Chapter Text
~The oldest and strongest emotion of mankind is fear, and the oldest and strongest kind of fear is the fear of the unknown~
-H. P. Lovecraft
4th April
The crowd was comparatively less today. The café Tom worked at was a pretty popular one, so today was unusual. It kept him busy for most of the day and kept his mind off things. The owner of the shop being a mean old guy was not always the best thing, but the job paid enough to not mind. Plus, Tom was a fast worker, which made him the most frequent ‘Employee of the month.’
The Young Avengers had broken up into two fragments around late-January. Elijah, Cassie, David & Noh-Varr had ‘different ideologies’ when it came to fighting crime. They believed that the justice system was free and fair. They believed that the criminals would get their deserved punishment if they were handed over to the police.
On the other hand, Tommy, Kate, Billy and Teddy believed in the more direct approach. The criminals they fought, all deserved to die gruesome deaths. Yes, if they were small thieves or burglars – the young avengers would let them go. But usually, that wasn’t the case. The usual criminals were rapists, serial killers, mass murderers or criminal masterminds who had a web of crimes that led up to them.
Billy was initially critical of their approach, but he eventually understood how all his friends were wronged by the judiciary. Tommy was held against his will and repeatedly experimented on in a lab for two years. Kate’s rapists were never put to trial let alone in jail.
S.H.I.E.L.D had taken authority of both these fragments of the young avengers and after a long phase of convincing, they finally accepted them as two teams, who would operate separately. For separate crimes and in separate areas. Plus, they also paid well.
So, all of that brings us to Thomas Shepherd. Part time café worker, full-time superhero. He had always wondered why no one recognised him as Speed. Maybe because no one expected a superhero to be working at a coffee shop. Or they just didn’t care enough about café workers to notice.
He was taking the order of a table with a group of friends. One especially cute guy was eyeing him. Why wouldn’t he? Tommy was as handsome as they came. He flashed a grin at the guy and went back to the kitchen. An invitation.
When he went back to the counter, the cute guy was standing over asking for a black coffee.
“What’s your name?” asked Tom. He needed to know that to write it on the cup, obviously. No other reasons.
“It’s Luke.” Said the guy, smiling.
They decided to meet later that evening for activities.
A dark-haired girl seemed to be sleeping head down on one table.
Should I wake her?
Tom tried the “excuse me” but that didn’t work. She didn’t even flinch. So, he hesitantly reached for her shoulder, but just before he could touch her, she jerked awake.
Her eyes were wide and she was panting heavily, as if she had a jump scare. When it was really him who had the scare. From her.
He almost shrieked a loud ‘what the fuck’ but…work ethics. So, he tried to appear as calm as possible and said, “Can I help you?”
Surprisingly, the girl smiled, although her eyes looked tired. She said in an expressionless tone, “Do I have to get something?”
There was something very annoying and rude about the way she looked up at him. Her brown eyes were narrowed in a crude manner.
“Well, if you want to continue sitting – sorry – sleeping here, you need to buy something.”
“Okay then get me the cheapest thing you have.” Oh Lord, this bitch is infuriating.
Normally, Tom would’ve asked if she was waiting for someone – his way of asking if she was single or not – because she was pretty easy on the eyes. But considering how she was knocked out a minute ago and her annoying voice – she probably had a toxic love life.
(Don’t question how he got to that conclusion. He just did. It was a feeling.)
(And yes, he was attracted to toxic people but at least they weren’t as annoying.)
Tom went back to the kitchen to get the driest muffin. It was the cheapest, hence it was also the most tasteless thing he had ever had. That shit tasted like wet sandpaper – without the crunch of sand. (He has tasted sand.)
When, he went back to her table, she wasn’t exactly sleeping but she was zoned out. She was staring into nothingness. Her dark brown eyes were clearly drowsy but…sleepless. Her hair of a similar shade was also a mess. Looked like she had a tough day.
“There you go. The cheapest thing we have.” Tommy tried to be polite.
Instead of a jump scare, she slowly turned her head towards him. He wondered if she was somehow possessed by a demon. Considering the things he had witnessed throughout the past five years…he wouldn’t be surprised if it really was the case. This is how every horror movie character behaved like. Although he had never seen one set in a coffee shop.
