Chapter Eleven #2
“And yes, I did ruin his life, or at least I can see how he would have that point of view.” Weariness spread over Dave’s face.
“After a few years with Slip on my team, something started to feel off to me. Little interactions, the way he kept his family isolated, how his wife didn’t come to company dinners even when other spouses were invited, or when she did she kept to herself.
To make a long story short, Slip abused his wife on a daily basis.
I was able to find evidence of this, and it cost him his career.
This also allowed his wife to file a restraining order and gain full custody of young Katie.
Slip, however, wasn’t the sort to take this lying down. ”
Apparition’s hands shook. “I’m Katie, aren’t I?”
“Yes. I mean, if you want a DNA test to be certain, I can arrange that, but we confirmed your father’s identity last night, and we know he kidnapped his daughter roughly fifteen years ago, shortly after the divorce.”
“And my mother?” Apparition’s voice came out hoarse, as if she were about to start crying.
“I wish I’d done more to protect her,” Dave said. “I really thought it was over, but before his trial, your father jumped bail and tracked your mother down at a DOSA safehouse. He broke in, attacked her, and took you away. DOSA could never pick up his trail.”
Shawn’s heart further hardened towards the man he’d killed. He slipped an arm around Apparition’s shoulders.
“Are you all right?” he murmured.
Tears streamed down her face, and she shook her head. “He ... he always told me that my mom had died. He never told me ... he never told me he killed her.”
“He didn’t.” Dave frowned.
Apparition went rigid in Shawn’s arms. “What?”
A slow smile spread across Dave’s face, and Shawn’s chest lightened in anticipation.
“Your mother isn’t dead, Katie. She’s alive, and she never stopped looking for you.”
Apparition collapsed against Shawn in a quivering mess. “She ... she ... my mom?”
“I actually stopped to get her before I flew out here,” Dave continued. “She wanted to rush right in and see you, but I thought you might need to be prepared, especially since I didn’t know what your father had told you about her.”
Apparition gasped. “Let me see her! I need ... I need to!”
“Of course.” Dave stood and started towards the door.
Shawn squeezed Apparition closer for a moment before releasing her and stepping back. The door opened, and a woman of about forty with white streaked red hair stepped inside. She stared wide-eyed at the girl in the hospital bed.
“Katie?” she breathed.
“Mom?” Apparition whispered.
Apparition’s mom rushed to her. In seconds the women were sobbing into each other, holding on for dear life.
Dave made eye contact with his son before motioning towards the door. Shawn nodded and followed his dad into the hall. They closed the door behind them.
Emotions swirled in Shawn’s chest. Katie—yeah, he could see her as a Katie. This felt right.
“You managed to trip your way into another bout of superheroing in spite of my dire warnings,” his father said, dryly.
Shawn laughed. “I guess I did, but again very unintentionally.”
“Well, in this case, I’m grateful,” his father sighed. “It allowed me to right a wrong fifteen years in the making. No more for a while, all right? I think you’ve given me a dozen new gray hairs this week alone.”
“Oh, don’t worry. I’m hanging up the metaphorical cape until at least the end of the school year,” Shawn promised. “Though, I think I’m even more sure than ever that DOSA is where I’m meant to end up.”
“I’m afraid you’re doomed to it.” Dave shook his head.
“Well, if it helps, you’ve shown what I’d consider admirable instinct so far, but even more importantly, you’ve got the right heart.
With everything that happened between you and that girl, it could’ve gone very differently when she confronted you.
Let’s just say I’m glad I got to tell Jessie Miller we found her daughter alive and well rather than having her identify a body. ”
“I’m glad too,” Shawn murmured.
“Speaking of the girl, how are you holding up?” His father searched his face. “I don’t know the full story, but with the bits and pieces you’ve dropped, I can’t imagine this is easy for you.”
“Easy, no, but ... it’s not exactly hard either.” Shawn glanced at the closed door to her room. “Dad, I know this is crazy, but even though she lied to me—I’ve never felt this way about anyone before. I don’t know if I’m falling in love or going insane, but either way, I can’t shake it.”
Dave nodded. “Love and insanity share a strange amount of attributes. Take it slow, though, son. That girl’s been through a lot. Give her some time to find out who she is, all right?”
“I will, sir,” Shawn promised. A yawn overtook him, and he covered his mouth with his hand. “Sorry. Long night.”
“I bet.” Dave looked around. “Do you know a good place to get coffee?”
Shawn smiled. “Yeah, I think I do.”
They started to walk, but before they’d gotten more than a few steps, the door at the end of the hall opened and a petite woman with blonde hair streaked with blue emerged. Her eyes lit up with recognition, and she called out, “Hello, Verve.”
Dave arched his eyebrows. “Prism, have you been hiding a speed related secondary ability? I feel like I just emailed you.”
“It was a few hours ago, but I was only a city over, seeing to some SVR related business.” She stopped in front of the two men.
“Shawn, this is Lucia Powell, AKA Prism, the mastermind behind the Supervillain Rehabilitation Project,” Dave explained.
Prism’s eyes widened. “This is Shawn? From the way your email was phrased, I was kind of expecting a teenager.”
“In fairness, I’m not much beyond that.” Shawn rubbed the back of his neck.
“What about the girl? You did say she was a teen.” Prism pulled out her phone and checked the email. “Yeah, says so right here, ‘My son, Shawn, got involved with a teenaged supervillain who I think is a perfect fit for the SVR.’” She frowned. “So, how old is she?”
“She’s nineteen,” Shawn volunteered.
“Oh, okay.” Prism slipped her phone into her pocket. “Sorry, we’ve recently started a separate program for at risk sable minors, and I got a little excited about having a new subject. So, you meant the SVR proper, then, not the youth branch?”
Shawn blinked. How many supervillain related programs did DOSA have going right now?
“Yes, the adult one. Sorry, I guess I let my dad instincts show when describing Apparition. Honestly, both her and Shawn seem like kids to me.” Dave pulled a face.
“I’m sure we’ll have room for her. We’ve just opened several new SVR satellite branches, so we even have options for where we assign her.” Prism glanced around the men. “Is this a good time for me to meet her?”
“Not really,” Shawn said quickly.
“She was just reunited with her mother after a lengthy absence,” Dave explained. “I’d like to give them some breathing room.”
“Of course. Do you have a little time to fill me in on how you found her? I mean, there are two ways to read the word ‘involved’ in your email.” She considered Shawn.
“Did your dad mean you were somehow in cahoots with her criminally or did he mean involved romantically, if you don’t mind me asking? ”
Shawn’s cheeks heated. “The second. We ... uh ... it’s kind of a long story. I promise, I’m not usually the sort of loon who would choose to date a supervillain.”
Prism’s eyebrows shot up. “Yeah, only loons do that.”
Dave smirked. “Son, you might want to back down from that stance. Prism here is married to former supervillain and masterthief, Fade ... what’s his last name again?”
“Also Powell. He took my name after the wedding.”
“Uh ... sorry.” Shawn wished he had Apparition’s powers so he could disappear into the wall.
“I’m not that sensitive. I’d be the first to admit, most supervillains aren’t relationship material.
” Prism fiddled with her wedding ring. “That said, the whole point of the Supervillain Rehabilitation Project is second chances. Fade got his, and he’s now a stellar hero and frankly an amazing partner, both in life and work.
” She smiled warmly at Shawn. “Let’s see if we can give your girlfriend the same fresh start in life he got, all right? ”
Shawn’s tension eased. Maybe this would turn out all right after all. Maybe he and Apparition—Katie, his Katie—had a chance to make this work.