The End of This Story

“So what’d you make this semester?” Miche asked Aaron.

“A 4.0.” He said matter-of-factly as he sipped his coffee.

“Even with people trying to kill you?” she asked.

“Yes. Never underestimate what I do with my time,” he smiled from behind his cup. “What’d you make?”

“A 4.0.”

“Really, with people trying to—Oh wait,” he smirked as he put down his cup.

“Alright, smart ass. I had to study a lot in between saving your tail,” she squinted at him.

“Thanks for that, by the way,” Aaron smiled.

“Any time,” Miche returned with a smile. “I hate that I didn’t get to meet future You.”

“Yeah, he was pretty cool,” Aaron closed his eyes and nodded. “You missed future Blink, too.”

“Aww what?” Miche gave a slight pout.

“And the twins’ dad.” Aaron said quickly.

“Definitely okay with missing him. Was he strong?” she asked.

“It took two Me’s, one of which has 20 more years of experience, and a Campbell who just discovered his powers. Sooo… No,” he responded.

“I can’t believe he has powers,” she sipped her coffee.

“I can’t believe a lot of things,” Aaron shrugged. “So, what do we do with our time now?”

“Hang out, I guess. Arie and Jane should be in their apartment soon. Blink said he’d hang out, too,” Miche replied.

“It’s going to be weird not fearing for my life,” Aaron joked.

“Right. As dangerous as that was, it was pretty fun,” Miche looked down. “I guess it’s academics all the way, now.”

“I’d rather metahumans trying to take my life…” Aaron sunk in his seat.

“Count your blessings, Aaron,” Miche shook her head. Aaron stuck his tongue out at her then froze. He sensed strange thoughts coming into the coffee shop.

“Shouldn’t you put that back in your mouth?” Miche cocked an eyebrow.

“I think we are about to have another adventure,” Aaron told her. As he finished his sentence, two men walked into the coffee shop.
“Money. NOW!” One yelled, firing a shot into the ceiling. The other pointed a gun around at all the customers in the store. He noticed Aaron and Miche still sipping their coffee.

“You two first,” he walked over to their table. They looked at each other for a moment. Then, Aaron flung the man into a nearby wall with his telekinesis, knocking him unconscious. They both rose from their seat to face a rather fearful robber.

“Really?” Aaron’s eyes began to glow. “A coffee shop?”

Miche made four copies of herself as she walked over to him. She gave a sweet smile, then punched the robber in the face.

A Confluence of A's

For a moment, people began to stir with confusion. Captain quickly remedied the situation, letting the nurses believe all was well.

“Where did you send Jack’s energy?” Aaron asked Blink.

“You will find out soon. I’ll be calling on you,” Blink smiled.

“Why are you so cryptic?” Aaron shook his head.

“You’ll find that out, too,” Blink shrugged. Aaron sighed, looking around to see if his friends were okay. Jane sat at Arie’s bedside. She looked up at Aaron and he knew she understood what had just happened. Inside her mind, he could detect a mix of relief and pain. Miche laid on the other side of Jane, Blink on the other side of Arie.

“Are they okay?” Aaron asked.

Long Time Coming

“I trusted you, Jack” Captain said as the world around him, Campbell, and Aaron began to fade away, revealing a dark void.

“One of the many mistakes you’ve made,” Jack, James and Jane’s father, replied. He shot a blast of energy at Aaron and Captain. Aaron put his arms up, diverting the attack but accruing him damage. Captain swiped the energy aside without effort, his mind swirling with anger.

“So, why?” Aaron asked. “Why try to kill me now?”

“Because I couldn’t before, and finally had the opportunity” Jack responded, eliciting shock from Aaron and Captain. Before they could ask what he meant, he continued, “And because I needed you broken and your hope and idealism proved infuriatingly stubborn.” Though he said so matter-of-factly, the wave of energy he sent at the trio carried within it his fury.

“Broken?” Captain asked.