To his surprise, the girl smiled genuinely this time and said, “Can you please get me a black coffee too? I’m desperate for some caffeine.” Gone was the rude and annoying voice. Instead, she just sounded tired and exhausted person after a rough day at work. It made him almost feel sorry for getting her that sandpaper muffin. Almost. First impressions matter.
“Hey…I’m real sorry for talking like that before. It’s just…it’s been a bad day.”
Now he was surely feeling bad for getting her that sandpaper.
“It’s okay. I’ve dealt with worse.” He answered.
Tommy went back to bring her the black coffee, but caught himself staring at her, occasionally.
What? She is very pretty.
First, she eyed the muffin for a few seconds like she was suspicious of it. then she raised the plate to her nose and took five or six short sniffs. Tommy was sure that she smelt absolutely nothing. Then she slowly lowered the plate on the table. She never even attempted to eat it.
She took a sip of the coffee immediately after he served it to her. (Note to self: that coffee was extremely hot.)
“Whoa, that’s really hot. How are you not wincing in pain right now?”
“I’m trying to burn my taste receptors, so it’s easier for me to eat that muffin.” Aw, that’s sad.
“You haven’t taken a bite yet, so I can take it back. You don’t have to suffer through that.”
She smiled again. “That’s very kind but I wanna see what kind of torture you wanted to put me through.”
Well, that is accidentally really hot. A few images might have crossed his mind.
He had wanted to see the look on her face when she ate it, but his boss yelled, “Stop flirting with customers and get to work.”
~
Tommy got off work at about seven thirty. Luke had left with his friends about an hour ago.
The air was warmer than usual. Had summer come early this year? The sun had set only minutes ago and it left its coral lights splattered across the sky.
“Hey! Tom, right?” asked a male voice from behind him. It was Luke. His smile was cute. That was about the only insight Tommy had on him.
Tom turned around and replied, “You can call me Tommy. I don’t really go by Tom.”
They walked together to a nearby street. It was comparatively secluded. After talking about meaningless nonsense for five minutes, Tom finally said, “When you wanted to meet again, was it only for talking or…”
Luke smiled and then pulled him closer. He said in a hurry, “Definitely not just for talking.”
Tommy pinned Luke against the wall and they kissed for some time.
It’s hard to say how long because Tommy’s perception of time is slightly different from the average human being. (So, we are going to stick to ‘some amount of time’)
Tommy was just about to unbutton Luke’s shirt when they heard a loud noise from the back of the street. As if bricks and concrete were broken because of a huge impact.
Tommy’s mind was torn between investigating what the sound was and checking if someone was in danger…or to satisfy his lust. Ultimately the dignified and honourable part of him won.
Tom slowly approached the dark corner. Unusually dark. The rest of surroundings still had a hint of twilight.
Luke kept his hand on Tommy’s shoulder and said, “Whoa, slow down.”
Right, he was walking ‘slowly’ on his terms; not of a normal human. Tom made sure Luke was behind him. Can’t risk anymore blood on his hands.
The more they neared the darkness, a form solidified at the centre. It was a human. The walls around them were cracked. A few cracked bricks were scattered around them. It was a girl.
She must have heard them coming because she snapped her heard up and that thick darkness disappeared. Her face became clear. It was that dark haired girl from the coffee shop.
So, he was right. She really was possessed by a demon. And Tom really was stuck in a horror movie.
“Did I ruin your evening?” said the brunette.
“Yeah, you did.” Luke rudely answered. The question wasn’t even directed towards him.
“Are you a vampire?” asked Tommy. What a nice question.
She rolled her eyes at Luke and scoffed at Tommy. “Remember how I said that I was having a bad day? Well, this is the reason.”
Luke looked dumbfounded. His stare oscillated between Tommy and the stranger. Tom repeated his previous question, but slower this time, “Are you…. a vampire, then?”
“What? No! of course not. What made you think so?” she said.
Tommy stopped Luke from stepping any closer to her. What he didn’t understand was why Luke was shifting in his place so much? Is he really that scared?
