Chapter 15: When is a person considered dead?

When is a person considered dead? Is it when their heart stops beating or their lungs stops bringing in air?

Knock knock.  Kris opened her eyes. Sunlight poured into the window, hitting her retinas in an unpleasant way. She rolled over in bed, away from the light. Q appeared in the doorway and watched as Kris wriggled deeper into her comforter. “Kris, honey,” Q said softly, walking to the bed. “It’s noon and someone is at the door.”

            Kris groaned. “If it’s anyone other than Molly, ignore it,” She croaked.

            Q left the room and went to the door. They looked in the peephole to see Paul holding a large antique radio. Q ran back to Kris’s room. “Kris,” They said louder voice than before. “Paul is here, and I don’t think he is going to go away.”

            Knock knock. Kris sighed. Q approached the bed and pulled the comforter off Kris. “It’s cold,” She complained.

            Q pulled on her arm. “Come on, get up.”

            Kris pulled Q down and hugged them. “Give me your warmth,” She said.

            “Not now,” Q replied. “We got company, so get up.”

            Kris sighed harder but got up. Q hovered as she walked to the front door and opened it. “What the hell are you doing here?” She snapped, rubbing her eyes. “It’s too damn early for your to be bothering me.”

            “Well, good afternoon to you too, sunshine,” Paul replied. “I got a police radio.”

            Kris looked at the large radio he was carrying and snickered. “That big a*s thing? Great,” Kris said sarcastically. “Come in.”

            Kris opened the door wider and Paul walked in, setting the radio on her dinner table. Kris wandered over to the table, sitting down in a chair. “Alright Paul,” She started. “Where’d you get the thing?”

            “Well, funny story,” Paul admitted. “I bought this old fashion radio, hoping it would pick up the frequency that the police use. I scanned all the AM and FM frequencies it could get, but no dice. So, I search on the internet how to get access and it turns out that there is a website and apps for it.”

            Kris chuckled, amused that he thought of aesthetics first before practicality. “Excellent.”

            “It would be pretty easy for someone in a patrol pair to listen to the police radio with headphones plugged in,” Paul said. “Now, we can have every pair listening for cases while patrolling the streets. They can listen specifically for crimes that have superpowers involved. It’s good, right?”

            “Mmm,” Kris intoned. “Not enough to get me out of bed.”

            Q placed a hand on Kris’s shoulder, trying to soothe her. “What app or website are we going to use?” They asked. “We should all be on the same page.”

            Paul pulled out his phone. He did some typing before responding. “There, I texted everybody the website. Well, except you Q.”

            “Do you think I should get a phone?”

            “Depends on how independent you want to be,” Paul replied. “People need to know where you are.”

            “Excuse me, are they on house arrest?” Kris asked sharply.

            Paul was taken aback. “No, of course not, but in situations with patrols… If we get separated and you’re hurt? It would be best if you stuck close to someone who had a phone. You get that?”

            “Yeah,” Q said quietly.

            Paul stared at the radio and thought. “Maybe I can buy you a phone,” He said. “I really need to get Espe one, so I’m expanding my phone plan anyway.”

            “Okay.”

            “But you won’t house them?” Kris muttered.

            Paul looked at Kris then Q. Q shrugged helplessly. “I like it here with you, Kris,” Q commented delicately.

            Kris got up. “I don’t see why,” She responded before leaving the room.

            Q sat down in her chair, putting their head in theirs hands. Paul leaned in. “What’s up with Kris?”

            “She’s having a bad day,” Q answered.

            “A bad day? She just got up.”

            “It’s the nightmares and insomnia,” Q mentioned. “I can only help so much.”

            Paul rubbed his mouth. “Have you guys considered counseling?”

            Q nodded. “We have. She doesn’t think she’s that bad yet.”

            “Bring it up with her again, please,” Paul suggested. “If she can’t work with me or the rest of the team, she will get benched.”

            “That might be for the best, though practice is the only thing she looks forward to nowadays” Q replied before admitting, “I’m not so sure what she can do for patrols. She’s scared to kill somebody again.”

            Paul grimaced. “I can’t say I understand what it’s like to kill someone, but I get why that would have negative effects. She can take time to recover.”

            “I don’t think she would take it.”

            “I know,” Paul said before sighing. “Just mention therapy to her.”

            “Okay, I think I’m going to get Molly. She can fake happy for Molly and fake happy is better than this.”

            “Alright,” Paul responded. “I’ll go then.”

            Paul stood up, picking up his radio. Q walked him to the door and opened it for him. “I hope you have a nice day,” Q said.

            “I hope your day gets better,” Paul replied, looking concerned.

            “We’ll be fine,” Q assured, feeling faker than they’ve been in months.

