The TV showed various images of Achilles and his Legion battling what the media was calling "A New Villain - Paris the Poisoner." Over the images, the newscasters continued talking about the current biggest story in Arx.
"The military was left unable to intervene due to Paris' use of Achilles as a human shield. A military spokesperson explained that they were unable to intervene because of the unknown nature of the gas in the area. Reports say that Achilles and another Legion member were hospitalized after exposure. The other three at the meeting have not been hospitalized according to our sources, but we don't yet know how they've been affected.
"Several people remember this moment, when Jumper, who was also at the Phantasma incident, captured Paris and fled. Paris later escaped, reportedly by throwing Jumper from the Top back down to the Business District. Jumper was not available for an interview, but fellow Legion member Lightning offered us a few minutes of her time."
The screen changed to a video of Lightning standing near the scene of the carnage, a microphone pointed towards her.
"We did the best we could to prevent any damage to the people of Arx. Even if Paris got away this time, we'll be keeping an eye out. If he shows up again, we'll be ready." After the clip, the newscasters resumed.
"In the meantime, the military is advising everyone to be wary of similar attacks in the future. Know your escape routes and be ready to evacuate. Schools are already discussing measures for next year, and plan to have emergency drills on a more regular basis."
Bruce flicked off the TV and sighed.
"They couldn't wait on talking about this until they had more information? We saw all this yesterday," his wife, Rebecca, said. She was, as always, focused on her tablet.
"Is it gonna be super dangerous outside?" The voice came from Opal, Bruce and Rebecca's youngest kid. She was only ten, so Bruce tried to think of a way to reassure her.
"We'll be fine, Opal," Quincy, his oldest, replied. "They haven't found Phantasma either and it's already been over a month. I bet you Paris gets scared of the heroes and hides in a hole for the rest of his life." Despite the reassuring words, Bruce saw some nervousness on Quincy's face.
"Just make sure you listen to the adults," Rebecca said, looking up from her legal documents.
"Okay." Opal snuggled up next to her dad. "Hey, can we watch something else?"
"What do you want to watch?" Bruce asked, turning on the TV and looking through their streaming services.
"Not the thing with the unicorns," Iliana, Opal's older sister, replied coldly.
"Just for that, we should watch the unicorns," Quincy joked, prompting a glare from Iliana.
"Unicorns! Unicorns!" Opal bounced next to him as Bruce laughed and selected the appropriate show while Iliana groaned loudly.
As the show started, though, his phone began to ring. The number was unfamiliar, so Bruce got up and left the room to take the call.
"Hello?"
"Hi, is this Mr. Bruce Garcia?" The voice on the other end sounded like a young man.
"Speaking. What can I do for you?"
"I'm sure you're aware that Achilles has been hospitalized after yesterday. We've developed a special medical team for the Legion, and he suggested you be added to it. I'm calling to talk about that."
"Me? Added to the team? You know I'm not a doctor, right?"
"Achilles explained that you have some kind of Miracle that allows you to speed up the healing of wounds, and that you used it on Jumper previously. Is that right?"
"Yes, but I don't know if I should be added to a hospital team..." Bruce glanced towards his kids as he spoke.
"It would be a temporary job while the Hero Emergency Unit is active. Mostly to make sure Achilles and the other heroes are able to respond as quickly as possible."
"Could you give me some time to discuss it with my wife?" Bruce asked slowly. "And I don't know how much time I can commit to the hospital. I have three kids, and I'll be starting school in the fall."
"School?"
"I'd like to be a doctor if I can. I know it might be a bit late in life, but I thought it'd be the best way to use this Miracle."
"Of course. I'll talk with the head of the hospital as well about the logistics. If you're studying medicine, this could also be a good opportunity for you."
"Okay. I'll call you back tomorrow?"
"I can call you Wednesday actually. If you wouldn't mind dropping by tomorrow or Monday to help Achilles, that would be great, but I don't know when I'll be able to talk to the head. He's rather busy a lot of the time."
"Understandable. Then I'll aim to be there tomorrow, and wait for your call on Wednesday."
"Sounds good. By the way, my name's Alec. I'm one of the nurses."
"Thanks, Alec. Talk to you soon."
"Bye." They hung up the phone and Bruce sighed heavily.
He went back into the living room and paused the show to tell everyone what he'd just been called about.
Joey's mouse hovered over the button to submit. The form before him had to do with dropping out of school. He'd been granted leave after the accident, and now...
He had time now because there wasn't much to occupy him, but before long school would resume and he wasn't confident he could juggle hero work and homework. He could feel something coming. Like in a movie when you see an ominous half-scene that doesn't bode well.
Would Achilles have what it took to handle everything? The Paris incident implied that he would definitely not. And the only one who'd been able to fix it had been Jumper.
The responsibility gathered heavily in his stomach like an iron ball.
Did he have a choice? Technically yes, but if he stayed out, people would get hurt. And that would weigh more heavily on his conscience than anything. Anxiety made his hands start shaking and Joey moved to his bed, curling up under a blanket and trying to steady his breathing.
Why him?
Why was he chosen? Was Achilles right and the purple figure saw the wave of villains coming? Was that why they'd granted Miracles to others? If so, then did he have some kind of responsibility?
What was so special about Joseph Queen? Why had he been given a Miracle?
A knock on the door pulled Joey back to reality. He took a breath and went to get it. Ned was standing on the other side.
"Hey. You haven't been out of your room much today and I was wondering what's up." Ned's eyes flickered between Joey's and the baseboard.
"Oh." Joey looked away awkwardly. "It's nothing. Sorry to worry you."
"Can I come in?"
"Sure." Joey headed in and sat on the bed, while Ned closed the door behind him.
Ned glanced at the computer and noticed what was on it. His eyes widened and Joey cursed himself for not minimizing the window.
"What's that...?"
"I...don't think I can go back to school." Joey held his knees to his chest and did his best to keep his voice level. Ned took another look at the monitor and then sat down beside him.
"Why not?"
"I..."
He couldn't tell the truth here. It would make everything worse. Anxiety clawed at the inside of his chest as Joey slowly came up with a lie.
"It's getting more dangerous. And I've been away for so long, I'm not sure if that's what I want anymore." Ned knelt forward in thought.
"Mom and Dad are gonna be mad. Or disappointed at least. But I get it. School sucks." Joey felt himself forgetting his own problems when Ned mentioned the ones he'd dealt with.
The kid had been bullied constantly since he entered high school. And he didn't do overly well with a classroom setting either. Ned had already been quite vocal about not wanting to go to school after he graduated, much to their parents' dismay. Joey couldn't help but laugh a bit.
"Then I guess you and me are gonna be the same." He flung an arm around Ned. "Mom and Dad won't be happy, but that's fine. I'll find a job instead, and then maybe we can move out together somewhere."
"Only after I get my job," Ned replied with a smirk.
"Fine. I'll save up and wait for you to graduate. Let me know if you need help with homework."
"Sure thing. So you gonna submit that?" Ned jerked his head towards the computer.
"Yeah." Joey stood up and clicked the button.
It was final. His path would be that of a superhero, unknown to everyone around him. But he could probably live with it. Even if he'd wanted really badly to study psychology, some things needed him more. Or rather, needed Jumper.
"Wanna go play video games?" Joey asked, glancing back at Ned.
"Sure. But this time I'm setting you on a single-player adventure game."
"What? Single-player?" Joey made a dramatic show of falling over. "I'm soooooooo dead."
"Nah, you'll be fine," Ned laughed. He grabbed his brother's hand and dragged him out of the room.
Joey laughed along with him. These simple moments were worth far more than anything else.