Tommy had to ask, “How did you break the wall? You a mutant?”
“Probably, yeah.” She said nonchalantly.
Luke had an obvious uncomfortable look on his face. Tommy asked quietly, “You alright?”
Luke tried to laugh it off, but it came out drier than intended.
“Are you alarmed that I’m a mutant?” the girl said in a very sweet voice, contradicting her words.
Luke widened his eyes, denying her implication. “Oh, no no…. of course not. It’s just… I don’t know. I feel weird. I-I really look up to mutants. It’s not what you think.”
The girl smiled genuinely again – dropping her contradictory smile. She said, “Aw, thanks! It’s nothing much. Just moving things without touching them.”
Is she bipolar or something? And is she flirting with Luke?
“Telekinesis. Right?” Luke kept his head down. Never once did he look at her.
Tommy sensed his discomfort. (Though he couldn’t figure out why). So, before this conversation could continue any longer, he cut Luke off, “I think we’re done here. Hey, Luke, come on. We have unfinished business.”
Tommy guided him away from there. He didn’t know why but there was something off about the girl. He couldn’t quite put his finger on it. But that darkness…it was uncanny.
~
All the while he was with Luke, Tom couldn’t shake that feeling of unease. Luke left at about eleven that night.
Tommy had to do something about that tickling feeling at the back of his mind. He had to go back there. To that darkness of that street. So, he did.
It was about eleven fifteen. The street was pitch black. Such a place was hard to find in New York City. He turned on the flashlight of his phone.
At first glance, there was nothing unusual about the place. It was a fairly normal backstreet. He had been here before, but never at this hour.
But as he began to look closely, there were toppled bricks everywhere and there were thin black lines on them. They spread over the bricks like veins or a web.
Weird. If it really was that girl…, didn’t she say that she had telekinetic powers? Are those black lines moving slightly? Or was the darkness playing tricks on his eyes?
Even the distant streetlights seemed dimmer than usual. Maybe he was sleepy and just seeing things. And the streetlights were always this dim.
That discomfort was not leaving anytime soon. Maybe this is how Luke was feeling then. It felt like there was something for him to find here. Maybe he was being dramatic…but there was no other way to describe it.
Tommy looked around for about five more minutes…or what felt like that much time. The lights were turning off one by one. He wouldn’t like to admit it, but he was scared. A little, but yes. Not necessarily of the dark but that eerie sensation. He felt as if someone was watching him. He truly was in a horror movie.
He figured it was wise to walk away – no, run away. It was unsafe here. it was too much. But just as he was about to speed away, he heard a husky feminine voice from behind him, “Obsessed, are you?” (Second jump scare of the day. Weirdly, both from the same person.)
It was that same girl from before. Her features appeared darker than earlier. But it was probably because of how dark their atmosphere was. Also, she was much closer to him than she ever was. (Not that he noticed. Of course, not.)
“Are you following me?” he asked.
“Hey, you’re the one who keeps finding me when I’m just minding my business.” she said in a light hearted manner. Contrasting the situation again.
“Seriously now, are you a vampire? Or a ghost or something?” Though Tommy did say this in sarcasm, it was a real question he had.
“Think what you want, but it’s not safe for you, you know? Just roaming around dark alleys at midnight.” She says it as if it was very safe for her.
Tommy scoffs lightly and says, “But you’re here too.”
She ignored his statement and proceeded with, “Why did you come here? I don’t see any reason for you to.”
“Maybe because I am a serial killer and I lurk in shadows at night looking for a victim.”
She chuckled deeply and said, “It’s very difficult to believe that a Young Avenger would be a serial killer. Also, that idea you have of serial killers is inherently wrong.”
What? Uh…uhm…what? Excuse me?
Her eyebrows shot up and she said, “Whoa, whoa… you look like you’ve seen a ghost. Well, I guess… you probably think that I’m a ghost. But you were pretty chill before. What’s wrong?”
Tommy struggled to find words. “I- uh- what?”
“You’re Speed, right? Super hero? Young avenger? Brother of Wiccan?” She said this like it was nothing. Like she didn’t just figure out his secret.