            Paul nodded before leaving. Q shut the door and walked down the hall. They stopped at Kris’s doorway and took a moment to breathe. Peeking in, Q could make out Kris in fetal position under her blanket. Q crept over to the bed and grabbed the phone beside it. “I’m calling Molly,” They declared.

            “Don’t,” Kris said, emerging from her fetal position.

            “Please, you can’t lay in bed all day again. I’m calling her, so you eat, and you talk to someone besides me.”

            Q watched as Kris rolled over in bed away from them. Q climbed into bed, placing their side against Kris’s back as they sat barely upright. “I’ll ask her to bring a new movie,” Q mentioned, reaching out and stroking Kris’s hair. “And maybe curry?”

            Kris moved and placed her head on Q’s chest. “Fine.”

            “Also,” Q added. “Paul wants you to see a therapist.”

            Kris snorted, “Everyone I know wants me to see a therapist.”

            “Why not do it?” Q said, a smile slowly forming as they got an idea. “I hear Dr. Horns is a great psychiatrist.”

            Q watched as Kris started to smile as well. “That’s a good idea. I should visit his office sometime.”

            Kris wrapped her arms around Q. “Thank you.”

            “I’m still calling Molly.”

            “F**k you.”

            “Maybe later,” Q deadpanned.

+++++

            Tae sat on a park bench at night. He had a single head bud in, listening to the police radio. He looked up in the sky and waited. He shifted his weight a little. The suit stuck to him closely while his coat and jeans remained unmoved. He called Kris. “Coral, Coral in the sky,” Tae said when Kris answered. “Where are you flying?”

            “I’m over Lombardo right now,” Kris responded. “In uniform. I already flew over the others. Paul and Q are along the main drag while Alicia and Theo are riverside. Everyone is sitting around, so I assume you are too?”

            “Yeah,” Tae said. “I’m at the arboretum.”

            “Okay, I’ll do patrols around that park.”

            “You’re listening to the radio?”

            “Yeah.”

            “Alright, good,” Tae replied. “Tell me and Paul if you hear anything.”

            “Kay,” Kris said before hanging up.

            Tae moved his head, looking forward. He wondered if she was bored. The radio kicked back in as the call ended. “Report of signal 10 on 342 Sprague. Charlie to dispatch, over. 10-4 Charlie. 10-26 for the signal 10. 10-4 Charlie.”

            “Delta to dispatch, 10-65? 10-4 Delta. We need 10-57, over. Copy Delta, 10-23… Foxtrot 10-51. Delta to dispatch, 10-20 on 88 Halsey. 10-4 Delta.”

            Tae’s phone started to ring, breaking him out of his peaceful lull. He saw that it was Kris. He answered, “Hello?”

            “How does Paul expect us to know all these codes?” Kris asked.

            “I’m sure they will drop the numbers if a super-powered person shows up.”

            “If you say so,” Kris replied. “I’m going to check out the numbers at Sprague. See you soon.”

            Kris hung up. Tae watched a shadow move across the sky. “Romeo to dispatch, 10-48? 10-4 Romeo. Signal 21-I on 551 Waverly, Romeo 10-97. Copy, Romeo, do you need backup? 10-54 dispatch. 10-4 Romeo.”

            There was radio silence for a moment. “Report of signal 52 on 1022 Burnside. Signal 15- we have a star, people, 10-46. Anyone, 10-52?”

            His ears perked up; star must be code for something serious. Tae got a call from Kris. “It’s us, Tae. We’re the closest. I’m on the way, but you should call Paul.”

            “On it.”

            Tae stood up and started running to Burnside. He took the time to dial Paul’s number as he dodged around people on the sidewalk. Paul answered immediately. “Hey, we’re on the signal 52,” Tae said quickly.

            “Okay, great,” Paul responded. “I’m going to send Light as back up.”

            Tae turned the corner and ran across the street. “Alright,” Tae said. “I’ll tell you how it goes later.”

            Tae hung up and counted the numbers on the buildings as they passed. He pulled his mask out of his coat pocket and put it on. He spotted Kris landing in front of a building. “That the place?” He called.

            “Yeah,” Coral said, stopping to listen.

            She pointed and ran. “The alley.”

            Eon grabbed his rods and dropped his coat. “Hey you!” Coral shouted in the alley. “Stop right there.”

            A man ran out of the alley into Eon. He fell on top of Eon, crushing him with his weight. Eon quickly pushed him off, striking his abdomen with an elbow. Eon squatted on top of him, a knee to his chest. “Don’t move,” Eon said, holding his rod to his chest.

            The man’s eyes flashed gold and Eon was thrown off him. He landed on his back a few feet away and struggled to get up, gasping. Coral flew from the alley and landed a punch to the man’s jaw. He fell but got back up immediately. His eyes started glowing again. Eon managed to sit up and took aim with his rod, shooting a small bolt of lightning at him.

