Acid and Flannel

Flannels Killian held his head down in defeat. His wrists were cuffed behind his back, being helped up the steps to the police station. His nemesis, Acidity, had finally defeated him. It was hard for him to accept it, given how stealthy her attack was. She was wearing what Killian would have described as a bright yellow one-piece swimsuit and a lime green fanny pack. It was ridiculous. She stood out, yet he never saw her coming. 

They walked into the station with thunderous applause. Officers were high-fiving her as she went by, giving her a true hero's welcome. It was a celebration of justice served. She ruffled her prisoner's wild brown hair and brought him into the hall going to the cells. The noise was brought down as the door closed behind them, giving them some privacy. 

"Did you hear that applause? You sure are a popular one," Acidity said in a peppy voice. 

"I don't think they were clapping for me."

"Agree to disagree." She ruffled his hair again and took a deep breath near his head. 

Killian rolled his eyes. He always figured heroes got off on basking in their own accomplishments. It was the reason he became a villain in the first place. To chop down their egos like they did his axe throwing business. His walk down the empty hall would have been a deafening reminder of his failure to see his plan through, if not for her constant comments. 

"Have you been working out?" She asked, squeezing his bicep.

He scoffed. "Clearly not enough."

"Oh, I wouldn't say that."

Killian cocked his head, confused by her tone. It sounded like she had an ulterior motive. Was she trying to make him feel better about going to prison? Maybe turn him into some informant? It would take more than a few compliments to do that.

"What game are you playing?"

"Game?" Acidity asked in a playful voice. "Lately it's been Haley's Wild Adventure. I'm on level—"

"You know what I'm talking about." He rattled his cufflinks. "This."

"We're just talking. No game…unless you want to play one with me?"

"I'll pass."

She suddenly threw him against the wall. Acidity was so close to him, he felt her fanny pack press against his lower back. It caught Killian off guard, seeing as she was not so forceful the entire way here. Her hands ran from his upper thigh down to his leg and stopped at his boot. Lifting up the hem of his pants, she retrieved his hidden throwing knife.

"I thought there was something a bit too sexy about your walk."

"There isn't anything sexy about my walk," Killian said in defiance. 

"I'll be the judge of that."

Acidity pulled him off the wall and played with the knife in her hand. She walked in front of him, twirling and flipping the knife. As Killian watched her dazzling performance, he looked for the right moment to attack. He found that moment when she tossed the blade toward the ceiling and charged her with his shoulder. The tackle knocked them both to the ground, but that was as far as it went. She held him in a bear hug and the knife clattered harmlessly next to them. 

"Now you want to play a game? I like it!" Acidity smiled.

Killian was dumbfounded by her unquenchable cheeriness and asked the only question that came to mind. "Are you flirting with me or something?"

"How much more obvious do I have to be?"

Killian recoiled as far as he could in his position to get a better look at her. She licked her lips and relaxed under him. He was so confused.

"Why? Why me?"

"Where do I begin? You're cunning, handsome, and always playing hard to get. Not to mention, entrepreneurial. I heard you used to run a business near Hero's Inc."

"That was until heroes like you destroyed it."

"They did?" Acidity loosened her grip on him and her face turned to concern. She genuinely had no idea and Killian was riled up enough to tell her. It was a story he wanted to tell under triumphant circumstances, but these would have to do. 

"It was on our final tournament night. I was facing off against the reigning champion, Pablo Guerrero. The place was packed with people and all was going well. We were throwing our fifth throw of the game when a 'hero' threw one of my patrons in the path of our game. My competitor split that guy's head open."

Acidity was solely focused on him, hearing the pain in his story. She wanted to say something, but knew he needed to finish. 

"People ran in terror and my business reputation was dying by the second. No one was going to come to an axe throwing place where someone died. I knew the guy who got killed and honestly, he probably had it coming based on what I knew of him, yet his death was not enough for that hero. He went into a rage, ranting about how he should've been the one to kill him and burned my entire business to the ground."

"I–didn't know…"

"Apparently no one does. Hero's Inc. swept it under the rug and the insurance company gave me a lousy payout. I was filled with rage and a worthless lot, so I put it all into my new endeavor. Making those heroes pay for what they did."

"Do you know who it was?"

Killian shook his head. Acidity felt the anger slowly leave him and turn to despair. She had an uncontrollable urge to help him, even if he was a villain. Acidity wiggled out from under him and helped him up.

