Published at 7th of April 2026 7:02 am

Chapter 20 Nemesis

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No, he said, suddenly serious. I wanted to talk about what happened at Friendsgiving.

Ah. I figured that's what this would be about. I dont blame him for being upset that I, even unwillingly, led him into that nightmare at Violets house. If this results in our friendship ending, so be it. I've found myself enjoying being around Sy; he's charming. But like the rest of my relationships, Ill be fine if it ends. He couldve just sent a text instead of making me come out here in the middle of a storm.

Of course, sorry. How are you holding up? I asked.

How am I-? Eryk, how are you holding up? Im not going to say that Im perfectly fine, but Im not the one whos been the victim of two different Neuvohuman attacks, both of which claimed the lives of a close friend, Sy said incredulously.

Oh, I completely misread this situation. Hes worried about me. Which, if I had been paying more attention, I wouldve noticed immediately. Ive spent so much time around Cowls that Ive forgotten how a normal person reacts. Hes right that I should be shaken up. Theres no world in which I would be perfectly fine after everything. A miscalculation on my part. Rookie mistake, Eryk.

I'm holding up about as well as you think. It wouldnt be an exaggeration to say that this has been the worst year of my life, and it isnt even over yet. It has me terrified of what else the universe might send at me. I know Ive already said it, but I am really sorry I dragged you into the clusterfuck that my life has become. I honestly thought that you called me out here to tell me you didnt want anything to do with me; I honestly wouldnt have blamed you, I said, chuckling half-heartedly.

Dude, what the fuck, he whisper-shouted at me, looking around to see if anyone was staring at us. You think Id stop being your friend because of what someone else did? Christ, you must think Im such a massive piece of shit. Id never do something like that. Times like these are when we need support the most; youre stuck with me whether you like it or not.

You two ready to order? The girl our age asked us, thankfully interrupting our heavy conversation.

Uh, yeah, I answered, pausing to quickly read through the menu. I'll take the, uhhhhh, Big Boy Breakfast. Is that good?

Its a lot of food, she responded curtly.

That doesnt answer my question.

Everythings good here, were a restaurant. Do you like bacon, eggs, sausage, hashbrowns, homefries, toast, and mushrooms? Then get that. If you like French toast, get French toast. We wouldnt be open if the food were bad, she said.

No one has ever treated me the way this random waitress is treating me. Except Technologica, that wretched bitch. What did I do to piss her off so much?

Well get two of the triple Bs and one of the signature Hunny Buns, Sy interjected.

What kind?

What flavors do you guys have today? Sy asked.

Weve got blueberry, chocolate swirl, and apple turnover. We might be out of the apple turnover; it goes pretty quickly, she responded.

Ooo. Apple turnover is my favorite. Ill get that if you have it, please, Sy responded.

Gotcha. What about drinks? She asked, suddenly much friendlier.

Just an ice water, thanks, I said politely.

Hot chocolate and a water as well, please, Sy added.

Got it. Two triple Bs, an apple turnover Hunny Bun, two waters, and a hot chocolate. Alright, I'll bring the drinks out first. Shouldn't be long, we've got the big boss herself on grill today. You're in luck, she said, smiling at Sylvester.

Lucky us, Sy responded happily.

What the heck did I do? I asked after she walked out of earshot. Why does she hate me so much?

Maybe she just thinks you look like an entitled asshole and that I am this down-to-earth, chill guy, he suggested. Nah, Im kidding. Its because you called it the Big Boy Breakfast. Regulars, or anyone whos been here before, know that they call it the Triple B here. So a guy who looks like you comes in here, not even knowing the menu, its likely you arent going to come back.

But thats a terrible way to act. Thats not how you treat a customer, first time or not, I replied.

Listen, Im not disagreeing with you. Im just answering your question. Forget about the rude waitress. Are you sure youre alright? Father Brandon is fond of saying that its fine not to be fine.

Father Brandon?

Oh yeah. Hes the guy in charge of the trauma group Ive been telling you about. Which, I know I sound like a broken record, but you should really think about joining, Sylvester said.

My first thought is to immediately rebuke him, but I stop myself. Daniels been pestering me to go to therapy. This could be a compromise that would placate him. Because of the group setting, I wont even have to share. Theres no expectation of me talking; in fact, prying would only be seen as bad manners. Its perfect for what I need. The only downside is that the girl I met that night at the Triad club is a part of it, but she can be dealt with easily enough. I may not have the personality pieces required to still be upset at how she acted, but that doesnt mean I cant still ruin her life. I let out a defeated sigh.

Alright, Ill go. I doubt Ill get anything from it, but Ill give it a try, I acquiesced.

Thats all Im asking for. But I do think youll get a lot out of it. Its been very helpful personally, hearing that other people can feel the same way I do. Obviously, were all dealing with different shit, but hearing another persons story kind of helps me gain perspective in a weird way, if that makes sense, Sy continued.

I spot the waitress coming back out of the corner of my eye, and I hold my hand up to stop him. She places the three drinks down on the table, making eye contact with Sy and ignoring me.

