Read Sensation: A Superhero Novel Online
Authors: Kevin Hardman
Sensation: A Superhero Novel (22 page)
“And you picked up on that from Paramount.”
“I felt something along those lines, but…” I stared off to the side, unsure of how much to say.
“But what?”
I let out a long breath and looked Mouse in the eye. “He was a jerk and a bully. He’s not someone I would have ever called a friend or hung out with. But I just couldn’t believe he was
all
bad, because…”
I took another deep breath. “Because he’s my brother. Alpha Prime…” I trailed off, unable to finish.
He didn’t speak for a moment, then simply said, “I see.”
**********************************
I left Mouse’s lab feeling wretched about my entire existence. A long-lost father who finally put in an appearance. An evil half-brother who probably wants me dead. My life was nothing but a horrid bundle of overworked clichés. I was so lost in my own world, that I didn’t even notice Electra until she was almost on top of me.
I had seen her in passing over the past few days, but we hadn’t really had a chance to talk. Instead, on those few occasions when we were actually in close proximity, we had simply gone through the motions of exchanging perfunctory pleasantries and then gone our separate ways.
This encounter appeared to be going along the same lines, although extended by us engaging in some additional meaningless chitchat about the weather and whatnot. After that concluded, we both just kind of stood there, each essentially waiting on the other to say something material or worthwhile. When it appeared that that wasn’t going to happen, I took the next logical step.
“So,” I said, slowly meandering away, “I guess I’ll see you around.”
“Yeah,” she said unenthusiastically. “See ya.”
I’d taken maybe five steps when I heard her call out to me.
“Hey,” she said, closing the distance between us as I turned around, “a couple of us are going to that Super-Egos concert this weekend. I’ve got an extra ticket if you want to come.”
I smiled. “Why, Electra, are you asking me on a date?”
“No,” she said, giving me a playful punch on the shoulder. “I’m just trying to apologize for what happened last time…for shocking you and locking you in a nullifier cell.”
“And…?”
She rolled her eyes. “And to thank you for rescuing me when I was tied up.”
“In that case, I’d love to come.”
“Great!” she said, then added with a wink and a smile, “It’s a date.”
I grinned, suddenly gleeful at this happy turn of events. Sure, my life wasn’t perfect, and maybe it was riddled with clichés, but I had a funny feeling that with a little effort, I might really enjoy it.
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