2.16 – Anything That Can Go Wrong…

“Go ahead and finish your steak,” Aurora told Sarah as she stood, staring at Black Angel. Sarah checked back over her shoulder to see what had caught Aurora’s interest so intently, tilting her head.

“Oh, uh, thank you, but why are you spacing out?” Sarah asked.

“It’s nothing. I’ll just be in the ladies' room for a few,” Aurora replied calmly, tossing in a disarming wink even as she steeled herself against the possibility of having to fight Black Angel.

She moved quickly into the bathroom, ready for action, but didn’t see anything right away. It was a single toilet bathroom, offering some privacy, so she locked the door. After a moment, she turned towards the mirror—and she was there.

Aurora spun to confront Black Angel, but the villainess wasn’t behind her.

“You have no idea the trouble it’s been to even try to make contact with you,” Black Angel spoke, her voice coming evenly from every direction. Aurora turned to face her in the mirror, locking eyes with the dark figure as she went on. “Well, I’m sure you remember it fondly. I want to say that you can’t get rid of me so easily, though as you see, there’s not much I can do.”

As she spoke, the ne'er-do-well walked towards Aurora in the reflection, reaching out from the mirror to touch Aurora’s face. The moment her fingers made contact, she yanked back as though scalded, her expression twisting in irritation.

Black Angel shook her head. “How truly vexing. There’s nothing I can do to you,” she said, frustration leaking into her voice. “You have no idea how difficult it has been just to arrange this little conversation with you. But I suppose that’s all spilt milk under the bridge now, ha. I wanted us to start fresh since our first encounter left plenty to be desired.” She put on a megawatt smile, the kind reserved for reuniting with an old friend. “Let’s be friends from now on, hm?”

Black Angel started to pace back and forth around the room in the mirror even as Aurora glared daggers at the villainess, trying to figure out how to react to the situation. “I know something’s been troubling you, and I think I know just the way to help. I can feel it… something offends you, something hurts you… so let me out for, let’s say… an hour. I’ll happily help fix all those pesky concerns right up!” She pressed her thumb to her index finger, as if bartering. “Just for an hour. A pittance to solve your problems. What do you say to that?” She beamed brightly, narrowing her eyes to flutter her lashes at Aurora.

“I kind of sensed you were still skulking about in my head but isn’t the market for deals like that already cornered by devils? I’m disappointed you’ve sunk to such cliches. And for the record, I can deal with my own problems, thanks,” Aurora sighed. “I wouldn’t be much of a person if I couldn’t handle this much. No one said life was going to be easy. Being a good person sometimes means not doing things the way that would only best serve yourself.”

Aurora kept her eyes firmly fixed on the trickster on the other side of the glass. “Yeah, I will admit that I’m extremely annoyed, frustrated… I feel powerless. Sarah is staying committed even if the camp is mistreating her, and I suspect it’s worse than she says. You can see that thousand-mile stare when she talks about certain things.” Taking a breath to rein in her emotions, Aurora had to consciously unclench her fists before her nails dug too deeply into her palms.

“The fact is I’m seriously reflecting on my feelings at the moment. It’s looking hopeless, and some things aren’t meant to be,” she admitted. “Bottom line: ‘what will be, will be.’ I don’t want her to get hurt, but I have to be patient and help her as a friend.”

“You know, I have some experience with cults,” Black Angel shrugged, her entire demeanor unnervingly casual, like this was a simple chat between old chums. “I started a few back in my day, mostly for experimentation. If you fear brainwashing, the simplest thing to do is to eliminate the cult in question. I wouldn’t mind sparing an hour—and dismantling their little camp for you.”

Black Angel’s gleeful expression took a darker turn, her smile twisting into something sharper. “Wrathful and direct, yes… and I won’t even injure anyone you would want to spare. What do you say to that?”

Aurora glared at Black Angel again. “No. I won’t give you a toehold. Under no circumstances. I knew that if I accepted this power, I’d always face the possibility of ending up like you did, but I won’t let that happen. In terms you might understand, denying your corruption is for my own sake above anyone else’s.

Sarah can do what she wants and live how she wishes. It’s not my business to force my beliefs on others. The law protects them because they have a right to do what they do as long as foolish parents like hers give them that power.

I will not, however, take those responsibilities and choices into my own hands. I won’t be like you.”