"Can you just take me to my cell already? I won't fight you anymore."

Acidity picked up the knife and brought him to the T intersection at the end of the hall. One way led to the jail, the other to the exit. The sign stared back at them, making it impossible to not know which way to go. She gave it a good long look before taking him to the right…to the exit. 

"What are you doing?" Killian said, trying to look behind to see her face as she forced him forward. 

"I'm taking you to your cell."

"The cells are back that way."

"Not yours," she said and kicked open the door. Outside there was a row of police vehicles in the motor pool. She uncuffed him and pointed to the passenger side door of the nearest vehicle. "Get in."

He didn't protest and got inside. Once she was in, she turned the key already in the ignition and handed him his throwing knife. Killian was conflicted. His enemy was handing him the weapon he was going to kill her with. How could she be so trusting to a criminal like him?

He lurched back in his seat as she floored it. "Why are you doing this?"

"It might come as a shocker to you, but I actually like you."

"You do?"

"Yes! How many different ways do I have to say it?"

"You're willing to throw away your life as a hero for me?"

She shrugged and took a hard turn out of the lot. "What can I say, I've got a thing for men who throw axes. And that 'hero' won't be brought to justice with you behind bars, now will he?"

Killian smiled. He had not expected his nemesis to be so merciful to him. His heart softened, finally finding someone who actually cared about his tragedy. The lights of the city flashed by as she sped through the city and his view of her changed forever.

"So, what was that game you were playing at home again?"

"Haley's Wild Adventure!" she beamed, glancing at him for a second. 

"Does it live up to Acidity's Wild Adventure?"

Acidity swerved to avoid another car and pulled into an alley before throwing it in park. "You can call me, Acey."

Killian leaned over the center column, moving in closer to her. "Well, Acey, now that you have accepted my quest, how can I repay you for your bravery?"

"I can think of a few ideas."

Their heads moved closer at a steady pace, each wondering when the other would go for it. Acidity could only wait so long before her impatience got the best of her. Their lips collided and her hands pulled him closer. She mauled his face like a hungry lioness, hoping to get every last bit from him. Killian unwillingly protected himself from her frenzy, accidentally flicking on the lights and sirens when trying to keep his balance. It brought her back to the reality at hand. They were in a stolen police car and drawing attention. She ripped her lips away from him and kicked open her door.

"Let's get out of here. My place is more comfortable anyways," Acidity said.

"Led the way."

***

A Date With A Nemesis

"And if you refuse…wait…what did you say?" Manderand asked from the ledge of the building in order to stand taller than her. His black trenchcoat stopped flapping in the wind, as if it too was shocked by his nemesis's words.

"I said I would love to go on a date with you," Captain Hearts said in a cheery, high pitched voice. Her signature heart shaped red cape waved in the wind.

Manderand blinked several times. He thought it would be a punishment for her, but she seemed enthusiastic. There must be an angle she was playing. 

"You're screwing with me, right?"

She shook her head. "Nope."

Manderand framed his face with his hands, bringing attention to his marred face from several battles with the deep fryer. Co-workers can be cruel like that. "Have you not seen my face?" They don't call me, The Burn Victim, for nothing."

"I like a man with scars. It tells a story I haven't heard yet. And you have a lot," she said and licked her lips.

He had no idea what to say to that. She was the first woman to not find his face hideous. Hell, even his own mother thought he was gross. Yet standing below him was a petite young woman, who looked ready to devour him instead of fight him. 

"Don't you even want to hear what I am planning?"

"I do! Where are you taking me? I love seafood, but I am up for anything!"

Manderand stepped down from the ledge, partially in defeat. "I meant about my diabolical plan for the city…"

"You can tell me all about it at dinner. So, where and when?"

"Um… tonight?"

"Then I better get dressed. Pick me up at seven. 505 Squirrel Avenue North." Captain Hearts blew him a kiss and skipped away to the rooftop door.

"Captain Hearts," Manderand called to her before she left. 

"Call me April," she said, sending back a flirty smile. "I'll see you later."

She left him on the top of the building with his thoughts, which were all upside down. He expected this to be a tooth pulling experience, yet she was more than willing. A part of him wanted to believe she was genuinely interested, but the realistic part of his brain screamed it was a trap. She is leading me into a trap at her place, if it even is her place. What kind of superhero would give their address to their nemesis?

