1.02

“Hunter?”

“Can you come get me and Silas?”

“Where are you?” The disappointment in her voice was heavy.

“Police station downtown.”

“Why?” There had been a long pause before she responded.

“You know why,” Hunter and his mother had been arguing about him being a hero for months. The conversations always escalated into screaming matches.

“Mom?”

“Yeah, I’m coming. But you can wait for a while,” and with that, she hung up on him.

“How’d it go?” Silas asked. His lower lip started to quiver.

“About as well as we’d expect.” The two remained seated at the officer’s desk.

An argument had burst from the other side of the police station. Hunter looked over and watched as a man covered in scars was brought into the police station. He towered over everyone else.

“He looks scary,” said Silas. The two watched as the hulking man pulled away from the officers that brought him in. They tried in earnest to stop him from moving, but to no avail.

“You really think you can stop Rampage?” the man roared. With one great hand, he smacked away the officers who stood in front of him. He sent four more officers flying. Hunter was certain one of them died on impact.

More officers rushed the man and he continued to swat at them as if they were gnats. The officer who had brought Hunter and Silas in was back at her desk. She lifted the phone and screamed into it for help.

“Let us help,” said Hunter. She looked at him and shook her head.

“I can’t let you two do that. If something were to happen to you here, think of the paperwork. Just get down and stay hidden, don’t let him see your costumes.” She uncuffed the two and she motioned for them to get down low and stay. She watched the unfolding chaos from a distance.

“Do you really think we could do something?” Silas asked.

“From what I know of your powers, he shouldn’t be able to hurt you when inflated. Just don’t let him hit your head.” Silas’ face was covered in fear, but he radiated determination.

“Isn’t this the kind of thing you’ve always wanted to do?” Hunter asked.

“Yeah. But that guy's crazy." Silas slowly popped his head up from behind the desk they were hiding behind. Most of the police officers had been knocked out. The destruction was breathtaking.

The officer who had brought them to the police station was standing a little ways from the desk. She had her gun raised, with Rampage in her sights.

“Halt right there,” she called out. Rampage had started to punch through a wall. He ceased what he was doing and turned to face the officer. His face contorted into a creepy grin.

“You really think you can stop me with that?” He approached her slowly, knocking furniture and bodies aside.

“I’m warning you. Not another step closer.” Rampage stopped for a moment, goading her. He took another step and she fired a shot at him. The bullet hit him square in the chest and he didn’t even flinch.

“I told you it was useless. For that, I’m going to kill you.” He rushed at the officer who fired the rest of her clip. Each bullet exploded into his chest, but it didn't bother him. The police officer tensed, waiting for the impact, but none came.

She opened her eyes and looked up to see Rampage standing over her. As mad as a rabid dog, he was scaring her just by standing there. He was waiting to strike, he wanted a perfect moment.

“Coming through.” Silas had inflated himself to three times his normal size. He floated in toward Rampage, butt first. His head was facing the officer and he was mouthing for her to ‘run’. She looked confused but used the distraction of the chaos to get out of the warpath.

Hunter had a little dust left inside his vial and shot the particles out into Rampage’s nose. Rampage bucked and let loose a violent sneeze. Rampage’s head collided with Silas, sending the Balloon Boy flying.

Hunter stepped out from behind the desk and stared Rampage down. To Silas, he looked calm and confident, but on the inside, he was screaming in terror. Rampage towered over him and had set his sights on Hunter. A vein pulsed in Rampage’s neck and his face had turned to the colour of a tomato.

“Heh, you think you can stop me? You’re so puny.” The corner of Rampage’s mouth lifted, and Hunter saw the murderous look in his opponent’s eyes.

Silas bounced back through and into Rampage. His head pointed to the floor. Hunter took the moment to sweep his hand over the desk sticking the dust to his hand.

“Get out of here,” Rampage roared. He slapped Silas, sending him bouncing toward the other side of the room. He hit the wall, sailed back and hit Rampage from behind. Hunter stooped down and collected more dust and dirt with his other hand.

“Now I’m pissed off,” Rampage’s scream shattered windows. Hunter needed more dust; he didn’t have enough.

Rampage grabbed Silas and punched him square in the stomach. His stomach sunk, but Silas appeared to show no sign of pain. His body hurtled away again but this time his head struck the wall. He was out cold, and his body deflated.

“I need more dirt, and lots of it.” Hunter called to the officer. The officer threw a cigarette bin at him. He caught it and popped off the top, showing all the sand and ashes within. Hunter smiled.

Hunter plunged his hand in, grabbed as much as he could and just as Rampage came crashing toward him. Hunter released the dust, sand and ash and guided it into Rampage’s face and nose.

The giant stopped for a moment and looked at Hunter with surprise on his face. His body jerked as he fought off the urge to sneeze and so Hunter sent more particles flying his way.

A thunderous clap exploded from Rampage as he sneezed. He sneezed again and again. He fell onto his knees; his eyes were streaming in pain. A sneezing fit started, and he finally collapsed to the ground.

Hunter and the officer looked around at the carnage. The officer snapped into action and called the hospital. Hunter ran over to his friend who was stirring on the floor.

“Did you stop him?” Silas groaned. He rubbed the back of his head, relieved there was no blood.

“Yeah, I got him. Made him sneeze into oblivion. Might need a little medical attention but hopefully nothing too serious.”

“Two villains in one night. We’re on a roll.”

The ambulances arrived and tended to the wounded. The officer Hunter was sure was killed had survived the impact.

Hunter’s mother arrived shortly after, unfazed by the destruction. She bee-lined for Hunter and slammed her hands on his shoulders.

“What have I told you about being a hero?”

“Not to do it.” Hunter looked at the floor.

“Exactly. So why did you?”

“But mom, you and da-”

“Excuse me, ma’am? If not for your son and his friend, we’d probably all be dead. With a dangerous man out on the streets. You should be proud of…” the officer who had brought them to the station motioned to Hunter.

“Mite and Balloon Boy.”

“Right. Mite and Balloon Boy. They should really look into becoming sanctioned heroes. That way they’ll get the proper training and contacts to have them ready for the field.”

“No, no. My son will not get caught up in all those silly theatrics. Its too dangerous and I won’t allow it. And Silas, I’m sure your parents won’t be pleased with this if they found out.”

“Actually, they want me to become a hero. What, with my uncle becoming who he did and all.”

“And who exactly is your uncle?” the officer asked.

“That doesn’t really matter.” Silas looked nervous but the officer smiled.

“Well, you two are coming with me. Now.” Hunter’s mother turned on her heels and stormed out of the police station. Silas followed.

“Hey, kid. You did good. I hope you can become sanctioned; you’d be a great asset to the city of Athena. You’ve got potential.”

“Thanks. Stay safe.” Hunter plodded after his mother. He was exhausted, he’d seen enough trouble for one night. Besides, it was a school night.

Hunter, his mother nor Silas happened to notice the shadowy figure that was observing them from a rooftop across the street. The shadow smiled to themselves and disappeared into the night.