            The criminal collapsed, wheezing and grasping at his chest. Coral and Eon ran to him. “What happened?” Coral asked.

            “The lightning was too much,” Eon responded, sounding scared.

            Coral touched his chest, noticing the lack of a strong heartbeat, and looked around. “It’ll be okay,” She said trying to reassure the man. “We have a friend, a nurse. He’ll be here any minute. I’m going to do chest compressions, just try to breathe along with it, okay?”

            The man gasped and nodded rapidly, moving his arms to grip his jeans. Coral placed her palms together over the man’s sternum. She pressed down rhythmically, counting along. “One, two, three, four, five, now breathe.”

            A panicky Eon heard footsteps. He looked behind him to see Light. “Thank god!” He exclaimed. “Come here, Light, there’s something wrong. The lightning did something to him.”

            Light dived to his knees beside the man. Coral stopped the compression for a few seconds, so Light could check the man’s pulse. “There’s no pulse,” Light said calmly before placing his hand on the man’s chest. “Probably ventricular fibrillation.”

            He removed his hand, nodding for Coral to start the compressions again. “What does that mean? What can we do?” She asked, panting slightly.

            “The muscles in his heart aren’t contracting at the same time,” Light explained. “The best way to fix it is to shock him again.”

            The man let out a wail. “Please don’t,” He gasped.

            Light touched his shoulder. “I’m sorry sir, if you want to live, it’s our best chance.”

            The man started moaning lightly. “You want me to shock him again?” Eon asked without emotion.

            “Yes,” Light answered, reaching out to reassuringly pat his arm. “I’ll talk you through it.”

            Light unbuttoned the man’s shirt to expose his hairy chest. Eon kneeled beside Light, taking calming breaths. “Okay, take both the rods,” Light instructed. “Place your left one in the center of his chest below his clavicles and place your right one below his heart and further to the right, so the current will run right through his heart.”

            Eon switched his grip and put the two rods where Light directed. “Alright, good,” Light said encouragingly. “Coral lay off the compressions and Eon give a small shock.”

            Coral let up, leaning away. Focusing intensely, Eon gave a small shock. The man let out a big sigh before sucking in air. Light checked his pulse. “It’s good,” He said with a warm smile. “Congratulations sir, you’re going to live.”

            Eon tucked his rods away as Light pat the man on the shoulder. Sirens could be heard in the distance. “Don’t worry,” Light said soothingly. “The police will be here soon. Inform them that Eon shocked you out of sinus rhythm and returned you to it. They will take you to the hospital instead of a jail cell. Alright?”

            The man shook his head. “Please sir,” Light pleaded gently. “You shouldn’t move unless absolutely necessary.”

            The sirens got louder. Light looked around and the man tried to sit up. Light held him down as he made a decision. “Coral,” He started. “Eon and I can’t flee like you can. Stay here with the man until the police arrive and when they do, inform them of the situation, but do not allow them to detain you.”

            “Of course,” Coral replied, placing a hand on the man’s chest. “Get going, I’ve got it.”

            Eon and Light stood up. They ran. Coral watched them go before facing the man. She buttoned his shirt back up. “I’m sorry that this got out of hand,” Coral said to him softly. “Don’t try to fight me off now, your heart might give out. I’m Coral. What’s your name?”

            The man grimaced. “Mason,” He exhaled.

            “Mmm, hello Mason,” Kris responded, giving a little smile. “It’ll be okay. We should keep talking; it’ll help with the pain. I have the power to fly. What can you do?”

            “Uh, telekinesis,” Mason answered painfully. “I can’t do much yet.”

            “That’s okay, practice is key,” Kris said coolly. “It used to be a thing that telekinetic people would bend spoons to show off their ability. You can practice that.”

            “Yeah, in jail.”

            Coral laughed. “You sound like me,” Coral commented. “A real f*****g pessimist.”

            Mason chuckled a little too. “So, what crime were you committing when I arrived?”

            “Assault,” Mason answered. “The guy slept with my girlfriend.”

            “Oh yeah, I know that feeling. I think about it this way though, your girlfriend slept with that guy too. So, say f**k her, f**k him and move on. She isn’t worth your time.”

            Mason licked his lips, looking up at the sky. “She was the love of my life,” He admitted.

            “I know that feeling too,” Kris said softly, patting him where her hand was holding him down. “That feeling passes like everything else. It just takes time.”

            A police car screeched to stop nearby. The headlights landed on the pair. Coral stood up and raised her hands above her head. “Stay down, Mason,” She ordered. “Everything will be fine.”

            The person in the passenger seat got out, aiming their gun at Coral. Coral squinted to see that it was a familiar figure. “Good evening, Kidman,” She called cheerfully. “Long time, no see.”

            Detective Kidman was surprised but held her gun steady. “How do you know my name?” She asked, glaring Coral down.

