safe if he’s lurking about unchecked. I quickly text Anna, asking if she’s still there and if she’s seen him.
Yes I’m here but no I haven’t seen him why? Everyone is freaking out over that video! God I hope Ryan is okay. Are you? Matt’s face! I can’t! What’s going to happen
A gunshot fires outside, distracting me from reading the rest of her lengthy response. A series of car alarms awaken, and Claire and I rush to the window. The neighborhood takes to the streets, screaming and shouting in response to Matt’s video. Two men get in a fistfight; a trash can goes flying through a car window. With no heroes on patrol to stop nor save them, there’s no telling where this will lead.
“We gotta go; it’s not safe here,” I say as Claire nods in agreement, swallowing hard. “If Teddy’s inflicting violence on the heroes, there’s no telling what he’d do to the people at HQ. We need to get there, find out where the paper leads us, and tell Millie what we know.”
“But what about my mom? I feel like she’s going to barricade the door with her body before letting me out there.”
“We’ll bring her too—keep everyone together and safe. I’ll text Becca. We can’t stop now.”
Matt is counting on me.
MSNBC report
After a disturbing video of Chicago Warrior Nation hero Vaporizer was sent to the press, local residents have taken to the streets, erupting in a series of riots and demonstrations. While some of the gatherings have proved to be peaceful meetings of neighborly concern, many have dissolved into violence, especially in larger areas such as Grant Park, where thousands of Chicagoans have assembled.
Local police are urging residents to stay in their homes if possible until the situation can be contained, issuing a citywide curfew of 9:00 p.m.
At this time, Warrior Nation has not released any statement about the video or their next course of action. This silence is causing extreme unrest throughout the city.
We will continue our coverage as the story unfolds.
SIRENS WAIL OUTSIDE, EMERGENCY RESPONDERS trying to extinguish yet another fire. What are you doing, Warrior Nation? Why are you letting this happen? Despite my passionate pleas about needing to save the day, there’s a tiny, nagging part of me that agrees with Mom. Why do I have to be the one stepping in? How the hell did it come to this? As the weakest link in the Warrior food chain, there is absolutely zero reason why an intern should have to help, and yet here I am, getting ready to put it all on the line when Millie and friends are actively choosing not to get backup. Staying silent, when they should be keeping everyone in the loop, at least internally. I want to believe that something else is going on, that there’s a valid explanation as to why the organization I’ve spent my life worshipping is in a holding pattern, but doubt sinks its teeth in, gnawing away at my resolve.
I wish Blue Streak hadn’t retired. I wish he would do something, no matter the consequences.
Heading into the kitchen, I spot Mom standing over the sink, quietly sipping a pinot grigio while staring off into space. Her usually perky blond bob lies flat against dull skin, and her tired eyes are void of sparkle. I hate that we fought, I hate scaring her like this. We’ve been a two-person super duo for most of my life, and now I feel like I’m sinking our own ship. Tiptoeing up behind her, I wrap my arms around her waist, resting my cheek on her shoulder as she sighs deeply.
“Claire,” she exhales, setting down her wineglass. “I’m sorry I yelled. I want you to know: I don’t doubt your abilities. I know you’re strong, smart, and capable of anything you put your mind to. But…” She turns around, facing me. “I’m so scared for you. I don’t want anything bad to happen to you.”
“I don’t want anything bad to happen to me either,” I admit as she strokes my cheek with her thumb. “I always thought that given the chance I’d be brave, you know? Stand up for what I believe in. And while I’m not backing down, it’s not without doubt.”
“Because you saw what they did to Vaporizer?”
“Yeah, I mean, it’s one thing to think about torture, but then to see it…” A vision of Matt’s oozing purple injuries is overlaid on Joy’s face, and I’m instantly sick, my stomach churning at the mere