"Oh, I'm not letting you get out of this date that easily."

***

Manderand arrived at the place. 505 Squirrel Avenue North. It was five thirty and he was sure he beat her there, since he took his quadcopter. No better way to travel around the city, including the suburbs. He parked it out of sight, so his position wouldn't be given away and went up to the simple, one floor brown house. The roof and siding was brand new and lawn gnomes littered her freshly cut lawn. He walked up the cobblestone path to her front door, the whole time feeling he was being watched. Little did he know, the gnomes indeed turned in place, facing him at all times. 

He tried the handle and the door opened. It creaked as he watched the door slowly open to reveal an empty hall with a hardwood floor.

"I bet there is a trip wire somewhere," he said to himself, but after his search came up empty, he went inside. 

To his right, there was a small living room with a love cushion in the shape of a heart. The cushion faced a small TV on a wooden TV stand. All the Muppet DVDs were on display below the TV and a few romantic comedies. He had to admit, puppets were pretty awesome, even if he was more of an Elmo fan. Continuing on, the kitchen was to the left with chinese takeout boxes filling the sink. Otherwise, it was all clean and average looking. 

"How does a tiny thing like her put away all that food?" Manderand said and noticed something skit across the hall into the open door ahead. "I saw you. Come on out."

There was no response. His heart thumped in his chest, moving closer to the partially opened door. He fumbled for his lighter, which was his main weapon of choice. Flame always listened to him as long as it got started first. He clicked his lighter on and the flame followed the motion of his other hand. He pointed his hand like a blade and the flame followed suit, bending in the same direction.

Manderand got to the door and took a deep breath. I'm going to get you.

He jumped into the room and an orange tabby cat sprung off the pink and white bed. Its meows showed frustration with his interruption. Those same meows also startled him, causing him to shoot fire at her lamp. It came in like a dart, turning the lamp shade ablaze immediately.

"Oh, shit!" Manderand rushed over to put out the fire. He blew on and swatted at it, but it still kept spreading. He ripped it from the outlet and lifted it away from the rest of her bedroom. His eyes scanned her room, trying to find a way to put out the fire. His house never had this problem. Almost nothing was easily flammable and he made sure to have plenty of water around. Here though, it was a fire paradise. Everything was flammable. Then he spotted the bathroom. "Perfect!"

He hucked the lamp into the toilet and it shattered into pieces, mostly all collecting in the bowl. The crash echoed out of the room, but he was relieved the fire was out. Nothing screamed "I was in your house" more than a house burned to the ground. Manderand made short work of the extra pieces and flushed down the evidence of his presence. He washed his hands, when he heard the outside door close. 

"Muffin, I'm home," Captain Hearts announced to her cat. 

Manderand shut off the sink. She was home sooner than he thought and he hadn't found her trap yet. He needed to hide. His head turned to the shower. No, she will get cleaned up here. He tip toed out of the bathroom room and heard her footsteps in the hall. There was no time to waste, so he sprinted as quietly as he could to the open closet and closed it. The light shined through the narrow slats in the closet door. It made him feel exposed, but he was confident his hiding spot would hold up. He turned one of the slats up so he could time his escape. 

On the bed, he saw Captain Hearts hugging her cat, oblivious to his presence.

"Oh, Muffin. I am having the best day today! You won't believe what happened!" Captain Hearts said. 

"Meow," Muffin said.

"He asked me out. Can you believe it? Me! It took all my strength not to kiss him," she said and laid back on the bed. "I promise I played it cool. You should've seen me."

"Meow."

"You're right. I need to get dressed. But what should I wear?" she asked her cat and sat up. "I can't wear this. I don't want him thinking of work. What do you think he finds desirable?"

"Meow."

"Something different. Okay… maybe purple! Yeah, purple will work." She sprung up from the bed and skipped to the closet. 

Manderand didn't know what to do. There was nowhere to go and he couldn't fight his way out. All this time, there was a woman out there interested in him, but he was about to torpedo it by being found in her closet. He closed his eyes, not wanting to see her reaction. 

The left closet door opened and she snatched a purple evening gown from her wardrobe, completely unaware that a few inches away was her date for the evening. If Manderand could let out a sigh of relief, he would have. Too bad she was still within ear shot as she slipped out of her hero outfit. Manderand didn't dare look. He already violated her privacy once today.

