Snippet #1692683

Erik Jackson

At least the girl wasn't freaking out yet, Erik thought numbly. She just admitted that she was a technopath (whatever that was) and then walked up to him. "And you're a...lightopath," she decided. Erik was pretty sure that was some kind of made-up word, but he was too tired to care. Usually I'd probably be excited to meet people like me, but all I can feel is sorrow and hurt... "How about fospsyche? It's light and mind, so like light control...in a way." Erik didn't know what language she was speaking, but it certainly wasn't English. "Sorry." Then she gasped. "Are you okay? I could take you to my apartment, or a doctor, or a hospital, or to your home, or call someone, or something." Erik bit his lip and shook his head slightly. He didn't think any of them could help him. He just wanted to be left alone to think about what was going on. I just want to think... And my head hurts... Suddenly, the other teenaged boy got to his feet.

"Why don't you both come with me?" He asked quietly, glancing between the two others. "My dojo's just across the street. You can get cleaned up there, and we can talk without anyone else interrupting us." Erik took a shaky breath. I need to be happy again, cheerful. After all, what else is a hero supposed to do? We're supposed to make others feel good, even if we feel terrible. It's unheroic to let something get you down! You just have to make sure it doesn't happen again, he decided. He smiled at the two, his usual, cheerful smile.

"All right, captain! Sounds awesome! I mean, is it a real dojo? Like, one of those from a movie?" Erik asked, jumping up and down at the idea of going to some super secret ninja place. He wondered if the guy was a ninja, or maybe a samurai. That would be super cool! Erik didn't know any ninjas or samurais, but he figured it would be awesome to get to meet one. "Are you a ninja?" He asked, scratching his head curiously. "I'm a hero! Or, well, that's what everyone calls me. You can call me Erik, that's my real name! Or, well, you can call me Neon." Erik smiled larger, looking very pleased with himself. "That's my hero name. Cool, right? After all, I'm all about bright lights and being cheerful and stuff, so Neon!" Erik looked around the church and his eyes briefly rested on the two candles he lit earlier. The tall one and the short one were just about neck and neck. He shook his head. Can't think about that, now, I've got to be a hero.

"I don't know your guys' names yet... Do you have a super cool hero name? I betcha need one! I mean, all heroes need superhero names, or else the bad guys'll get 'em!" Erik was now completely different then before, fully committed in cheering himself up and convincing the others that he was fine. After all, what could he tell them? I'm dating an evil villain who also happens to be a guy? Yeah, Erik wasn't about to tell them that... That was personal. Private.