found it empty. Eventually, however, I tracked him to a rundown gym.
It was closed. But the door was unlocked, so I wove between workout equipment to the light at the back.
“Hey!” A teen confronted me. “What are you doing here?”
I managed not to jump and demanded, “Take me to Jeremy Jeffries.”
He led me into a large back room. Six others were there, one manipulating fire over his hands.
Jeffries was just inside the door. “This is a surprise, Madam Mayor!”
“I’ve come alone.”
“I know.”
I looked at them, noticing something unique in each. “We need the Taskforce—anyone with superpowers willing to fight evil. I’ve learned that a superpowered criminal will strike tonight, so there’s no time to waste on getting formal approval for ordinary action. This is it. This is your call.”
Jeffries glowered. “You realize how wrong it went last time?”
“People are fallible. Superpowers don’t change that. But I’ve always believed in superheroes—those willing to take a stand for the greater good. That’s what the Taskforce was always meant to be.”
“Anyone with superpowers?” asked the teen.
“Yes.” I tried not to think of Hannah. She couldn’t be part of this. Not yet.
“Fine.” Metal flickered across Jeffries’ skin as he looked straight at me. “But on one condition: you have to join the Taskforce, too.”
I flinched. “I can only cut red tape and—”
“And use Jedi mind tricks. And presciently know of an attack. I watched the inauguration. I saw what you did just outside this room.” He gave a lopsided grin. “Welcome to the Taskforce, Madam Mayor.”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Epic. There’s a lot going on in this story, but you manage to handle it in a way that makes me want to know more rather than just feeling overwhelmed.
Agreed!
Thanks, Zachary!
I wasn’t sure I was going to be able to squeeze it all in to only a thousand words, so I’m glad it came out well.
And “Epic” is a wonderful complement. Thanks :D
– Abigail
OH what a fabulous twisty thing! Well done!
*chuckles with glee*
Thanks so much!
Great story and fun twist! Yes, I want to know more about the Taskforce and the Superpowers! Keep up the good work!
Thanks so much for reading!
If you read my previous story “The Sentinel” from a couple of weeks ago, you may have noticed that this ties in. Two sides of the same story, two different versions of “answering the call.” A mayor dealing with the fallout of a disaster a superhero was too late to prevent.
I’m looking forward to exploring this world more. Several new adventures (and exciting new superheroes) are brewing, and I can’t wait to share! (please follow my social media for updates)
Also… This story is for my own sister Hannah, for whom I would also go to extraordinary lengths!
Abigail Falanga
I was wondering how many other stories you’d written in this world. I picked up on The Sentinel connection. I like the mayor and her Jedi mind tricks. :)
I loved how you wove hints about the mc’s power through the story! (and the reference towards Jedi just seals the deal XD). Great story!
I completely agree! I really enjoyed how the Mayor has powers, too!