of fans ragging on poor Anna for being the pawn in a shoot-out in Grant Park, where Earthquake got severely injured trying to rescue her.
If only these heroes could stay single, I wrote, their dumb girlfriends wouldn’t cause so many distractions.
Well, hello there, irony.
“It’s new,” I tell him, still mentally slapping myself for letting her go. “We’ve, um, been trying to stay under the radar.”
He laughs. “Yeah? And how’s that going?”
“Great, really great,” I deadpan.
“Did either of you hear from Ryan or Ashleigh before they disappeared?” Bridgette asks. “Any clue as to where they were going, who they were fighting?”
“No, well, I mean, maybe?” Anna nervously claws at her chin. “He’s been so tired, you know, completely run ragged by all this. In and out, in and out—he’s barely been able to stop. Usually I make him a nice meal when he’s done with a fight—calorie loading and all that—but there hasn’t been time! He gets home, I start baking a chicken, and he’s gone before it’s done! Madness! The man needs his protein!”
Houston nods. “Yeah, I knew Ashleigh got called after Ryan went missing, but I wasn’t too concerned. She had a photo shoot scheduled for later that afternoon, so I knew she’d be gone a while. I didn’t know then that Matt was already captured too.” He hangs his head, wiping tired eyes with his palm. “Dammit, I hate this.”
“So what do we do?” I ask as three pairs of puzzled eyes turn my way.
“What do you mean?” Anna asks. “What do we do? Are we supposed to do something? Did I miss instructions?”
This woman’s nervous chatter is going to drive me up a wall. “I mean, we can’t just stand around while the people we care about are in danger, right?”
“Well…what do you have in mind, Claire?” Houston questions, eyebrow curved in confusion. “I mean, if they aren’t even calling in the other Warrior chapters, what are a bunch of non-supers supposed to accomplish?”
I look to Bridgette for support. She nods in encouragement. “I mean, I don’t know exactly, not yet….” I guess before I suggested action I should’ve had a makeshift plan in mind.
He pats my shoulder like I’m some pathetic dog. “I like where your head’s at, and believe me, I’d love to help Ashleigh. But the people here have access to technology and tools we can’t even dream of. If anyone’s going to get our heroes back, it’s them.”
I know this; of course I do. I’ve read every behind-the-scenes interview and expose ever published: Warrior Nation keeps their official specs on lock, but I’ve gobbled down every rescue mission log made public. They never talk about their weapons arsenal, since they don’t want villains replicating their tech, but every now and then they release peeks into how things get done. I’m not dumb: I obviously don’t have night-vision goggles or invisible drones, but having power isn’t the only way to help. Heart counts for something.
“I think, um, what we’re trying to say is, Warrior Nation knows what’s best,” Anna mumbles, wringing her hands. “Not that you don’t know stuff! I’m sure you’re totally smart and capable and strong! It’s just…none of us have any real powers? And Ryan always feels better when he knows I’m safe at home. Or here! Being safe is what matters.”
Bridgette looks down at her cast, turning her broken hand back and forth as if something heavy has just occurred to her. She and Matt are broken up; she doesn’t have to join this fight. Yet I really hope she does. I can’t do this alone. “I don’t think any of us should consciously throw ourselves into danger or anything, but let’s stay in touch, okay? If Ryan, Ashleigh, Joy, or Matt finds a way to get ahold of us, we need to let the others know right away.”
“Agreed,” Houston says.
“Yes! I can do that!” Anna echoes.
My heart sinks. Stay in touch? That’s it? We’re not going to help the Warriors with a stupid group text! How could you be part of this amazing organization, even tangentially, and not get involved? My whole life I’ve wanted to help others, to do something of worth, and now…here’s my chance. We need to take action! Do something! I’m about to argue that very point when Bridgette loops an arm through mine, pulling me out of the weird little Zen room.
“I can’t just do nothing!” I whine as she quickly ushers me down the hall.
“I know,” she says, green eyes hard. “Me neither.”