𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐯𝐞, 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐝 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐝

𝒐𝒏𝒆

"DAD!" ASTRID LORENZO PROTESTED as her father, Reese Lorenzo, better known to the world as Animan, the Hero who could shapeshift, donned his fighting outfit. "The Heroics fired you! Or did you forget that?" 

"I'm not turning my back on people in times of trouble, Astrid," Reese said calmly. Reese's calm response always infuriated Astrid to no ends. 

"Dad! What if you get k-killed?" Astrid said, her voice breaking on the last word. "The Heroics have fallen apart. The only decent person on the team, if you can even call it a team, is Marcus Moreno. Who, if you've forgotten, isn't even part of the fighting force anymore!" 

"Astrid, I promise I'll come back," Reese said. 

"You said that to Mom. You said you wouldn't return to the Heroics," Astrid said. "What is a promise worth if you break them?" 

"I will come back," Reese promised his daughter. 

"Don't break this promise, Dad," Astrid said. 

HOW ASTRID ENDED UP the car with Heroic agents beat her. What have you done now, Dad? Astrid thought. 

And the second she met Ms. Granada, she instantly hated the woman. Astrid hated every aspect of the Heroics headquarters. But however much she hated the place, her subconcious was already marking every door, camera, exit possible. 

Astrid was lead to a big safe like looking thing. "Is this seriously safe?" she asked, more to herself. 

"It's the safest place in headquarters, Miss Lorenzo," Ms Granada confirmed. 

"When people say that, it always has flaws," Astrid replied absent mindedly. 

"Are you going to be a problem, Astrid,? Ms Granada asked, bending down to Astrid's height. 

"Most likely," Astrid said with her most charming smile. "Your intimidation tactics don't work on me, Ms Granada." 

Ms Granada ordered one of the guards with her to open the door to the stronghold, where Astrid saw rows of children, seeming to be quiet and learning. 

"Children, this is Astrid. She, as will one other, will be joining you today," Ms Granada said. 

"And most likely be kept here for days on end," Astrid said, rolling her eyes. 

"I'd appreciate if you take a seat right there," Ms Granada said, pointing to a seat next to a boy wearing a dog tag neclace. "And quietly continue your studies with the other children."

Astrid gave Ms Granada a fake smile as she made her way over to the table Ms Granada had instructed to sit at. 

Astrid noticed a curly haired boy looking suspiciously around, and was about to use his powers. "Ms Granada's not gone yet," Astrid said. 

SURE ENOUGH, MS GRANADA walked into the stronghold moments later with a girl named 'Missy'. Astrid gave the curly haired boy a 'I told you so' look, smirking slightly. 

After Ms Granada left, everyone went crazy. A boy in a wheelchair took it apon himself to be the person who introduced everybody to Missy and Astrid. Astrid followed the boy to where Missy was sitting. "Hey! I'm Wheels," the boy said. "Yes, they call me on account of the wheelchair. It's a little on the nose, but I like it." 

Missy gave Wheels a little look, like she was wierded out. "Okay." Missy said. 

"You probably think I'm in a wheelchair because my legs are weak, but it's the opposite," Wheels said. "My muscles are so strong, that my bones can't support 'em. But lucky for me, my brains the same way. It's supercharged. So I'm good.