Captain Hearts's little feet slapped against the floor of her bathroom and the sound of running water leaked into the bedroom. It was his cue to get out while he still could. Manderand did a quick once over of the room and scrambled to leave before he was spotted.

"Meow!" Muffin screeched as Manderand accidentally stepped on its tail. 

"Muffin, what's wrong?"

Manderand's eyes got big and he sprinted out of the room. His desperation made him clumsy, causing him fall. He crawled back to his feet and got to the door when her voice sailed through the air once again.

"Manderand?" Captain Hearts said, standing in the hallway with only a long white towel around her chest. Water dropped from her wet hair onto the floor. "You're early."

Manderand turned to face her, thinking she must not have noticed him running to the door, given his response. "I… hope that is okay. I noticed your door was open and–"

"Of course. I was just getting ready. Make yourself comfortable."

Manderand pretended to close the door and sat down on the loveseat. The little beads made a waterfall sound of comfort he had never heard before. His eyebrows raised at the pleasant surprise, but he fell out of his seat when he heard her voice next to him. 

"I'm ready!" Captain Hearts said, smiling ear to ear. 

He gazed upon her and time stopped in her presence. The dazzling purple gown commanded his attention, pairing nicely with her white flats. Her jet black hair shined from still being wet. 

"Woah, you look… great," he said, wondering how she got dressed so quickly.

"Thanks!"

"I feel a bit underdressed…"

"I didn't realize you wore anything other than trenchcoats," she said more as a matter of fact. 

Well, shit. I guess I don't. How have I never noticed that? "Still, you look so nice and I–"

She put her finger over his lips. Her smile and eyes were gentle as she looked into his eyes. "You look great. I wouldn't have you any other way."

It was the first time he had been touched in years, let alone by hands as soft as hers. People always gave him a wide berth, but she was face to face with him. His grotesque face didn't cause her to vomit or rush to the bathroom to rub off whatever she touched. Instead, she almost seemed to struggle to take her finger away, lingering for a few seconds. 

Manderand's heart fluttered, fully believing she was interested in him. He had to make this date one they would never forget. Lucky for him, he actually planned a good one. 

"Do you like to fly?"

***

"Woohoo!" Captain Hearts screamed with her fists in the air. She sat behind Manderand with her bare legs tangled around his waist as a makeshift seatbelt. They were flying well above the tallest building in the city. "Can you do a barrel roll in this thing?"

Manderand smirked. "Can I? You better hold on tight."

She put her arms around his chest and rested her chin on his shoulder. Her breath smelt like cherry candies and she whispered into his ear. "I'm ready when you are."

He turned the joysticks and the entire vehicle flipped over. Her hair fell straight down for a second or two as she looked in awe of the city lights below. It was a sight she had never seen before. Then gravity started to take hold. They descended fast as the props began to fail one by one.

"Uh oh," Manderand said, moving the sticks and tapping on several buttons on the front console.

Captain Hearts didn't respond, clinging tighter as they began accelerating toward the lights. Manderand ignored the constriction of his muscles, frantically trying to get his flying machine going the proper direction. The props spun again, but it only accelerated their descent. Manderand had exhausted his flying options and with the buildings getting closer, he had only one option left. He slapped the big red button off to the right and a parachute came shooting out the back. Captain Hearts screamed from the sudden loud ejection, but their worries were about to end.

The parachute caught the air and jerked them up, turning their dramatic fall into a glide reminiscent of floating from a cloud. Captain Hearts was still tightly clung to Manderand, burrowing her face into his neck, shaking uncontrollably.

"April, it's okay. The parachute deployed."

"Parachute?" she asked, opening one of her eyes. Once she realized they weren't going to suffer a grizzly death, her body relaxed and lifted her head up. "Heh… would you look at that?"

Manderand didn't know what to say or do next. His little stunt stranded them in the air for the next few minutes. It was easier when he was flying. He didn't have to talk if he didn't want to. And at the restaurant, there would be food in his mouth to buy him time to think. Here, there was nothing but gusts of wind. Thankfully, Captain Hearts made it easier for him.

"It is beautiful up here."

"Yeah… it is…"

Captain Hearts let out a relaxing sigh. "Thanks for taking me up here. I always wanted to see the city from the clouds."