            “Let me do the talking,” Coral said, taking control of the situation. “The man laying down here was committing assault when my associates and I stopped him. My associate accidently electrocuted him, putting his heart out of sinus rhythm. We were able to restore it with an electric shock, however I still believe that he is in an unstable condition, so it is best that you take him to the hospital while he’s in your custody. Please be aware that he has telekinetic abilities though they are unrefined.”

            The cop that drove stepped out of the car. Coral recognized him too. “What’s your name?” Kidman asked, dropping the aggressive tone.

            “Coral,” Coral responded quickly. “And now that I have done my part, I will be going.”

            Wu trained his gun on her. “Don’t move.”

            Coral shrugged and took off, flying into the sky at her fastest speed. The cops watched her go with some amazement. Kidman was quick to holster her gun and move to arrest Mason. She helped him sit up and put handcuffs on him. Wu assisted her in getting Mason to stand up. “That was Coral from the news,” He mentioned. “She helped stop a bank robbery a few weeks ago while wearing a snake mask.”

            “I know that, Wu,” Kidman said as she walked Mason to the car. “I don’t know why that woman would know my name though.”

            Wu opened the door for her and she helped Mason into the car. “We should update her profile,” Kidman said, looking Wu in the eye. “She’s got a new costume and she knows me.”

            “She also has associates.”

            Kidman nodded. “There’s something bigger going on around her.”

+++++

            Tae returned to his park bench. He sat, panting and shaking. He pulled his coat tighter around him, glancing at the rods beside him on the bench. He messed with his phone for a short while before tucking it in his pocket. He sat in silence, blinking away tears, until Kris landed in front of him. She adjusted her mask but didn’t take it off. She pointed to the other side of the bench and asked, “Is this seat taken?”

            “No,” Tae answered quietly, moving his bars onto the ground.

            Kris sat beside him. “How are you doing?”

            Tae stared in front of him. “To be honest, not well.”

            “I think I can understand.”

            “Do you?” Tae replied, sounding upset. “I shot lightning at a man and almost killed him.”

            “Technically, he experienced clinical death and was successfully resuscitated.”

            “That doesn’t make me feel better.”

            “I’m sorry,” Kris said with a sigh. “I’ve never been good with words… I’m trying to say it wasn’t so bad.” Kris looked at her hands. “You didn’t kill him.”

            Tae’s foot started tapping. “I think it is bad,” He responded hastily. “I think it’s terrible because I feel like it’s going to happen again and maybe next time the guy won’t be so lucky. Maybe next time, I will kill someone.”

            “Maybe,” Kris admitted. “But can I tell you something?”

            Tae nodded, unsure what she was going to say. Kris met his gaze. “I can do more than fly,” Kris confessed, touching the top of her head where she would stroke her hair.

            Quietly she continued, “I possess a deadly toxin in my nails and I have killed a man.”

            Tae paled, and his eyes widened. “What happened?”

            “Long story short,” Kris said, her voice becoming a touch hoarse. “I ended up in a tricky situation and I stabbed a guy with my nails… Then he died.”

            Tae appeared confused, his brow furrowing. The story may have been too short. “Okay.”

            Kris played with her hands, covering her fingernails. “My point is,” Kris continued, taking a pause. “If you are worried about hurting someone, you aren’t the only one. Seeing that guy, Mason, crumple right in front of me… I couldn’t imagine…”

            Tae looked away in thought. They sat together in silence for a long time. They watched as a few people walked by, leaving the park, and listened to the cicadas and crickets. Tae nodded suddenly. “We can do something,” Tae said. “We can work on being less dangerous.”

            Tae reached out and took Kris’s hand. She flinched as he squeezed gently. “Let’s be less dangerous together.” He continued with certainty.

            Kris hesitantly put her other hand over the clasped one. “Alicia and Pagel have been helping me,” She mentioned. “They are working on my venom problem.”

            “That’s good.”

            Kris nodded slowly. “I think that if you can get into the habit of static shocks instead of lightning bolts, you could be a less lethal hero.”

            “Yeah, but it’ll take practice.”

            “Let’s make a pact,” Kris said resolute. “A pact to try to be less lethal.”

            “Okay, I’ll practice, and you’ll explore the medical aspect.”

            Tae’s watch beeped. “Alright,” Kris replied, smiling. “Pact made.”

            Kris let go of Tae’s hand and stood up. “It’s midnight. We finished our first patrol,” Kris continued, changing subjects. “Come on, I’ll walk you home.”

            Kris reached under the bench and pulled out a duffel bag. She put clothes on over her suit before taking off her mask and stowing it. Tae got up, putting his rods inside his coat. Kris wrapped her arm around Tae’s shoulders and led him out of the park. “This was good,” Kris declared.

            “Yeah,” Tae responded, looking up at Kris with a forced smile. “It’s good to know I’m not alone.”