I zoomed across Ontario, flexing my Mind's Eye to the max. Even surpassing my usual kilometre limit. I also put my SEE Goggles to the max setting, trying to listen to multiple police frequencies about a kidnapping. But nothing. I was moving so quickly, I left a sonic boom every time I even twitched.
As I flew around, I listened to the police and emergency radio.
"—unit twelve responding—"
"—vehicle description unknown—"
"—copy that, suspect male, approximately—"
"—medical emergency at—"
"—all units stand by—"
"—can I get another car on—"
It's hurting my brain listening to all those words and terms. But I kept on listening; there was nothing about a missing child. Damn it!
"Come, work you stupid junk!" I growled, slapping my visor.
The radio chatter only got worse. Not only that, my SEE Goggle's HUD started to flash images on my screen.
[LOCATION TAG: 44.2 KM AWAY-]
[Athena: A Goddess that was born from Zeus-]
[Kidnapping: Is an unlawful-]
[The speed of light is the-]
I growled, tempted to smash the device and rip it into millions of pieces. Just what the heck is going on!? Am I getting hacked!? What's all the junk information? It would help me find Athena! Wait a minute, I think I know what's going on!
My SEE Goggles are a special version because they scan my brain, and the AI gives me information or helps me with whatever I'm thinking about. That's why my visor opens when I'm about to unleash my optic blasts. No wonder this piece of junk is acting out; my brain is a mess. I tried to force myself to calm down, but that worked just as well as a child kidnapper trying to be a decent person.
Instead of forcing myself to try to relax, my mind drifted off to what happened literally five minutes ago. Because at that time, I was still at the hospital, my mind racing as Mom and Gavin told the story to me. Approximately after a couple of hours, I left the house, and Dad took Athena to the park to make her feel better after what happened this morning. Things were normal, nothing was out of the ordinary, Athena walking around the playground unenthusiastically, while Dad kept watch. Then, out of nowhere, like it was so sudden, I got whiplashed watching the footage. Dad got jumped by three men wearing ski masks. One of them grabbed Athena and dragged her off, who knows where, while the other two beat my father.
He was left in bad condition, and the two mysterious masked men ran away. Disappearing along with the one who grabbed my sister. All of this was caught by a public camera set up near the park. It's meant to prevent situations like this or at least to help police find the perps quicker. After they told me what happened, I rushed out of the hospital, ignoring their cries for me to come back.
Out of all the families that fell victim to kidnapping, my family, which both Gavin and I protect. And they were successful. I didn't have super-hearing to hear my sister crying out for help. Not all I have is my stupid silhouette ability. I remembered flying, watching the footage.
My Dad was beaten to a pulp. Athena screamed and cried as the large man took her away roughly. It made my blood fucking boil. Zaps of crimson electricity formed around me. Dancing violently as my teeth dig into my lip enough to draw blood, which instantly heals thanks to my regeneration.
What could the kidnapper possibly want? Do they know Ben Armstrong and Red Justice are the same person and went after my sister because of it? No, I don't think so, with Jason and Gavin backing me up, even the best hackers and someone with tons of resources would find it difficult to figure out who I am.
Was this just malice? Regardless, what are they going to do with my sister? My mind was plagued with all sorts of horrible things that could happen to her, not helped by memories of terrifying movies I used to watch. My breathing became erratic, and the red lighting around me started shooting out of my body violently.
It seems my attempts to calm myself have failed spectacularly. How pathetic, I have the powers of a knock-off Superman, and yet I can't find a single little girl. The very thought of it enrages me. I was about to dart off again, this time faster. This time, to fly all over the globe, until Gavin's voice from the earpiece stops me.
"That's enough," Gavin said. "Having a temper tantrum will not help you find Athena."
My face scrunched up in anger. "Better than you doing nothing! I got to find her, right now!"
"We are doing something, in fact, much more productive than whatever you're doing. I'm having Jason along with some highly smart investigators working on this case. What you're doing is just wasting energy." He spoke calmly.
"I-!"
I began to say until I took several deep breaths. It did nothing to cool my rage, but it did allow me to think more rationally. I hate to admit it, but Gavin is right. I'm just wasting my energy flying around the world. I could move dozens of times faster than sound, but it doesn't matter if I'm searching for one person in a sea of dozens of people.
Even if I'm just looking somewhere in Canada, it's still incredibly hard to find Athena. The lightning around my body faded away, and my muscles relaxed. I am still angry, but also incredibly exhausted, both physically and mentally. I rubbed my mouth, releasing a groan.
"What do I do for now?"
"Just stand by. Trust me, Ben. I know you're worried about Athena, but with our support, it won't take long before we find these guys before they can do anything to your sister. I promise."
Stand by? As in do nothing? You mean I have all these powers and tools accessible to me, and yet I have to wait!? I wanted to argue, to lash out more. But then I thought about it.
What's the alternative? I wasn't a hacker, I wasn't a genius. I wasn't as resourceful as Gavin. Without my powers, I'm just a kid who knows how to scrap a little. Frustration filled me, not only that, but helplessness.
I haven't felt so lost other than when Noah confronted me with my ideals. Back when I wasn't really taking being a superhero very seriously.
"Fine, I guess, I'll just go…do some hero stuff to clear my mind."
"Not a good idea either." Gavin quickly said.
"Huh, why?"
"Think, Red, think." I could imagine him bringing up both of his hands and tapping them to his temple for some odd reason. "Right now, you are extremely emotionally volatile. After what's going on, I don't blame you. However, going on patrol right now when you're pissed off is just going to hurt people, whether intentionally or not."
I frowned. Once again, Gavin made another great point. I recalled what happened to Mr. Shinichi when I tried my first outing as a superhero as Big Justice. I shuddered at the unpleasant memory. I don't want another repeat of that happening again.
"What do you propose I do, then?"
"...Your Mom will stay at your Dad's side in the hospital. Poochie is going to go to a temporary shelter for him to stay. Just come by the shop and try to relax."
Relax? I scoffed. How could I possibly relax at a time like this? Still, I didn't have any plan or anything to do. With a heavy sigh, I flew back to the shop, going inside the mancave.
Not bothering to take off my suit just in case something happens. Instead, I left my SEE Goggles on the table while I sat on the couch. Gavin is furiously typing, looking over the security camera footage. I didn't know what he was doing; in fact, aside from a nod to acknowledge my presence, he hadn't said a word to me. He must have been focused on trying to find my sister.
I didn't say anything to him to not bother him. Instead, I pressed my palms to my face as hot tears dropped from my face. I didn't sob or make a sound. I just let the tears flow out freely as my lips quivered. I think this was the first time I felt so helpless. At least with Jimmy's situation, I could do something, even if it was a terrible action with too many consequences to act.
Here, though? There wasn't anything I could do except wait for Gavin and Jason. It wasn't just my sister; I wondered if my Dad would ever wake up. There are too many things to think about. This is the part where I usually sleep when things become so overwhelming.
Yet in a weird paradoxical way, I felt energetic. My body begs for the sweet relief of sleep, my mind demands I stay awake and be alert for any breakthroughs. While I wasn't very religious, I prayed to god that Athena is safe. And I also prayed for myself to have the mental strength to restrain myself. Because, after this whole ordeal is over, someone might be dead…and it might be by my hands.