𝐑𝐈𝐒𝐊 | 𝐃𝐚𝐛𝐢 ꨄ︎

12. Hurt

Chapter 12: Hurt

You stopped screaming once you felt Hawk's presence. He stood firm beside you and you turned yourself back to visible.

“For a second, I thought someone was getting murdered out here. Obviously, I had to rush here right away to see if anything's wrong. After all, I'm the fastest hero.” He winked and gave you a thumbs up.

You rolled your eyes at his statement. Heroes think they're all cool and tough when they can't even save you at your lowest.

When he noticed that you remained silent, he brushed his hair to find the right words. “Life could be a pain in the ass sometimes, eh?” He lifted his head to face the sky.

“Look, I don't know what's happening in your life right now.” Hawks sighed. “But there are times where you just can't do anything about it and you have to learn to accept things.” 

In your peripheral vision, you could see his hero costume a bit worn off, probably from all those hero work. His facial expression turned into a plain one. You couldn't read him if he's sad or just tired from patrolling.

“Life’s killing me alive. I hate it so bad and I can't do anything to stop it. I always tell myself all these sufferings happen for a reason, but I can't seem to figure out why.”

Hawks pouted at your answer.

“I mean, what did I ever do to deserve all this shit.”

You could feel the tears build up in your eyes. “No one can save me. My life, it's destroyed already. Long ago. And no amount of saving could repair its damages. It's ruined.”

“How ‘bout we go flying for a bit. It helps me calm down my thoughts sometimes.” Hawks said out of the blue. He held out his hand offering it to you.

Staring at his hand for a few milliseconds, you decided to take his hand.

One moment, you were standing on top of the ledge, the next thing you knew, you were flying on the air. You feel your heart take a big leap once you're above the air. You could feel the wind in your hair, as you saw the whole city glistening from above.

And for the longest time, you feel alive.

“It looks better on nights like this. No villains on the loose.” Hawks flew even higher, making your ears hurt due to the pressure.

“Except…” Hawks gritted his teeth.

“You're the villain on the loose.”

A shiver ran down your spine. That statement made your heart stop beating. What? How the hell did he found out.

You tried to refrain yourself from reacting terribly. Instead, you act confused.

“Me?”

Hawks laughed out loud, making you want to jump off. Dang it. He almost had you there. “Just kidding.” He smile without his eyes, then his expression went back to one that you can't read again.

You remained silent for the rest of the night, counting down the seconds before he finally landed you down to your front porch.

Once you made sure that he had finally left, you let out a breath you're holding.

He definitely knows.

•••

The next day, you headed back to the League even though you weren't really ready yet.

The feeling of being watched all the time bugs you a lot. You aren't sure if you're just paranoid because of what happened to you in that cabin. But you've got nothing to do at home.