"Really?"

"Yep. If I could, I would always be up here," she said and rested her head against him.

"You know, you didn't have to be a superhero. You could've been a pilot."

"And crash land inside one of these lovely buildings. I don't think so." Captain Hearts laughed along with Manderand, both imagining her flying through the Hero's Inc building. "Besides, who would stop you from destroying the city?"

"I think you have already done that."

Captain Hearts turned to face him, grazing his skin with her nose. Manderand thought for sure she would recoil away from him, but she didn't.

"Can I ask you a personal question?"

He shrugged. "Sure."

"Why did you become a villain?"

He looked down at the ground. "I guess ever since… this." He gestured to his face, ashamed of his appearance.

"What happened?"

"I was working at Delano's Hamburgers."

"The one on fifth and grand?"

"Yeah. There were some coworkers who thought it would be funny to dunk me in the deep fryer."

Captain Hearts squeezed him. "No. Are you serious?"

"I wish I wasn't." Manderand could feel her concern. His mother was like that initially… until the bandages came off. "After that, I tried to get justice through the system, but none of them served a second in jail. The worst thing that happened to them was they got fired, but so did I. Delano couldn't afford to have his burger reputation ruined by a freak like me. I guess my mom had the same idea. Left me soon after as well."

She moved her left hand to turn his face toward her, ensuring they made eye contact. "You didn't deserve that."

"And you don't deserve this."

"What do you mean?"

"I forced you on a date. Threatened to burn the whole city to the ground if you didn't. You deserve someone more kind and attractive..."

"First off, you didn't force anything. I never even knew about your plan until just now. I wanted to go out with you. And second, you are attractive. Maybe not to everyone, but to me you are."

"You're just saying–"

He didn't get to finish his sentence before she laid a passionate kiss on his mangled lips. Manderand didn't know what to do as he felt her tongue creep into his mouth. It was enchanting to him. A simple touch was already more than enough, but a kiss turned his mind to mush. He wanted to stay in that moment forever, but gravity had other ideas. Their bodies jostled as their vehicle landed on top of one of the taller buildings. Their tender kiss was over, but not how they felt about each other.

She smiled at him and caressed his cheek. "I hope I wasn't too forward. I've been waiting to do that for a long time."

"No… it was nice."

"Just nice?" she teased.

"No! Better than nice. It was–it was–"

He was interrupted once again by her laughter. "You know, you're cute when you're flustered."

Manderand did a quick glance around the top of the building. "Well, what do you say we get out of here and I take you out for dessert?"

"Or maybe we make out up here for a few more minutes and then go pay those burger flipping bastards a visit?" she asked and spun around his waist to face him.

"Woah, I thought you were a hero?" Manderand asked, smiling at the idea of spending more time on her lips.

"I think it would be a pretty heroic act to get justice for my boyfriend."

"I'm your boyfriend now? Wow, you certainly move fast."

"Moving slow is overrated," Captain Hearts said and began sucking on his neck.

"Can't argue with that."

And thus began their passionate make out session. She ended up rolling them out of the vehicle and on to the rock laden floor. Neither cared about what lied beneath them or who was watching them from an adjacent building. A woman in a yellow jumpsuit had her binoculars trained on the new couple and tapped the earpiece in her ear.

"Boss, I have a recording you're gonna want to see."

***

A Letter to Cassie

Dear Cassie,

Today did not go well. I thought since Dad had broken out of prison again and Mom was on leave for 'accidentally' throwing a villain through the Mayor's office, that it would be nice to invite them both over for dinner. Mom wouldn't try to capture Dad and I would distract Dad with my famous spaghetti. It was a recipe for a successful dinner...or so I thought.

"Why is he here?" Mom asked. 

Dad was sitting at my little oak table, munching away on a breadstick. He didn't pay her any mind, enjoying the warm bread in his grubby fingers.

"Mom, I invited him,” I said, pouring out the excess water into the strainer.

"You do know he is supposed to be in prison right now," Mom said, taking off her purple jacket. 

"Shhh. Don't tell anyone," Dad said, reaching over for another breadstick. 

"I don't care. I just wanted us to have a nice family dinner like we used to," I said. 

Dad leaning back in his chair. "Claire is right. It has been awhile."

"That's because—" Mom said before I grabbed her by the shoulder, pulling her into my kitchen. 

