Opals POV
“But even if the intention is right, the ends can’t justify the means. If that was true, then no matter what we did we would be wrong. A lot of people work hard to put their money in the banks you rob.” Opal said slowly, trying to get her mind in order again.
Alec POV
Alec smiled at Mirages answer. “Why thank you Mirage.” He said in a semi-sincere tone. He gazed at the reporter with cold discontent.
“Hey, don’t look at me like that, this is my job. And you,” he started talking to Mirage again, his tone becomin more hostile. “Do you even know who you caught?”
Opals POV
“But even if the intention is right, the ends can’t justify the means. If that was true, then no matter what we did we would be wrong. A lot of people work hard to put their money in the banks you rob.” Opal said slowly, trying to get her mind in order again.
Sienna’s POV
“Sweetheart, don’t be naive.” She clicked her tongue, as if ashamed in her. “The bank is required to pay those people back. The money in there belongs to the bank, not the people. The only ones loosing money are the rich bank CEO’s that hoard cash to themselves.” She justified herself smoothly. “The money I take goes three places. To work, to me, and to a charity I established.”
Opal was taken aback by Pasithea’s answer. “You giv your money to a charity?” She felt a sense of happiness go through her, that meant that she was right about Pasithea not being bad.
“I told you, Opal. Sometimes intentions matter more.” Sienna took a bite of her food, savoring the taste.
Opals POV
“I still don’t know if that’s true,” Opal replied, picking at her food. “Because if it is, then what about that crazy guy who interrupted your heist?”
Sienna’s POV
“I only know he goes by Outlet. He doesn’t work for the alliance. Some rogue villain who causes chaos for fun.” Sienna’s gaze darkened with annoyance.
Opals POV
“But if his intention is fun that’s not bad, but the way he does it is wrong.” Opal said, more confidence sifting into her voice.
Sienna’s POV
“His intention is to cause chaos. Fun is a byproduct.” Sienna grumbled, rolling her eyes. “I’d rather not talk about him. We don’t get along.”
Anthony followed close behind, leaving four grotesques behind at the entrance. “And please don’t panic.”
Alec POV
Alec smiled at Mirages answer. “Why thank you Mirage.” He said in a semi-sincere tone. He gazed at the reporter with cold discontent.“Hey, don’t look at me like that, this is my job. And you,” he started talking to Mirage again, his tone becomin more hostile. “Do you even know who you caught?”
Ae-Ri was careful to keep her tone flat and emotionless. “With all due respect, we need to get going. Thank you for your time, there will be no interviews.”
“I’m tryin’ not too.” Winnie mumbled, doing his best not to hyperventilate as he took his first steps into the building. The scent of decay slapped him in the face immediately, eliciting a whimper from him as he clung to the wall.
Anthony sighed through his nose. With a flick of his fingers, he sent Samuel forward towards Winnie, hoping his brother could do something to salvage the situation.
Unwittingly showing off his strength, Winston strapped his staff onto his back, bending down and scooping up Samuel in his arms like the grotesque was an oversized teddy bear. He handled the creature gently, regaining a little bit of courage. Slowly but surely, Winston began to walk again.
Anthony blinked, caught off guard by this sudden show of strength. Yes, Winston was tall, but he had never expected to see him lift Samuel like he weighed nothing.
“Are you sure about this?” Winnie called back, halting in his tracks. “There are some stairs goin’ down, but I don’t know how safe they are.” He added, hugging Samuel close.
With another flick of his fingers, Anthony sent a grotesque forward. She sniffed the stairs, tested them hesitantly, then bounded down. They freaked, but held.
“We’re good.”
Winston didn’t like the sound of that creaking noise, but sucked in a deep breath, nuzzling Sam for comfort. He approached the stairs hesitating again directly in front of them. “I-I can’t…” He whispered, backing a few steps and setting Sam down on the floor.
Anthony narrowed his eyes. “Why? It’s a flight of stairs. You’re a superhero.”
“I shouldn’t be! I’m only here ‘cause I got stung by a jellyfish!” Winston backed up more, crying out as his foot broke through a loose floor board. The follow events happened so quickly that Winston couldn’t even register it. The section of the floor he landed on collapsed under his feet, sending the boy plummeting downwards with a terrified scream. A flash of light erupted from his skin so brightly that one looking directly at it might go blind. And, unfortunately for Winston, he did go blind.
Anthony jumped backwards, as did Samuel, Don, and several of the remaining grotesques. Shit. He didn’t have time to register the rush of worry suddenly overtaking him, only time to act.
“Winston?” he called, “Can you hear me? Are you alright?”
Winston groaned, shaking violently from the scare the fall had given him. “Yeah… Yeah, I think so…” He sniffled a little, holding back tears. Winnie opened his eyes to gain his bearings, his first thought being that his glow had somehow gone out, leaving him in darkness. But then, as Winston realized he couldn’t even see his hand when he waved it in front of his face, it occurred to him that something much worse had occurred.
Anthony could barely see—the clumsy boy’s light had almost gone out. “Glow brighter,” he called down, “So I can see you.”
Samuel paced back and forth, clearly agitated. To Anthony’s surprise, he let out a garbled noise that sounded suspiciously like the word ‘Winnie’.
Winston forced himself to glow brighter, unsure how bright he was actually glowing st the moment. Im never going to get into art school. Ma’s gonna have to take off work to take care of me. I’ll never see Opal or Ae-Ri again… A flood of panicked thoughts filled Winnie’s head. He looked up towards where he heard Remedy’s voice, blood trickling down his forehead from a cut he received during the fall.
Sienna’s POV
“His intention is to cause chaos. Fun is a byproduct.” Sienna grumbled, rolling her eyes. “I’d rather not talk about him. We don’t get along.”
Opals POV
“Alright,” Opal said,wondering if she had pushed too far. “Then we won’t talk about him.”