Tommy still tried to deny this by saying, “What? No. Of course not. Just because I have white hair, you’re gonna call me a superhero? I mean, come on. I’m way more handsome than him. Though I am a big fan. Are you too?”
“Dude, I literally saw you speed here. and you have that obnoxiously bright green shirt on. And like you pointed out; you have white hair. So, quit the lies. I know.” She gave him a knowing look.
Tommy didn’t know what to say anymore. He had been caught. How could he have so reckless? Yes, everyone had that idea about him. But he actually wasn’t that reckless. But right now, he felt ashamed of himself. But in his defence, he didn’t expect to be noticed by anyone as he sped through the streets. It was physically impossible for a person without super speed to catch him with naked eyes. Or even with cameras. And when he reached this street, he didn’t actually expect anyone to be able to see in this darkness. How could he have known to meet this…anomaly?
He quickly figured that arguing with her about his identity would be fruitless; so, he replied with, “What’s so obnoxious about this green? It’s not even that bright. It’s not like it’s fluorescent.”
She chuckled again. “Smart.”
No one had called him that before. That’s because he wasn’t. he couldn’t figure out why she said it. which proves his point further. What was so smart about pointing out the exact colour of his shirt?
“So…now that you know about me. What are you doing here at this ungodly hour?” He tried to play it cool.
“Doing ungodly things.” There was that annoying stare again. Looking up at him through her eyelashes.
“Very clear. I really understood that.” Was the darkness receding around them? Maybe the streetlights at the distance had brightened. Does that even happen?
The two loiter around the place for a few minutes in silence. Tommy doesn’t leave and the girl doesn’t seem to mind. They just roamed around in silence. Usually Tommy talks a lot, sometimes annoyingly so. He knows that. But in this situation, he doesn’t push it. This is not a public place, where she won’t act out. He doesn’t even know…anything really.
Tommy observes the cracked walls and the bricks carefully. Those black lines had thinned. Surely. It wasn’t illusions his mind was making up. That inky blackness had reduced. The street was definitely brighter.
“Say, why are you still here? I mean like – how are you still here?” she says while leaning against a wall. She looked tired.
He stood in the same position on the wall opposite to her. He looked up at the night sky and said, “What do you mean ‘how’? Am I not allowed to?”
She mimicked his gesture and said, “No, it’s not that. I mean…people usually don’t enjoy my proximity.” Her voice terribly gentle. Another contradiction.
“Who said I’m enjoying myself?” To be very honest, he wasn’t. not really. But there was nothing better for him to do. And it’s not like sleep is better. So, he’d rather stay here.
“By enjoy, I meant tolerate. You’d be the first. In months.” She looked down from the stars and glanced at him. He had already looked down before her.
“You mean to say no one has tolerated your presence in months?” He was about to laugh at this ‘joke’ but he saw her look away. Her eyes fluttered shut for a moment and he knew to not scoff at it. “I-I’m sorry. Didn’t mean to. I’ll shut up.”
“Oh no, please. Go ahead. Please don’t shut up.” She stood up straighter on her feet, leaving the support of the wall, and walked three steps towards him. There was still a comfortable distance between them, but it was now bright enough to see her features clearly again.
She had pale alabaster skin, but there was glaring dark circles underneath her eyes. Her cheeks were gaunt. And her dark hair was still messy. And her brown eyes were slightly teary. Tom could tell that if she put a little effort, she would be conventionally attractive. But now, she looked like she’d been through hell and back. He felt bad for her. He didn’t know why. (and no, it isn’t some love at first sight BS) It was just a feeling.
He stood up straight too, making her look up, “Are you…okay? You look sick.”
She smiled weakly and looked down, “I’m not sick.” After a pause she says, “Mentally? Maybe. But physically I’m fine.”
“Can I help you in any way? Like, I know you barely know me. But if I can do anything…” Tommy wasn’t sure from where all this was coming from. Spending time with Billy and Teddy was having a toll on him. It was making him kinder. Fuck.
“Just…just keep talking. That’ll be enough.” He wasn’t sure if her voice broke a little. He also noticed an accent. It was softer. Maybe east European.
