"Who Are You?"

“Who are you?” that girl I just saved from a burning building asks in a hushed, completely awestruck whisper. It’s amazing how people always ask who I am instead of, you know, thanking me, or better yet: getting the hell away so that they stay out of trouble and I don’t have to save them twice. I mean, someone saves your life and the first thing out of your mouth is “who are you?” Who the hell cares who I am? Worry about your now shortening lifespan!

             I sigh, “Not to be rude, but I really don’t have time for this right now. You see that building over there? I think I should go get the rest of the people out. So now if you’d stop clinging to me for dear life…” She doesn’t let go but starts kissing me. Passionately. Really? Not that I mind the kissing, but now?

“You’ve got to be kidding me.” I mumble, tearing her off me. Yeah, kiss the superhero when he needs to be saving people. That makes sense. “Listen, you’re hot, but I really have to go!”

You see, I have no trouble getting girls when I’m in the suit. But when I’m just plain old Seth Jackson? They don’t even look my way. Go figure right? You’d think my outlandish good looks would be enough. It’s not as if they can even see me in the suit. I could be Bernie Morris from Algebra II-- the kid with such bad acne that you could swear that he was born with tomato red skin"for all they know. But apparently the heroics and mystery make up for even that.

So, yeah. You’ve probably picked up that I’m a superhero by now. And what do all superheroes have in common? Superpowers. This is the part where you find out all about mine. Then you can start a shrine of me in you’re bedroom like the rest of the teenage girl populace. Unless you’re a dude. I mean, nothing against guys. But I don’t play that way; so don’t get you hopes up.

Anyway, it’s time to swoop in and save the day. For like the millionth time. You’d think that we’d be out of villains by now. Sigh. I guess that evil is programmed in human nature and is just waiting to leak out. That’s right. I just went all Yoda on this joint.

So, keeping up so far? Teenage guy in mask saving the world= best pickup ever. City that never sleeps = bad-guys don’t either and I have a really irregular sleep schedule. Oh, I didn’t mention that it’s about four in the morning? And I have a Biology exam tomorrow. Damn.  Burning building= well of course I have to save the people inside and beat up the evildoers. Cause I’m just that guy.

My lungs fill with smoke and I practically hack up a lung. Remind me to make this mask smoke resistant. Who ever heard of a superhero who couldn’t save people because he’s too busy dying of coughter? It’s a pain during allergy season but I just take like a thousand pills. I have a feeling Allegra isn’t gonna help me now.

Everything happens in slow-mo, like this is a freaking movie. No movie, this is my life.  A burning beam that was supposed to be supporting the ceiling fell, almost searing of my back. I wince. Okay, Seth, move it! Good thing that I have awesome reflexes. Just saying. Okay, considering that I almost just died (and I’m supposed to be invincible), I have to stop explaining things. Try your best to keep up.

“Help!” A scream rattles my foggy brain.  I speed toward it. I’m no Dash (from the Incredibles?) and I’m not Spiderman either (nah, that’s my older brother…just kidding). Me? I’m me. I’m fast but not like sonically and I can’t swing from spider webs (how do those even support him?!).

Now, your mind blown from the discovery that I exist, you must be wondering if all your favorite comic-book heroes exist, too. The answer is I don’t have a freaking clue. What do you think we do, all get together for lunch on Saturdays? We kinda have important things to do.

Anyway. Screaming person. Me running to it.  I reach it as another beams decides to fall…right above of the person I’m supposed be saving. Crap. I rush and brace myself as it comes down. Huh. Maybe I am Dash. It lands in my hands and I hold it above my head. Muscles hurt like hell. Not to mention that the flames are burning my flesh.

“Get. Away. From. Beam.” I manage to get in as my arms cry out in exertion. It takes all my power not to scream in total agony. Superheroes aren’t supposed to scream. Period. The middle-aged woman who was shrieking her head off stands there, stunned. “Now would be good.” I add. She finally comes to her senses and moves. But it looks like every ounce of her strength was used. She wasn’t the one who caught a burning beam.

I drag her out of the building, trying to ignore the pain in my hands as I do so. Her first words weren’t “Who are you?” they were something much, much worse. They were: “My baby!” I let out some colorful words.

“You’re baby was in there?” There is nothing I can do for it now; it must be long gone.

“My only child, my baby girl.” She begins to cry.

“Mom!” the girl that wanted to make-out earlier comes running toward us. I’m to depressed to care. It’s all my fault that this woman lost her baby. I should have been quicker. I should have"

“My baby!” The woman calls. And it seems to be directed toward the teenage girl.

“I told you that I’m not a baby.” The girl cries as she reaches us. Then they are hugging each other and sobbing into one another. I slowly try to back out unnoticed but the woman has to thank me for saving her daughter. Seriously, It’s kinda my job. It don’t need to be thanked, I have to go before someone starts asking questions that I can’t answer.

And of course the next thing out of the mom’s mouth is, “Who are you?” That would be one of those questions I mentioned earlier.

I pause for a moment, unsure how to respond. I mean, I can’t answer “Seth Jackson”, though that might help with getting me a girlfriend. So just use your superhero name, you say? That would be a great solution. Perfect, really. Except I don’t have one.

“Uh, I’m just a guy trying to help.” I answer.

“A guy in a mask? A guy who just happens to be in the neighborhood that can save people from burning apartment buildings before the firemen even have a chance to show up?” The daughter pipes. I glare at her, but she can’t she that behind the mask.

“A guy that can catch burning beams?” The mother asks, doubtfully.

“I guess so ma’am. But I really have to be getting home. Biology test"“ Crap. I gave away too much. 

The girl doesn’t miss a beat before asking, “Really? What school do you go to?”

“I really have to go.” I answer, quickly running away. I momentarily forgot that girl is in my Biology class.  

Author's Note

This is my first time really writing in a guy's point of view. There have been chapters in stories where I switched into another person's perspective, but only for that chapter. Guy's if I've written, something that's totally wrong or offends boy-kind as a whole, feel free to let me know

Reviews

[Odayin]

You have a very unique way of writing

[Legolas]

Great chapter!! I absolutly love it and am looking forward to more!

[Sylvana]

A superhero with no name? I wonder if his fans will give him one, or he gives himself one... or he just forever remains No-Name. No-Name to the rescue!
Good beginning chapter (:

[Sophie]

Hi. I'm going to make you all excited that you have a review. That's right. I'm a jerk, embrace the jerkliness.