It was any other day in Metro City, the sky was clear and the birds were chirping as I brought my bags to my car. My time at university was over and real life was beginning. My graduation had ended a few hours prior, my dad couldn't make it, some threat appeared on the other side of the city as the ceremony began.
My mom threw her arms around me, "I'm so glad you're finally done with school, I can't wait to have you back home for a while." Tears filled her eyes as she squeezed me tightly. She already had to deal with dad flying off every day and putting his life on the line, just imagining her stress of being away from her powerless son made me feel bad for moving on campus. "I got your room all prepped and there may or may not be a surprise waiting for you when we get home!"
She hopped in her car with some of my boxes and sped out the parking lot.
I couldn't help but look at the campus I was leaving one last time. I knew I wasn't a student anymore, but a piece of couldn't accept it. I wanted to walk down the halls one more time, I was even craving the horrible food at the dining hall. It all felt so still, as though if I didn't move, everything would stay the same.
I finally shook my head and got in my car. One deep breath and I turned the key to the ignition. As I rolled out of the parking lot my ties to the campus seemed to fade away as I got farther and farther.
My new life was starting today, time to be a real adult.
...
As I entered the driveway I heard the call of my mom from the kitchen window. As I got out she swung the door open holding a large cake with a bunch of candles decorating the top. "Congratulations Baby! Your father and I are so proud of you!"
"Haha, thanks mom. I see you couldn't wait to surprise me."
We went inside and we got our slices of cake as we turned on the tv to see what my dad was up to.
The news was playing the fight live, Heart-Man vs the villainess Slash. My mom immediately jumped up and turned the tv off. "Safe to say he has his hands full."
She went left the room for a moment to freshen up. She did this every time my dad had to fight Slash, the villain was ruthless. My dad told me they used to be friends a few years back but some heroes grow cold to the world. My mom never like to speak about her, the most I heard her say was Slash was young and naive. It also didn't help her outfit was a skin tight body suit, the news stations have gotten flack for showing her fights but ratings always go up through the roof when she appears.
I sighed as I turned on the tv again and lowered the volume so mom wouldn't hear.
Dad and Slash weren't to far from the house, it was strange they never fought in residential areas. As I kept watching I started recognizing the neighborhoods more and more.
"Hey Mom!"
~Rumble~
...
"Mom!"
"Yes de-"
The walls exploded as my dad was sent flying through the house.
He was so damaged he was bleeding all over and his suit was practically falling to pieces. "SASHA!" My dad screamed into the sky. "HOW DARE YOU ATTACK MY HOME! YOU WANT TO MAKE CHANGE FINE, BUT WE NEVER ATTACK EACHOTHERS LOVED ONES!"
A laugh came floating from the sky, "You think I care anymore Gyle, look at your kid, so scared. He is rather cute, maybe I'll keep him after I kill you and that bitch."
My dad turned to me, "Get your mom and run!"
Slash flew into him forcing my dad into the ground hard, causing an earthquake in the area.
"MOM!" I ran as the house continued to crumble around me, I flung the bathroom door open to see my mom crushed by the ceiling.
Gasping for breath I reached down, pulling, pulling, I wasn't strong enough to pull the debris from her. "Ruu-un" She said pushing my leg away with her free hand.
The ground began to shake again as I stepped back, I wanted to move forward but my body rejected my thoughts. Instead of going back inside I found myself running for the front door. I ran through the cloud of dust, not stopping till the sun clearly hit my face.
I pulled out my phone, dialing anyone for help.
...
After 30 minutes the paramedics finally arrived, they looked exhausted as they scavenged the home as quickly as they could. I directed them to the area my mom should have been. Being held back from entering the area one of the men walked into what was once the bathroom, only to exit out a minute later shaking his head.
"Charlie, call the coroner, we have another one."
I sank down to my knees, my mom dead, my family home destroyed.
~Rumble~
Another earthquake, I remembered my dad's exhausted and beaten appearance, I'd never seen him like that before.
I pulled out my phone and watched the news.
In the City square Slash stood above my dad, towering over his beaten body, she threw her hands in the sky laughing before flying into the sky.
"H-how?!" I threw my phone. "He never loses... never."
"He was always a big softy."
Slash sat next to me, her skin tight suit shredded, her muscles bleeding yet her composure was of bliss. She turned to me with a smile, her eyes a bright blue, her lips a sparkling red. She pulled her mask off causing her hair that was up like a pony tail to fall to the sides.
"You know we aren't that far apart in age, yet seeing you sit here and cry, you seem just like me when my parents died." She looked away, at the destroyed house. "If you had the chance you would kill me wouldn't you. I understand completely, but you aren't like me. Cry and cry and move on. Unless you want to die."
With those final words, she was gone.