Scene 5

As Andrew stepped into the office, a sharp scent of cinnamon filled his nose.
Gilben, seated behind his desk, took a sip of his coffee; his eyes widened the instant he saw him.
“Jesus Christ!”

Andrew’s fingers gestured aimlessly, pointing at nothing in particular.

“Sorry, it’s just—these past few days have been…” He let out a foolish little laugh at the end. “Have a seat,” he added, offering a gentle smile.

Andrew nodded.

“Lev told me you’d be coming—right, this…” Gilben began rummaging beneath his desk until he found a document and flipped it open. “Here we are, let’s see… Benjamin.”

Andrew blinked, uncertain.

“You’ve got quite a record. I like it.”

He turned the page toward him. Andrew leaned in to look—there was nothing. “There’s… nothing.”

“Exactly! That’s very good. Congratulations,” Gilben said. “Now then—you want to work with me. What are your abilities?”

The ability to bring about extermination.
But he wouldn’t say that.
“Pff—well… I can… scream.”

“Everyone can,” Gilben replied at once.

“But really loud, I mean—like, really loud… I can also… teleport,” Andrew explained, only halfway committing.

Gilben brought a hand to his chin, nodding slowly. “That’s good. Not many can do that.”

“Really?”

“Not that I know of.”

Andrew’s leg bounced incessantly. “Uh… I don’t have a license.”

Gilben smiled immediately. “That’s exactly what I’m looking for. You see,” he said, tilting his head slightly, “the government places far too many restrictions on licensed heroes… it ruins my plans. So I’m hiring illegal ones.”

Andrew clicked his tongue. “Ooooh… Oh.”

“You’re exactly what I need!” Gilben exclaimed. “Innocent, and with… spirit… though you do lack a bit of charisma.”

Andrew rolled his eyes. “Thanks.”

Innocent…

His gaze fell to his hand, but he pulled it away at once.
He clenched his fists.
“I don’t want to sound eager… but I’m in a bit of a bad financial situation, so… is there pay?”

Gilben let out a soft laugh. “Lev mentioned that. Don’t worry—there is.”

Levy was a savior.

Andrew let out a breath of relief.
“Well then, Benjamin—when would you like to start?”

Andrew’s eyelid twitched.
“Uh,” he said, his voice tight. “I don’t have much going on. As soon as possible is fine.”

Gilben’s smile stretched a little wider. “Then you’re in luck—there’s something today.”

“Today?” Andrew asked, his gaze uneasy.

“Yep. Today.”

Andrew forced a laugh that scraped his throat. “Oh… right. And what is it?”

Gilben leaned back in his chair, ready to explain. “A criminal escaped his cell a few hours ago—you know, from the northern prison. I need someone capable of stopping him. Think you can handle it?”

Andrew’s brow hardened.
He believed it with everything he had.
“Yes,” he answered simply.

Gilben nodded slowly, smiling. “You’ve got guts. I respect that.”

He opened a drawer and pulled out a communicator, tossing it onto the desk. “Put this on. I’ll give you instructions on the way.”

Andrew picked it up and placed it behind his ear before standing.
But just as he was about to leave, Gilben remembered something. “Wait.”

Andrew turned back, raising an eyebrow.

“Do you have a suit?”

No.

Andrew let out a small, awkward chuckle.

“Hold on, I’ve got a—” Gilben glanced to his right and spotted the old helmet from his motorcycle. “That.”

He stood quickly and grabbed it.
Walking over, he handed it to Andrew. “So you can cover your face a bit—you know… the visor only hides your eyes, but still. For the whole screaming thing.”

“Oh… right. Thanks.”

Gilben gave him a light pat on the shoulder and one last smile, full of faith.

Andrew looked at the helmet—it was black, with a sleek design.
Slowly, he put it on. It wasn’t tight, nor loose—perfectly balanced. The tinted visor still allowed him to see through.
He looked at his hands one last time.
They didn’t seem as dirty anymore.
He let them fall.
“I’ll be back,” Andrew said.

Gilben smiled as he watched him go.
“Good kid,” he murmured. “We need more like him.”