Thank you so much, I said.

Yep. Its no problem, she responded dispassionately.

Someones not getting a tip.

Delicious, Sy said after taking a deep sip of his hot chocolate.

Ah, clearly youre a man with a refined palate. Great news, we had one of the apple turnovers left, and it was a bit of a fight, but I secured it for ya, she joked.

There are people I have tortured who like me more than this waitress. The only two people in existence who despise me are a centuries-old mechanical tyrant and a random waitress at the Hunny Bun. This has to be a cosmic joke of some kind.

Many thanks for braving such danger on my behalf, Sy responded.

Get a room. She laughs like its the funniest joke shes ever heard in her life. Maybe he can date this awful woman. While the two of them continue to conversationally cuckold me, I look out the window at the continuous flurry of white obscuring the parking lot. The storm has blanketed the city in snow. All the destruction caused by Ares is buried beneath two feet of snow. Like it didnt even happen. But just because its buried, doesnt mean the city has forgotten. The news cycle is still dominated by it; every person with a platform seems to have a take about the tragedy. With Miles successfully siphoning away the radiation, the city is using all the government aid to get a jumpstart on the reconstruction effort. Politicians and business owners are all vying to get this or that built. The mayor is at the center of a maelstrom of pushed agendas, the governor bearing down on him and watching his actions with a microscope. I dont envy the man. Favors dont have an expiration date. I briefly considered using the Curtis Drax blackmail file to gain something, but thatd be a shortsighted waste.

With so many eyes on him, the mayor shouldnt be able to give his friend over at Heritage Construction the most lucrative contracts, but thats never stopped anyone. When in doubt, I will lways rely on mans inability to recognize his fallibility. Even I am not immune to my own failings. The flat screen on the wall flickers for a second due to the weather before stabilizing. It shows a press conference that the Heroes Union held a week ago. Titania, Arbiter, Sequence, and Phoenix stand shoulder to shoulder on a raised stage, surrounded by reporters and citizens. Theyre partnering with the locale police and the BNA, putting every resource into finding Ares and bringing him to justice. It's still quite impressive how Ares has managed to completely disappear. No one found a single trace of him. Even Rorschach hasn't been able to discover a single hint of his location. The four Union squad leaders all take turns speaking at the dais. Do they know that its a facade? That the only justice Ares will find is state-sanctioned vigilante justice? If Miles portrayal of Titanias character is accurate, then she could lie like this to the public with issue.

Eryk? Eryk. Hello? Sy asked, shaking his hand near my face.

Sorry, spaced out while you were hitting it off with my nemesis, I said sarcastically.

Oh, shes your nemesis now? Wow, it really doesnt take a lot to get on your bad side.

Youd be surprised, I replied dryly. I dont know why youre using dating apps when you can hit it off with strangers as well as you do.

Im great at making friends, but its the next step that is so difficult for me. Like, translating a friendship into a relationship feels impossible to me. I know I might look like a babe magnet, but Im terrible at judging interest. Take the cute waitress, is she flirting or just being friendly and likable? Theres nothing worse than a guy who cant read a room, Sy explained. What about you and Emma?

What about Emma and me?

Howd you two end up dating? Whats your secret? He asked, half seriously, half joking.

I cant exactly tell him how we met. So a space puppet sent me to Canada to kill her after she wiped out her entire hometowns population. Then, after fighting through an army of shadow zombies, we hooked up and both planned on killing each other, but decided to work together. Then we poisoned and blew up a house full of the space puppets minions. She came to live with me after I sent my superpowered subordinates to sneak her back here. Yeah, the truth is absolutely out of the question.

Honestly? We kind of just crossed paths randomly. She came on to me. Shes a lot more assertive than youd think, and before I knew it, we were dating, I answered.

Dude, you suck so fucking much. I legit hate you, he complained.

Lucky for you, youll have company in that club, I said as our waitress returned with our food.

Back home with a full stomach and out of the cold, Im sprawled out comfortably in bed alone. The trauma group meets on Tuesday nights. Sy told me he would reach out to Father Brandon and let him know Id be joining. Im a bit surprised that a priest is the one running the group, but I guess it couldnt be a therapist, or itd be a lot more strict and official. With the way that Ive indoctrinated Zero, you could say that I am also a man of God myself. I turn my bedside light on, rolling out of bed. Im too full of energy to sleep right now, so I might as well head down to the gym to blow off some steam. The snow battering my windows is illuminated by the faint glow from my light. The only good thing about the storm is that I doubt whoever has been watching me is continuing to do so in a mini blizzard. I still haven't figured out if my observer is the same person who left me the note. The howl coming from outside sends an involuntary shiver down my spine. Checking both my Cowl and civilian phones shows no notifications, and that its currently three forty-five in the morning. Fuck. I send Vivienne a text asking if she's awake, but she doesn't respond. I send another message to join me if shes up, and I grab some workout sweats. I need to turn my brain off for an hour or so, free myself from the problems and puzzles I'm facing.

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