There was a slight pang in his chest at those words. “What do you want me to talk about?”
“Anything.” She looked at him with expectant eyes. And maybe a little…hope(?)
He remembered that he had forgotten to ask her the most obvious question. How had it not crossed his mind until now? “What’s your name?”
“You remember asking me that now?” She laughed. Dimples.
Tommy slightly raises his hands in mock surrender. “It didn’t cross my mind, okay? Also…it was dark.”
She squints her eyes, “What does it being dark have to do with you forgetting to ask my name?”
Tommy took a large breath to answer loudly before hearing her question, but answered with a quiet, little, “I don’t know.” After seeing her smile at him in mockery he asks, “Well, what is it?”
“It’s Sandrina.”
“Sandrina.” He repeated. “It’s not very common, is it? Anyway, I’m Tommy.”
“I know.”
“You stalking me?”
“Your name tag?”
“Right…”
“I ate that muffin.”
Oh Lord. “Why on earth would you do that?”
“Oh, it was delicious! Just what I needed. A mouthful of sand.”
“The coffee should have helped. And anyway, you are the one who asked for it in the first place.”
“When I asked for it, I didn’t expect it to be so…unique.” That huskiness in her voice was gone, replaced by a smoothness.
After a few minutes of relatively comfortable silence, Tommy had to ask her, “So…what really are your powers?” He knew it wasn’t telekinesis. Those dark inky veins don’t form just like that. Nor can a telekinetic person break bricks that easily.
She looked away into the other end of the street. “Don’t you think I’d have told you when you asked, if I had known?”
“I noticed a few marks on those cracked bricks…were those you?”
“I’m guessing, yes. I’m not sure though. I don’t even know what’s happening to me.”
“How long have you had these powers? I mean, usually it starts at 12, right?”
“Didn’t you notice the significantly less crowd in the café today evening?” Her voice went back to being husky. She just would not reply to his questions clearly. Wannabe mystery lady.
“Uhm, yes? Why? Did you scare them away?”
“Yes. That is most likely what happened.” Okay, Tom was not expecting that. And she had this deadpan, poker face which made it really hard to read her. He wasn’t even that much of a genius to begin with.
“What?” He laughed. But stopped when her expression did not change, and she made direct eye contact with him. Her stare was cold and…almost angry. Or was it something else?
But a brief moment later her eyes softened. “I don’t even know why I’m telling you this. It’s not like it matters.”
“You’re telling me this because I’m so charming. You just can’t help it.” He attempted to lighten the mood.
“That must be true then, self-proclaimed charmer.” She rolled her eyes.
“No, but seriously. If you really did scare them away, you’re making a loss for the shop, ya know.” There was no need to say ‘seriously’; this was anything but.
“Okay, I won’t go to the shop, then. And you’ll see your customers fly right in.”
“You seriously believe that you’re the reason that the crowd was less today? When you said that people didn’t wanna be near you, I didn’t know you meant that literally.”
“It’s getting late, Tommy. I better go.”
“You say it like it’s not already late enough.”
“It’s almost midnight now.”
“Got someone waiting for you?” He couldn’t help but ask. Old habits die hard.
“Very smooth.” She turned around to walk away, chuckling lightly. “And don’t’ follow me, creep.”
“You didn’t tell me about how you did that to those bricks!” He did follow her till the end of the street. His words sounded a little louder than intended due to the quiet of the night.
“Maybe later someday. Now stop following me around.” She waved him goodbye and took a sharp turn to disappear from his sight.
He had no idea how she was going to tell him later someday, since they didn’t know how to contact each other. He could try to look her up on Instagram, and it wouldn’t be very difficult since there aren’t a lot people named Sandrina. But still, what exactly did she have in mind?
And what was up with that weird darkness from earlier? She wasn’t some supervillain, was she? She didn’t seem harmful. But then, what was that about scaring people away?
Weird and contradicting thoughts were brewing in his mind. The sound of rumbling thunder brought Tommy back to his senses. He noticed small trickles of sweat on the nape of his neck. Humidity. And midnight rain.
Summer really had come early this year.