2.01

Jimena’s departure had upset the team. Hunter had been the worst hit, taking a blow to his confidence as a leader and superhero.

Michael had told the trio to each take a short break before he had Jordana brought in to join the team.

Silas chose to return to school. Gauzelle hung out at the treehouse and played videogames and watched old horror movie marathons.

Hunter chose to stay at the treehouse as well but kept mainly to himself. He would sometimes join Gauzelle with the videogames, but mostly strolled the Primal Lands, exercising.

In the few days of downtime, Hunter had found Stampy and often played with him. The triceratops acted like an oversized, hyperactive dog.

After another day of hanging with Stampy, Hunter decided to walk the streets of Athena City. It was close to midnight. Hunter wore his superhero outfit underneath his clothes, the first time he had done so since Jimena left the team.

Even this late into the night, Athena City was bustling, the citizens rarely ever switched off. The neon lights glowed, the cabs honked, and people tried to sell stuff on the streets.

Hunter headed for a park. It was one he frequented a lot as a child with both parents. He had learned to ride a bike here. He hadn’t visited this place since his father had been killed.

Even though there was plenty of shadow in the park, it was well lit. Most people wouldn’t avoid cutting through the park if it was a shortcut.

There were a few people strolling along the footpath under the lampposts. Hunter kept his head down, staring at his feet as he walked along.

“Hey, what are you doing?” Hunter looked up and saw an elderly man laying on the ground, his walking stick snapped in two. Hunter noticed a silhouette disappear into the shadows of the darkness.

Hunter ducked out of the light and stripped down to his superhero costume. Hunter ran over to the elderly man and helped him up. The elderly man leant against the lamppost.

“They took my necklace. It has my and my late wife’s wedding rings on it. Please young man, get them back for me.”

“I’ll do my best,” Hunter replied. He took off into the shadows after the silhouette.

Hunter crashed through the bushes. Twigs slapped and scratched at him from all angles, but he pressed on.

Hunter’s foot snagged a vine and he hurtled forward, landing face first and coming into a clearing.

Hunter rolled onto his back and standing over him was a middle-aged man wearing ripped jeans and a torn t shirt. In one hand he brandished a knife and in the other, Hunter could see the necklace and the two rings.

“Allo allo,” the man taunted. He held the knife with the blade pointed downward. Hunter started to get up. “I wouldn’t trouble meself if I were you.” The man planted a foot on Hunter’s chest and pushed him back down. His strength belied his wiry build.

“Give me the necklace, and you won’t get hurt.” Hunter pushed against the foot, but the man pushed harder.

“Me, hurt? Yer the one that’s on the ground. Where I’m standing, you’ll get hurt.” The man pressed in harder with his boot, the pressure built on Hunter’s chest.

Hunter willed dust to gather around his hands.

“You got powers aye?” the man smiled. Hunter was shocked by the statement.

“How?” Hunter asked.

“Got me own don’t I. I can sense other powers. But that’s not all.”

“Oh yeah?”

“I can sense fear. Feed off it, grow stronger.” The man’s nostrils flared, and he breathed in heavily. “Yer scared.” The pressure of the boot against Hunter’s chest grew. Hunter winced in pain; he felt the dust drop away from his hands.

“What di-” a low growl rumbled from within the shadows. The crook eased pressure off Hunter’s chest and turned to the source of the noise.

Before the man had a chance to react, something hit the blade in his hand, knocking it out. Hunter saw it was an arrow.

A large furry creature crashed out of the shadows and tackled into the man, sending him into the ground. He landed face first and tried to get up, but the newly arrived bear pushed down into his back. His face sunk into the mud. The bear roared.

Another shadow leapt from the trees and pointed a nocked arrow at Hunter. They looked a little older than Hunter. A quarter of the head was shaved but the rest was tied back into a dreadlocked bun. Over the left ear was a large metal casing with a small antenna on top.

The archer made a few signs with their hands and it took Hunter a moment to realise they were communicating in sign language.

“I am Hummingbird, this is Rollo. Who are you?”

Hunter’s mind raced, trying to remember sign language. He had learnt it because his cousin was hard of hearing.

“I am Mite, hero in training under Michael.” The nocked arrow now pointed to the ground. The string was still taut, but at least it was no longer pointed at Hunter.

“Your signing is horrible”, Hummingbird silently giggled. “I can lipread if you aren’t comfortable with signing.”

“That man stole precious wedding rings of a recent widower back there.”

“I know, I saw. I was interested in seeing what you did. Do you have powers?”

“Yeah, I can manipulate dust particles.”

“Oi, shadd- oof!” Hunter looked over Hummingbird’s shoulder to watch Rollo slam the thief back into the ground.

“What are you gonna do with him?”

“I have already contacted the relevant people. They are on the way.”

The group waited for the super powered handlers to collect the crook. Hunter, Hummingbird and Rollo returned the rings to the grateful man.

“You need help here in the park tonight?” Hunter asked.

“Yeah, okay.” As the trio ducked back into the shadows, Hunter noticed a silvery glimmer of metal underneath Rollo’s fur.