"Mom, why don't you put on the food."

Mom raised her eyebrows at me but I didn't back down. She knew I wanted this to work and it wasn't going to work if she was going to keep trying to fight with Dad. I grabbed the saucepan off the burner that was loaded with some hefty meatballs. That sauce was either going on the food or her. It was up to her. 

She chose correctly and took the spaghetti over to the table. I was so excited that we were finally sitting down for a real meal for a change. Mom started dealing out the spaghetti, but couldn't resist trying to rile Dad up. 

"So Robert, what have you been up to lately?" Mom asked, knowing whatever he said was going to make him look bad in front of me. 

"You should know. You are my biggest fan," Dad said, pointing his fork at her. 

"I didn't lock you up." Mom plopped a huge helping on Dad's plate. "This time."

"I noticed. That's why I had to break out," Dad said and moved closer to Mom. "Did you know they don't even offer conjugal visits?"

Mom splashed the sauce on his pasta. "Not like you were going to get any."

"Why don't we change the subject? I just got a new job," I said, not wanting it to escalate any further. 

"That is wonderful! Where are you working now?" Dad asked.

"I am working at Hendrick Drinks. I just started as their logistics manager last week."

"Logistics. I knew you were a smart cookie." Dad was smiling ear to ear. Mom however was not as pleased. 

"Hendricks Drinks. I was hoping you would aim for something bigger," Mom said. 

"They are the fifth largest in the city. And with my help, they could be the best."

"That's my girl!" Dad said, being the only one supporting me. 

Mom didn't continue, choosing to eat her meal instead. It was odd that she wasn't proud of me. Sure, it wasn't like being a superhero, but it was a good promotion for me. I dropped it and we ate our meal in relative silence before Mom felt guilty enough to say something nice. 

"These meatballs are the best I have ever had," Mom said.

"I remember you saying that about mine once upon a time," Dad remarked with a sinister grin.

"Since when did you cook?" I asked, wondering how I never knew this. 

"Your father is a pig. He has never cooked a day in his life," Mom said and Dad laughed. 

I felt pretty ill after that. Resisting the urge not to puke on the table became a heroic task. Whatever possessed Dad to say that was beyond me.

"I don't recall those being the words you used. It was something like—"

"Please don't finish that sentence," I begged.

"Look what you did, you grossed out our daughter," Mom said.

"Sorry Claire. I forget who I am around sometimes," Dad said. 

"Yeah, a bunch of low life scum." 

"Not all of them."

"All of them."

"Would you say that about me?"

"Without hesitation."

Dad stood up from the table and Mom matched him. They both stared at each other like two gunslingers ready for a duel. If I didn't do something, all my work was going to be for nothing. 

"Please, Dad. She didn't mean that," I said.

Mom didn't break eye contact with Dad. "Yes, I did."

"You really think that lowly of me?" Dad asked. 

"Lower."

"Tell me how you really feel," Dad said, raising his voice. "Come on!"

"You might as well pulled the trigger that night."

"I tried to stop him."

"You just called the police. You could have done something."

"I am doing something now!"

"Killing murders doesn't make up for that."

"And what does? Throwing them in jail. If I'm any indication, that doesn't work. You need to put them in the ground."

"Maybe I should?" Mom questioned to herself. 

"Come on then. Try it on for size!" Dad egging her on. 

The next second I know, Mom tackled Dad out of the window. They pummeled each other in my front yard until they were both blue in the face and collapsed next to each other. The police came and it was a whole scene. They took Dad back to jail and Mom left without even offering to clean up. I just wanted one day where our family was all back together, but ever since we lost you that hasn't been the case. We have all been coping in our own way, but it feels like when you died, so did Mom and Dad. I guess what I'm saying is...I miss our parents. I miss you. Please watch over them and if you have any pull up there with the big man himself, let him know I could use some help. I don't want to lose them too.

Until we meet again.

Your Loving Sister,

Claire

***

Being a ‘Villain’ is Hard

The howling of the wind roared from the entrance until the door slammed itself shut. Sakari kicked off her boots and hung her wet bomber jacket on the gold coat hanger next to her.

"Lanney? Are you home?"

Silence reigned, minus the low hum of the refrigerator in the next room. Sakari shook out her brown hair like a dog, unconcerned about getting water everywhere. She ran her fingers over the one sleek streak of hair that was dyed red. It was always smooth to the touch and seemed to never dry out, much to her relief. 

