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Chapter 20 — The Hero and the Girl
Arriving in front of the Cooper household, Arthur slowed his steps and took a moment to observe the place.
— Alright… how do I execute the plan from here?
Just then, he heard raised voices from inside the house.
He turned his head toward the noise.
From the front door, Missy stormed out, arguing with her mother. Arthur narrowed his eyes, intrigued.
Missy shouted, clearly upset.
— You never gave me the money for the party!
Her mother, Mary, followed her to the porch, arms crossed, looking tired.
— Missy, you know I can't give you money right now. We have to pay Sheldon's l bills.
Missy turned sharply, her eyes filled with frustration and hurt.
— It's always Sheldon! Everything's for him. The money, your attention—everything!
She turned and ran down the street, tears brimming in her eyes.
Arthur watched, processing it all quickly.
— She's hurt. She feels invisible… forgotten.
As Missy ran, her thoughts raced with her. Memories flooded her mind—every time her parents praised Sheldon and overlooked her, every moment she was pushed to the background. Her feet pounded the pavement.
Then—out of nowhere—a car turned the corner at full speed.
Arthur's eyes widened.
— Damn—A car! Right in front of her!
Without hesitation, he activated Shadow's power.
VRRRRMMMMM!!
A dark explosion of black and red energy burst from his body. Time seemed to slow as shadows stretched across the street, wrapping around him like a cloak of power. His silver hair with black tips whipped through the wind. His eyes glowed crimson. The world moved in slow motion as he dashed forward.
— Saving the girl… It's an old trick, but it still works.
In a blink, Arthur raced toward Missy, snatching her up in his arms just as the car screeched to a halt, inches from where she had been.
Missy, eyes wide, could only see the oncoming headlights—until something swept her off her feet. Her breath caught. She shut her eyes tight.
Then... silence.
When she opened them again, she was being carried bridal-style by a mysterious boy with silver hair tipped in black, his aura still glowing faintly around him.
Her heart skipped.
— Wh-Who are you...?
Arthur set her gently down on the grass, out of harm's way. The red glow in his eyes slowly faded as the shadow energy dispersed into the wind.
— My name's Arthur... And yours?
— I'm Missy.
Arthur gave her a gentle smile.
— Missy, can I ask you a favor?
— Yes?
— Could you not tell anyone about what you saw today?
She nodded instantly.
— I promise. I won't tell anyone.
— Thank you. You're a good girl.
He turned, stepping back to prepare another burst of energy to head home. The shadows began to swirl around his feet again.
But before he could leave—
— Wait, Arthur!
He turned to see her taking a step closer, nervous, but with hope in her eyes.
— Will we… see each other again?
Arthur paused, then smiled.
— Well, you're the only one who knows my secret. I guess that makes us friends now. So… I'll come back tomorrow. We can talk then. Sound good?
Missy nodded enthusiastically.
— Yes!
She hesitated for a second… then stepped forward and kissed him on the cheek.
— That's my thank you… for saving me.
Arthur blinked in surprise, then smiled back at her.
— Thanks, Missy.
With that, he activated his power once more.
BOOOOM!
A shockwave of darkness and red energy burst from beneath him as he launched back toward his home like a bullet, leaving a crackling trail of light and shadow behind him.
Missy stood there, watching him disappear into the horizon. She touched her cheek where she'd kissed him, smiling.
— I'm the only one who knows…
She walked back home, lighter than before.
Mary looked up from the kitchen window as her daughter entered, a smile on her face.
— What's gotten into you?
Missy just smiled wider.
— I'm just… happy.
She ran up to her room, threw herself onto her bed, and stared at the ceiling. Her heart was racing. She clutched her pillow, already thinking about what she'd wear tomorrow.
— I hope he likes blue...
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Meanwhile, miles away, Arthur raced through the countryside, his mind replaying the entire moment.
— That was even better than the original plan. Not only did I get her attention… I saved her. Instant connection.
He laughed to himself, his voice echoing through the wind.
— Now that I've done the hardest part—getting her to notice me—it's just a matter of time before I turn her into my girlfriend.
A glint of excitement filled his crimson eyes.
— She and Bernadette were always my favorites in Big Bang Theory…
Just as he reached the edge of his family's farm, he heard his mom calling from inside the house.
— Arthur! Dinner's ready!
He deactivated his power, letting the shadows fade completely, and entered through the back door, grinning.
Tonight, everything had gone exactly as he wanted.
And tomorrow?
Tomorrow, the real game would begin.
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