Aurora sighed heavily as Black Angel began to fade, her form dissolving into the shadows of the mirror.

Black Angel scowled, her voice dripping with contempt. “Then you’re a fool. A ‘hero’ is supposed to save people, no? You’d stand by and let those hapless idiots burn alive or choke on poison just because their so-called leaders demanded it—because they were stupid enough to follow? That’s pathetic.” She snarled.

Aurora turned her back on Black Angel and unlocked the bathroom door. Black Angel yelled after Aurora, “You know I’m right! You know it! ...Very well, farewell for now, but thank you for one thing at least,” she said, her voice changing to a less strident tone as it faded.

“I got to know a little more about my new best friend.”

And she was gone again.

Aurora had no doubt they’d be having another ‘chat’ soon. The villainess wasn’t entirely wrong—but this was the age-old debate about a hero’s code: If you had the power to prevent harm, how far should you go to protect people from themselves? Ask ten people, and you’d get twelve different answers.

After countless discussions on message boards and observing heroes across the world, Aurora had already made her choice. She followed the gold standard—Vanguard’s example. He believed that privacy and personal freedom mattered more than absolute security, and she shared that view. There were always exceptions, of course, but those would have to be judgment calls—just like every hero faced in the chaos of the real world.

Stepping out of the bathroom, Aurora looked directly at the table only to find the police were there with Sarah. She recognized one of the officers from when she and Quinn had been arrested outside the Camp a few days back.

They were speaking with Sarah, but their backs were currently turned away from the restrooms. She’d somehow managed to position them so they wouldn’t see Aurora when she came out. Aurora turned away and listened.

“...I have no idea,” Sarah said, “she left a while ago. And for the millionth time, I’ve never met her before today and have no idea if she knows me from anywhere. Does this have anything to do with the rumors at camp?”

“These are just regular questions,” that same recognizable officer spoke, “the director is very worried about you, let’s get you back.”

“Do you think she might come back?” Sarah asked.

“We don’t know, Miss Namias. Let’s go, come on.” He pulled out a pair of handcuffs. Aurora’s eyes widened. The contrast between the words and the officer’s actions were at odds. They were going to arrest a child? For what? She wasn’t resisting!

“Wait a minute, I’m not resisting you, I’m just saying maybe if you think there’s something going on… maybe you should call my parents and let me go home?” Sarah asked, half-pleading. She DID want out from the camp!

The officer ignored Sarah and handcuffed her. “Ow! That’s too tight!” Sarah complained.

“A lot of kids try to run off early from the camp. I’m not taking any chances,” the officer said. “Now let’s go before you cause any more of a scene.”

“Ow… stop pulling so hard,” Sarah protested as they almost lifted her right from the chair and marched her away. Aurora changed her hair color and clothes to a business suit, her eyes narrowing. She snarled angrily.

Sarah looked like a frightened little helpless animal, trapped. Looking over her shoulder, she spotted Aurora and seemed as though she was going to say something, but she bit her lip, blushed, and looked down. Her face softened as if to say, ‘Thanks for trying anyway.’

Aurora pulled out her wallet and dropped fifty dollars on the table. She didn’t know how much the bill would be, and they didn’t deserve it if they sold them out to the police, but right was right.

She stepped out after the police and, as they started loading Sarah up into the back of their squad car, Aurora transformed. She couldn’t let what was happening go without speaking her piece.

There was an explosion of light, and she spread her wings wide after the door behind her closed. “A moment of your time, officers. I understand what you’re doing here and what your concerns are. However, I must explain why I asked for Ms. Sarah’s cooperation. My name is Aurora. I’m a new superhero in the area. I’m here to investigate the camp. I’m certain you’re aware of their practices.”

The officers turned quickly in alarm, putting their hands to their sidearms. Hearing that her voice was full of reason, they didn’t draw but remained at the ready. The officer she was familiar with gestured for his partner to continue into the car. “I’ve heard about you. Weren’t you out blasting that construction site in Seaside City? What brought you there from this ‘case’ of yours? Maybe you’d better come back to the station and explain about what you’re looking for up in the camp.”

He adjusted his shoulders while maintaining his semi-aggressive stance. “If you’re looking for a cult, you’re in the wrong place. The Padua Realignment Camp in Junker is a legitimate enterprise,” he said, gesturing for her to follow him to the car.

