SHAZAM!: The Word of Power #7
"Everyone is baffled here, as our very own, nameless hero shoots down the street, probably to save another life. That's all for me, back to you," the television clicks off. Freddy hobbles to the door as thunder claps outside. As the lights flicker, the door swings open to find Billy.
Freeze, "Oh… Hey, Freddy," it's a cold night, but he's sweating.
"We need to talk out here real quick," he closes the door like a whisper and plops down on a porch swing.
Billy hesitates, "Um… what's up?"
"Thank you, for standing up for me at lunch."
"No issue, that guy sucked."
"You know what? After that, while you were in the dean's office, I swear lightning struck in the parking lot. Isn't that insane? Definitely didn't see any rain," his gaze breaches Billy's thoughts, seizing his secrets and clenching a fist around them.
"I thought I heard, like a gunshot or something," he takes a seat.
"Nope, saw the bolt. Saw someone running too but I wasn't sure. Until I just heard thunder again. Had Eugene look into some articles and reports online. This red lightning guy was seen a lot today, but only between those two cracks of thunder."
"I don't know wh-"
"I actually had him look into every sighting, he wasn't suspicious because this isn't weird for me to ask, but the sightings go all the way back to the day after you came here."
"That sounds accusat-"
"I need an honest answer, I swear I'll keep my big trap locked tight on this, my new brother is a frickin' superhero?!" he has a strange hushed yell of energy.
"I hate to pop that little geek bubble, but he's like 30…"
"Dude. Magic exists. I heard Wonder Woman had a rope that won't let you lie AND a frickin' invisible plane. Anything is possible, especially since Coast City," his smile is the only steady part of him.
Damn it… Not a mean cell in this kid. Or maybe he’s a great actor, “ Yeah, man…” he lets out the smallest mutter.
“I didn’t catch that, Lightning Lad.”
“SHUSH! Geez, less discreet than Darla…”
A whisper about the volume of a normal speaking voice travels a distance of twelve inches, “Why would we be discreet? You’re the thundering dumbass, are you?”
“I’ll step on you dude, yes I’m…” he still doesn’t have a name that doesn’t summon lightning.
“You know, when you’re put on the spot, your eyes dart in like a zigzag pattern.”
“No, I improvise,” his gaze jumps to the side looking for a better line.
“When you lie you shutter a little.”
“Why are you analysing me, man?”
“I study your kind, for I shall one day become the greatest villain this world has yet seen!” he abandons the hushed tone.
“It’s rude.”
“You analyse everyone you meet. I’m just better at it,” he grabs his crutches and heads to the door, “Oh, and by the way: you’re super grounded.”
When Billy gets to his room, Victor is waiting at the door, “What’s up, bud? How was your evening? Do anything interesting at all?”
“I guess I’ll tackle those one by one,” people seem to get annoyed by the truth, “Darla’s general excitement. Not too bad, pretty tuckered out. I did do interesting things, like getting a cat out of a tree, and helping an old lady cross the street.”
“Ok, smart ass, why’d you start a fight and ditch school? Come on, you know that’s not okay.”
“He was bullying Freddy, he swung first. He got what we asked for.”
“Wait, he hit you?”
“Yeah, like twenty times. I hocked a bloody loogie down his throat.”
“God, DAMN! Brutal, kid. Screw it, I got your back on that. Freddy said that earlier but he always says crazy $#!&. You’re still grounded for ditching, but I doubt Rosa will even be mad. Dinner in thirty,” he pats Billy’s shoulder on his way down the hall.
Freddy pokes his head out of the dark bathroom, “What the hell? Do I say crazy $#!&?”
“Constantly.”
