Chapter Eleven

Chapter Eleven

"Did you know they are calling you Aegis now?" T asks me as she drags her beaten up duffle into the living room.

"Anything is better than Pyrite," I say wrinkling my nose.

"The meaning behind that one was just spiteful, to begin with," T says as she smooths out her clothes.

"The public and media will call me whatever they want T, my only goal is to help people," I say smiling at her.

"Are you sure about this Zana? I've never left the shelter alone for more than a few hours," T says biting her lip.

"Do you really think it's going to fall apart because you are gone for forty-eight hours? Have a little faith in me," I say laughing.

"I just..."

"Relax T, I won't let the shelter fall apart," I say genuinely and there is a knock at the door.

T rushes over and swings our door open. On the other side of the door is a stunningly beautiful woman, she clearly has some oriental roots from her eye shape and hair texture, but she has the figure of a lean model and certainly the height for one. Her tailored black suit, crisp white blouse, and sharp, shiny black heels seem out of place in our dingy apartment complex. She smiles at ,  and T laughs out loud before embracing the woman. The longer I stare at her, the more familiar she seems, but I cannot seem to put my finger onto why.

"Cathleen, it's been too long," T says.

"Oh Thalia, you never came to my wedding!" Cathleen says scolding her.

"I couldn't leave the shelter," she says honestly, and Cathleen's eyes soften.

"You will have to meet Aviva before you return," Cathleen says with a love-struck look in her eyes.

"I would be honored to meet the Aviva Arlington," Thalia says grabbing her bag.

"Wait, your Cathleen Winters?" I ask shell shocked. No wonder she looked familiar!

"The one and only," she says giving me a beautiful smile.

"I learned about Aviva for a project, her scientific advancements are going to change the world," I say completely awestruck. Science was not my subject of choice, but I was amazed by Aviva's work, even if I only half understand it.

"You must be Zana, Greyson speaks very highly of you," Cathleen says smiling and I feel my cheeks burn. I'm glad most people can't see me blush.

"Nothing to talk about, but I'm flattered. You two should probably get going," I say to T, and she walks over and gives me a hug.

"Call me if you need anything, okay?"

"I've got this, now go visit your father," I said waving her off.

"It was nice meeting you Zana," Cathleen says.

"Likewise," I reply fidgeting with my mask in my pocket.

Once T and Cathleen have cleared the building, I change into some older clothes and pull my mask and hood on before locking up and heading out. I run around the city for hours, practicing sprinting, and watching out for trouble. I stop a small robbery and help people in a car accident, although nothing dramatic as the previous days. Relaxing in the shadows, I nibble on a snack I stole from the apartment. I sit around the science building that Viro is obsessed with. I visit here almost every time I do rounds; it is just habit at this point.

"I can't seem to get rid of you, can I?" An all too familiar voice taunts and I choke on my last goldfish. Pulling my mask back up, I am thankful he is behind me.

"Nope," I say putting my bag away and turning around to face the man with the red eyes.

"Every night I come here and every night you are here, waiting for me," Viro says leaning against the wall casually.

"And?"

"You don't even know who your protecting," he says pushing himself off the wall and stepping closer.

"Then why don't you tell me who I am protecting and why you are so hell-bent on hurting him," I say.

"Haven't we already had the discussion that I am not some bumbling idiot who reveals my motives to the pesky person in my way," he says walking closer to me.

"You know maybe if you told me why you keep going after this person, we could find some common ground," I say calmly, and he stops and stares at me.

"Tell me something," Viro says before pausing.

"What?"

"Why do you feel the need to run around being the hero? Why do you continuously put yourself in harm's way for people who could be just as bad as if not worse than me? What is your reasoning, Miss Aegis?"

"I want to help people," I say stubbornly. Why is he questioning me?

"That's it?"

"What do you mean that's it?" I snap.

"If your only reason for wanting to do this, and to stop me, is the fact that you want to 'help' people, then you won't last much longer," he says with an edge to his voice and his eyes shift from the annoying calmness to a more chaotic rage.

"I don't need to explain myself to you," I growl out.

"And I don't need to explain myself to you pipsqueak," he growls out. I am not that small!

Lunging for me and grabbing me he throws me out into the empty street and I barely manage to get myself upright before smashing the pavement. One knee hits the ground, but I manage to not face plant. Standing back up, I don't have any time to react as Viro starts swinging punches. I dodge and block a few before he lands one right in my floating ribs, knocking the wind out of me. I hit him back once I get an opening, and I might as well have punched a wall.

"You aren't the only one who is practically indestructible," he says before a punch made of pure metal hits me in the jaw, knocking me flat on my ass.

"Stupid child, do you really think you can stop me?" He growls picking me up by my collar, effectively choking me.

"No one can stop a monster that is created out of sheer loathing and abuse," he whispers to me before throwing me again.

Smashing into a light post, my vision goes black for a few moments before I can breathe again. When I finally sit upright, I see the massive dent in the light post before looking around in a panic. I don't see any sign of Viro anywhere and that sets me even further on edge. Slowing standing up, I use the light post to guide my sore body.

A buzzing in my pocket knocks me out of my disoriented stupor. Answering the call, I try to slow my ragged breathing. Listening to the voice on the other end of the line I don't hear a single word that is being said. The adrenaline is pounding so hard in my ears I can't hear anything for a few moments.

"Can you repeat that?" I ask her confused.

"Zana, are you alright?" T asks me worried and I force a laugh.

"Sorry I was just out for a run," I say with a laugh, hoping she doesn't catch my bluff.

"I'm safely in New York now, Greyson has a spare room for me to stay in," T says.

"Wow that was quick," I say and T laughs.

"Two words, Private Jet," T says still giggling and I know she's lying. T always gets overly serious or really giggly when she's lying to me.

"Damn, I can't believe I missed out on the fun," I say, letting it slide.

"Please call me when you get a chance tomorrow just so that I know everything is okay," T says, and I start walking home cautiously.

"Stop worrying so much, but of course," I say before we bid goodbye.

I take a very long and convoluted way home before collapsing onto the couch. My back and rips would have probably been shattered from the impact of me smashing into the light post. Trying to get comfortable on the couch, it proves to be incredibly difficult and I just groan and keep flipping until the exhaustion knocks me out.

Sorry this a shorter one!! It's just the pacing of the book, if you've gotten this far you probably know that the range of words per chapter can drastically change 😂😂. Also, Cathleen Winters has entered the chat... or story! Who's excited?

Please don't forget to vote and comment ❤️❤️