Sakari walked down the clean wood floor to the second room on her left. It was a small library and her favorite room in the house. Two of the three walls were filled with books from top to bottom. The third wall was blocked by a grey loveseat and matching lamp. Sakari could still see the vague imprints of where they would both sit for a quiet night reading together. She lingered for a moment by the loveseat before making a beeline to the bookshelf.

She pulled on the top of a green hardcover book that said, 'Shadow's Cave.' Taking one distinct step back, she stood like a diver ready to take the plunge. And plunge she did. The floor opened up beneath her and she was swallowed by darkness. It lasted a few seconds before she landed on a material with the consistency of warm dough. Her legs sunk into it, preventing any serious injury from the fall. She pulled herself out with ease, grabbing on to a silver railing to her right in the darkness.

Once she was out and over the railing, the fluorescent lights from above turned on. Their hum was louder than the refrigerator, but at least it provided light. The cement floor was littered with loose paper and a knife was hurdling in the air toward her. Sakari dropped to the ground, rustling the paper beneath her.

"Lanney, it's me!" Sakari said.

At the end of the room, a woman in a black trenchcoat was leaning against a large workbench. Her head was down on the table, with one arm trying to shield the light from her eyes. In her free hand was another blade.

"Sakari?" Lanney asked, lowering her knife welding arm.

Sakari got up and kicked some paper away. "Who else would know about your secret lair?"

"I—I don't know. I just didn't hear you come in," Lanney said, reaching into her coat and putting on a black pair of goggles.

"Your door was unlocked. Again."

"I really need to get that lock fixed," Lanney said, turning to face Sakari. 

Sakari smirked and left out a light chuckle. The black goggles made Lanney's head look small and reminded her of a cheesy villain from a movie they both liked.

"What?"

"Nothing, Sexy," Sakari said.

"Har har," Lanney said, rocking her head left and right. "I am testing a new contact lens for better vision in the dark. Can't have light interfering with it at this stage."

"Really trying to live up to your name."

"My night vision is getting worse. Last week when I bumped into you during our 'fight', that was a pure accident. I never saw you."

Sakari put her hand on Lanney's shoulder. "To be fair, I never saw you either."

"Yeah, but that's what concerns me. What if I needed to do something dangerous in the dark? I could have hurt an innocent person, or worse, you?"

"That's why we coordinate this. So no one gets hurt."

"But you don't realize the prep that goes into this. You have it easy. You show up when I tell you and be the hero. I plan the logistics. How many people will be there to witness it, where and when to spring my traps, and even what others see is all up to me," Lanney said, removing Sakari's hand. "I spent hours after our fight hacking into the camera system to make sure no one saw that I stumbled into you."

"Why? Villains can make mistakes."

"Not Dark Shadow. Not under the cover of my own nightshade. At best it would make me look incompetent and at worse people would know it is all a ruse."

"If there really is that much to it, is there anything I can help with then?"

Lanney smiled. "You can start with helping me clean up this floor."

"What did you do here?" Sakari said with the paper crunching under her feet as she moved.

"This is the paperwork. Being a villain has lots of expenditures."

Sakari picked up an invoice for a home gym installation. "Five thousand dollars for a home gym?"

"It takes a lot to maintain this," Lanney said, gesturing to herself.

"I've never seen this gym."

"You haven't seen a lot of my place. It's bigger than you think."

Sakari bent down picking up more paper. "What's next, you're going to tell me you have a pool for sharks?"

Lanney was silent, searching through the scattered papers for a specific one.

"You aren't serious? Really?" Sakari said.

"I don't know what you are talking about," Lanney said, before she lunged at a specific crumpled piece of paper. 

Sakari grabbed it at the same time and they wrestled for control of it before the paper tore into. Lanney got the half she didn't want.

"Shark pool. It's even called that," Sakari said, pointing to the torn paper.

"A proper villain has at least one. Or a gator moat. I'm still waiting on the sharks though."

"We are going to have to have a talk about your spending hab—"

Sakari's comment was cut short by the sound of the trap door opening. Paper parted the floor as Lanney and Sakari rushed to and leaned over the railing, looking up to see what triggered the trap door. Above them was a man kicking his legs while he hung on for dear life.

