Just everyday work
.
I see her buy the same newspaper every morning, after stepping out of the underground. She is always punctual, never late. I look at those blond hair strapped in a smooth ponytail and I wonder. What would be her reaction if I jumped down from this 30 storey building and just said a normal hello? Would she be shocked or take everything with seriousness and a steady calm as she always does? We work on the same floor in the P.U.L.S.A.R. Labs. She handles the science and I take care of the legal stuff and the computer software for the company.
I am only there a couple of hours, more of a freelancer. My main job is a completely different matter. It involves helping people, or let’s say traffic accidents if that happens. It’s easy to help when you can easily carry a good size car or a bus... If I put my mind
to it. Yes, supernatural strength and speed help being the so-called “hero”.
But I never liked that expression. Always preferring to stay in the shadows. I don’t really look like a superhero from the comic books. I don’t do tights. I smirk and stare at Melissa as she pays for her newspaper. She smiles at the saleswoman and I smile too, always feeling better when I see that little grin. Even if I see it from so far away, staring at her form a skyscraper. I get up from the ledge of the building and break into a run.
Setting myself into a position as I jump over the roof to another building. I fly into the air for about a half of a second and land with a low thud. I smile.
Like a walk in the park.
I walk down the inside stairs and pop up into my office, as if I have been there for hours, jumping on the chair and firing up my computer. Then I look up, straining my ears.
I hear her, she just entered the office. I can hear her steps as she passes the halls, I close my eyes and hear her pick up a number and call her sister. Then I lean my neck forward and see her from a distance, watching how she is looking for something in her bag and how her pinned hair falls to the side. It’s like watching liquid honey. I get up and speed into the hallway, after making sure no one was around, I beat the distance in seconds and stand behind her.
Hey Melissa, got your emails fixed, it was just a bug. Everything should work just fine from now on.
She looks up and turns around. She seems to be surprised at first because I know that she didn’t hear me coming. Then her lips turn up into a grin. And my superhero knees turn weak in less than it takes to blink.
Oh, hello Dana, didn’t see you there...
She stares at me, then takes a strand of my hair and looks it up.
...You ever thought of cutting those lovely brown waves of yours? They are almost up to your waist.
I will eventually, I promise.
I smile back, smelling her flowery perfume and green apple shampoo... and I think she ate toasts with honey for breakfast. I blush as I consider that super sensitive sense of smell, was sometimes too much, too wonderful that is.
It’s not that you have to, they are gorgeous just like the owner.
She gives me a small smirk and I hear my heart speed up, just like I hear every single heartbeat of hers.
I am just surprised that they never get tangled.
I use a good conditioner.
Yes, alongside with a special form of genes and hair structure. I couldn’t tangle them even if I wanted. and I always have the possibilities. Jumping into the river to get to the other part of town sooner. Like a speeding bullet or an underwater missile. I always did like swimming better to running... or when I help put a fire out... I often get dirty, but it doesn’t bother me. I always wear casual... hmm, not to say frumpy stuff. I stare down at my always present jeans and fix my long khaki jacket with a hood, I never bothered to take it off. The temperature was a very subjective state to me. Cold didn’t bother me and I almost never sweated in the heat waves. So sometimes I forgot to put on or take something off... I slip off my jacket and smile at her.
Want to join me later for lunch, Dana?
She asks and I stare at her for a moment. She smiles lightly, but then I see a sudden spark in her eyes. Hmm, once again I am getting myself into trouble. And for once it has nothing to do with saving the world or fighting with the bad guys. No. This was an altogether different kind of “bad”, but I can’t seem to mind much.
Okay. But I’m picking the place.Get ready to get swept off your feet, sunshine.
And then what, fly in your arms like Lois Lane did with Superman?
She smirks and then laughs out. It’s like music to my ears. I smirk but then get all serious.
No, I don’t do flying... just like I don’t do windows.
There is a moment of silence and she bursts into laughter again. I smile as she heads to her office and then I strain my ears when I hear a faint sound of a police radio.
“All units report to sector 7, Main street is blocked. There has been a robbery at the National Bank... I repeat, all units...”
The woman doesn’t even finish the sentence as I speed for the stairs, reach the roof and jump down without even blinking. a part of the sidewalk making a small cracking sound when I reach the ground. By now, I almost don’t even notice.
Bank robbers, a fire perhaps? Massive explosion or a bus to carry?
Please... Same old, same old.
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