Aurora let her wings retract a little and looked at the officer. “Where I come from, we don’t treat children so harshly. The cuffs are out of line, officer. Do you not know how the children at that Camp are treated? They’re kept out from the sun all but for one day. The Sun is lifesblood for all, particularly my people, but without it you wouldn’t be here. We have a great affinity for the Sun, we all do. And it is very important to the growth of a child. This so-called camp does nothing but drill scriptures into the children’s heads. They’re basically brainwashing the kids into a specific product. And on the other end, someone’s making money off of all this. One might say it’s a legitimate and legal enterprise, but it’s really just a legal concentration camp. All that said and then you come along and nothing you’re doing makes sense to me in the slightest.”

“Well, Miss Aurora, those are some serious allegations you’ve leveled. A lot of us in town find the good people of the camp help to reinforce the positive traits of all good children that need to grow right. I think we may want to first address the kidnapping charge.”

“She did NOT kidnap me!” Sarah yelled from inside the Police car, having listened to every word. “She’s new here, and, um. I came by choice! It was not against my will.”

The officer turned towards Sarah, pressed against the window. “Then you’re admitting that you did want to run from the camp?”

“No,” Sarah responded. “I didn’t say that. I just wanted to help her out.”

“So you know her personally?” the officer asked, “you already said you didn’t know her before.”

“Well, um…” Sarah looked at Aurora.

Aurora put on a reassuring smile. “She doesn’t know me, officers. Or rather, didn’t prior to today. I saw her in the yard picking berries and I landed beside her. I asked her if she’d mind coming for a flight for a short time and answer some questions about how happy she was, and how well she was treated.

I’ve come to understand that the food is unpleasant there. I figured it would be more than fair to compensate her for her time and what the camp had put her through with a fine meal. And since I didn’t want anyone staring at her or being too nosy, I changed my appearance so we would have some peace.

Sarah is a good girl, I’ve found. Very obedient. She’s already explained quite a bit about how the camp operates and I don’t approve of their methods.” Aurora crossed her arms beneath her breasts. “It’s hard to understand why anyone would willingly subject their child to that kind of ‘treatment,’ in either sense of the word. There are parents who medicate their children for being joyful and happy. That makes the experience a bit more convenient, even if it means their organs are damaged for life to give them a wink of peace.”

“Yeah, I’m tired of oatmeal and hot dogs!” Sarah yelled with a broad smile. “I’m totally sick of it!”

“Yeah, yeah, your file says you don’t like hot dogs,” the officer quipped. “At any rate, this sounds like it might be a misunderstanding all around. I'll tender your apologies to the camp on your behalf if you promise to stay out of town’s airspace for the time being,” he said, “but if they decide to press charges, we’ll need your contact information.”

“Speak with Detective Ben Kirby of the San Isidro Police Department. He’s my case worker or whatever you’d call it.” Aurora put her hands on her hips. “And are you sure you want me to stay away? ‘Misunderstanding’ or not, if something happens here that needs a superhero’s assistance, would you NOT be grateful for help? The area isn’t exactly burgeoning with superhero presences.” Aurora stated, perplexed.

“I wouldn’t need to speak with Sarah again in the near term, especially not since she answered my questions, but do Sarah a favor and at least take those cuffs off her.” Her eyes had fallen upon Sarah’s raised up wrists when she pressed up against the window.

“We find that outsiders, especially from the big city, think they know better than us and don’t have a lot of respect for us lowly rural types. We’ve done just fine here without any super-people, especially people who engage in backhanded blasphemy.” This officer was clearly biased. “If we need you, we’ll call your ‘caseworker’ as you say.”

“I’m okay! You hear me?” Sarah yelled loudly. “I’m fine!” Sarah sounded unconvincing, but she did her best.

“All right then, y'all have a good day,” the officer said to Aurora with a tight-lipped frown and a clear sense he was done being civil.

Aurora shook her head and spread her wings, taking off. Nothing had gone like she’d hoped it would. She’d even thought she’d been lucky when Sarah was right there when she arrived! How laughable.

She knew it couldn’t all go well and that things probably weren’t as bad as she was afraid they were, but now she knew more about Sarah’s situation and how she felt. When it came down to it, she was more honest than she could be when they were alone.

She did her best to empty her mind as she beat wing home, tears in her eyes for her powerlessness.