"Stay where you are. I'm coming up," Sakari said, climbing up on the railing. 

The man grunted and lifted himself up. He looked down at the women for a brief moment before he ran off. Sakari sprung off the railing and up through the opening, doing a front flip into the library. To her surprise, the man was still in the room with a hardcover book in his hand. The smack of the book against her face paled in comparison to the snap from her nose.

She fell back and down into the trap door. Going in at an angle, she braced herself for hitting something hard. Instead her body was jerked in mid-air and she felt the cold of Lanney's coat before landing safely in the dough like substance. They both laid in the strange dough-like vat, blood leaking from Sakari's nose.

"Are you okay?" Lanney asked, holding Sakari in her arms.

"I think so," Sakari's voice came out nasally and snorted some blood out of her nose.

"Is that blood? What happened up there?"

"Whoever was up there wanted me to read your favorite book. I think I need to show him how to open it next time," Sakari said with a chuckle. 

"He hit you with a book?"

"Hardford's Revenge. My blood probably makes it look more sinister now." 

"That's not funny," Lanney said, hitting her. 

"Sorry," Sakari said, but her smile said otherwise. 

They didn't say anything for a few moments, watching the trap door slowly close above them. Lanney wiped some of the blood from Sakari's face. "Do you think he recognized you?"

"I don't know. Do you think that will be a problem?" Sakari asked, turning her head toward Lanney the best she could. 

"My house isn't that big of a secret. And if certain people knew you were here—"

"Say no more. I'll track him down."

"Just be careful. I don't want you to get hurt."

"Relax. You act like I'm going to run into Jaster or something," Sakari said, trying to get up but Lanney arms locked her in place. "Lanney, the bad guy is getting away."

"You can give him a few minutes. Make him think he got away."

Sakari relaxed in Lanney's arms and sighed. "I guess a few minutes won't hurt."

***

Forbidden Friendship

The wind gusted, drying Lanney’s wet hair. Her soaked black trenchcoat with orange trim kept her light frame grounded, sinking her boots into the gravel at her feet. She looked out from the top of the building at the sunset over the city. A hawk swooped above her head and Sakari dropped in behind her, rolling onto the gravel. She wore a brown bomber jacket and was clutching a white towel in her red padded gloves.

“I found you a towel,” Sakari said.

“Thanks, Red Feather,” Lanney said, unmoved from her spot.

Sakari draped the towel over her shoulders. “You can call me Sakari, you know.”

“Sorry. I’m just so used to calling you by your hero name in public.”

“It’s not a problem. I’m sorry about throwing you in the river.”

Lanney did not say anything, continuing to look out at the vast city below them.

“The city sure looks beautiful from here. Do you come up here often?” Sakari asked, trying to fill the silence.

“Yes. It gives me hope.”

“Hope?”

“That one day I don’t have to do this anymore. Be a supervillain. Be Dark Shadow.”

“You could always join Hero’s Inc. I know I would be thrilled to have you on our team.”

Lanney gave her a grim smile. “I appreciate the thought, but I have already tried. They said no.”

“No? Why?”

“They said I am too marketable as a supervillian. Our rivalry is too iconic. Must make them a lot of money to have us two fight all the time.”

“This can’t be right. They wouldn’t do that.”

“That isn’t even the worst part. They said if I don’t keep coming up with new diabolical ideas they will send Jaster after me.”

“Jaster? But he is retired.”

Tears started welling in Lanney’s eyes. “I almost killed someone today.”

“But you didn’t. I was there to stop you.”

“But what if one day you aren’t. What if one day…”

Sakari hugged her while Lanney cried in her chest. Lanney mumbled something incoherent.

“It’s going to be okay. I will always be here for you,” Sakari said.

Lanney slowly moved her head away and sniffled a few more times before speaking.

“You mean it?” Lanney said, wiping her eyes.

“Not only do I mean it. But how about from now on we coordinate your attacks. Make it more of a show. That way no one will get hurt.”

“What if Hero’s Inc. finds out?”

“It will be our little secret.”

Lanney gave Sakari another hug. Glad that someone was actually looking out for her. Unfortunately, so was someone else. On top of another building, a man in a yellow jumpsuit wearing headphones was pointing a listening device at them, recording their conversation. The man grinned and removed his headphones.

“Jaster’s gonna want to hear this.”

***