Back at the HQ, I made myself a cup of white tea and then settled down in my office.

I turned on a recording of the news channel, the Daily Duel, leaned back in my chair, and clasped my hands together. The prison breaks were the first thing they reported, which made sense considering my appearance there.

“Villains Corp. made a strike at both the suppression chambers, as well as the mundane prison. Apart from the villains caught in yesterday’s battle, no one else was released.

More shocking than the prison breaks themselves is the reemergence of Valiant, who disappeared from the Union three years ago. With no information as to why she disappeared in the first place, and now, with her leading a group of villains in a prison break, much speculation is going about what exactly happened that led her to this. The Union has not released any statements as of yet.

Another shocking event occurred when Mudshot, who was guarding the suppression chambers during the break in today, officially announced her retirement from the Union. Under the effects of power distortion, her powers changed from nightmarish to beautiful. She has publicly stated that she is unwilling to fight off the change, and is not interested in having her powers return to their old state.

There are rumours that the Union may sue her for breaching her duties, and that the popular modeling agency Jasmine and Clover has hired her, but nothing is confirmed yet. Skewer is still recovering from the injuries he sustained....Ally-Cat is still missing, and it is presumed she has been taken hostage by Villains Corp.”

The news segwayed into more details of the prison break, but I’d heard what I wanted.

I was officially back, the public was in the know. No longer was I a heroine disappeared. Valiant had cast her lot with the villains, and there would be speculation and probably lots of public disgust. I’d dealt with worse, but still, my chest tightened. I pressed my head to my desk for a moment and took a deep breath.

My phone beeped with a text, and I lifted my head. It was from Dark, asking if I was still working, yet again. Yup, I’m in my office, I typed back, will be here for a while.

Be right there, he responded.

A minute later there was a knock on my door.

“Come on in,” I called out.

“Good evening, Miss Bell,” he said, and took a seat across from me, “quite a long day, huh?”

“Yes, sir.”

“I saw some of the footage on the Duel. Your choice of attire surprised me.”

Another thing I’d worried about was Dark’s reaction to my costume, but more than upset, he seemed curious.

“I know we want to hurt them,” he continued, “but going out like that is making a huge statement, and in some ways I’d think more painful to you, not them, no?”

I shook my head, “It’s better like this. I’m not just running away anymore, or hiding behind a new identity. And this way, the public will realize that maybe the Union isn’t all it shows itself to be.”

Dark stayed quiet for a moment, and then nodded. As he spoke, the formality he normally used eased up.

"Just...don’t get so caught up in hurting them that you lose track of yourself. If you ever start sliding down that slope, I would regret hiring you."

The warmth in his words surprised me, though Dark was always a thoughtful man.

"I'll be okay," I smiled, "I made my choices, and I stand by them. And if I ever do start losing something of myself, let me know."

I went back to business talk, and gave Dark a run down of the day. When I mentioned some of the more amusing proposals we'd received for dealing with the Union he let out a low laugh.

“I can’t wait to watch the Union squirm,” I smiled at the thought.

“They’re already squirming--you’re working with us. You mentioned Red Scar after the meeting," Dark said, "what happened?"

I grimaced, "That idiot came right out and asked me to join him in ousting you."

Dark shook his head, "Thank goodness the retreat's next week."

“As it stands,” I said, “I’m staying behind with the skeleton crew, correct?”

Dark nodded, “Yes. We might be able to have you attend the retreat for one of the days though.”

“Okay.”

“Thank you for your help Miss Bell. I have some things to take care of. I’ll see you tomorrow.” Dark stood, and I walked him to the office door.

“Good night.”

I sat back down at my desk, but the concentration I mustered earlier had fled. It was late anyway, so I packed up and headed out.

I loved nights like this. The moon was the barest sliver, its white gleam a smile in the sky. No clouds obscured its amusement at the world.

I stopped at a mini market that was open almost twenty-four seven and bought several packs of jelly beans. Then I took the telestation closest to my private entrance to Lake Reynard. The water lapped a gentle rhythm against the shore and I set my bag down and took off my blazer and shoes before approaching the water.

I dipped my foot in and whispered, “Nellie,” but the thing that for sure got her attention was when I tossed a single jelly bean, green apple flavor, her favorite into the distant dark. I didn’t hear the splash.

Nellie’s head popped up several yards out and I waved. I took several more steps into the lake and she bobbed closer too.

“How are you?” I asked.

She let out a burble.

“That’s good,” I held up the jelly beans, “I got you two packs.”

Nellie slapped a tentacle on the surface of the water with enthusiasm, and I tossed a couple beans into her gaping, tooth-filled maw.

When she finished her snack I hugged her slippery slimy head and wished her good night.