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The screen froze. Though it was still a bit fuzzy, it was obviously Nick.
“Oh no,” Nick whispered.
“Look at you,” Gibby said, sounding impressed. “Your workout routine finally showing some results, huh?”
Before he could answer, Rebecca Firestone said, “While we atAction Newsdon’t typically name minors, tonight we’re making an exception. Since I know him personally, I can say without any hesitation that one Nicholas Bell was once again involved in the fray. If you’ll recall, Mr. Bell took part in the Battle of McManus Bridge, where the Extraordinary known as Shadow Star fought valiantly against Pyro Storm last fall. Many are still convinced that Shadow Star was set up by Pyro Storm, and Owen Burke, the now-seventeen-year-old behind Shadow Star’s mask, has not been seen since, nor have any charges been filed against himorPyro Storm relating to the deaths of twoAction Newsteam members. While Pyro Storm’s motivations remain unclear even to this day, the central figure in this ongoing mystery has always been Mr. Bell. What does he know? When did he know it? What is the purpose of his inane manifesto disguised as fanfiction?”
“Inane?” Nick growled, outraged. “I don’t even know what that means!”
The screen, still stuck on Nick, zoomed in. Nick’s face was twisted in an ugly sneer, making him look like a monster. Rebecca Firestone continued. “Our attempts to speak with him over the last few months have been repeatedly stonewalled by his father, Nova City police detective Aaron Bell. Aaron Bell, who three years ago was demoted after assaulting a witness, was recently promoted to head the Extraordinaries Division, a top-secret faction of the NCPD, whose budgetary information has not been released. A spokesperson for the NCPD told us earlier this year that the funding didn’t come from taxpayers but declined to elaborate further.”
The screen cut again to a man eating a burrito, Rebecca Firestone standing next to him, microphone at the ready. “Sir, could you tell us what you saw?”
The man had guacamole on his lip. “Oh yeah. There I was, minding my own business. Just doing my thing, you know? Got off work, thinking about what to get for dinner. I was going to get Chinese, but then I saw this new Mexican place opened, and I haven’t had a burrito in a long time. I thought,You know what, Jerry? You deserve a burrito.So then I got one.” He held it up to the camera. “But it’s cold now because ofPyro Storm.”
“Exactly,” Rebecca Firestone said, ever the despicable professional. “But not only did Pyro Storm let your dinner get cold, he also destroyed cars and hurt people.”
The man nodded, crumpling the tinfoil around his burrito. “I don’t know much about that. Jerry does what Jerry does, you know? Anyway, I was walking down the street, burrito in hand, when I heard fighting. I don’t normally get involved in such things, especially when I’m hungry, but then there was fire and ice and smoke and explosions.”
“Explosions?” Rebecca Firestone asked as a chyron appeared on-screen, proclaimingPYRO STORM RUINS MAN’S DINNER WITH EXPLOSIONS. “How big were the explosions?”
“Gigantic,” Burrito Jerry said. “It sounded like bombs were going off. Things were exploding, and I thought,Jerry, you know what? You gotta get out of here.I tried to run, but then that Pyro Storm dude started riding fire, and then the others came after him, and I hid behind a 1967 Mustang. Good car. Good year.”
“What are your thoughts on Pyro Storm?” she asked.
Burrito Jerry shrugged. “Don’t know much about him. I think he’s like me, out there trying to live his best life. I get burritos; he gets to burn things. Don’t make no difference to me.”
The screen switched again, Burrito Jerry disappearing as Rebecca Firestone appeared alone in a close-up shot, looking into the camera. “An innocent bystander named Ronald Ronaldson was injured in the attack. He was taken from the scene to Nova City Memorial, where I’m told he’s currently being treated.
“I conducted a flash poll earlier tonight, asking ten people theiropinions on Pyro Storm. Seventy percent said that he’s a menace on par with a domestic terrorist. Twenty percent said that he’s doing good work, but I believe there was a chance they misunderstood what I was asking. The remaining ten percent only wanted to discuss his burrito, obviously too frightened by what he’d witnessed. Troubling times for our fair city. It appears the court of public opinion has reached a verdict on Pyro Storm and found him guilty. And with me now is someone who has firsthand experience in dealing with the Extraordinary menace.”
The camera pulled back into a wide shot. And there, standing next to Rebecca Firestone, looking dapper and severe, was Simon Burke.
“Motherfu—” Nick began to snarl, only to be silenced by a glare from Martha.
“Simon Burke,” Rebecca Firestone said, “thank you for joining us.”
“It’s my pleasure,” Burke said gravely, “though I wish it was under different circumstances.”
Rebecca Firestone nodded, eyes sparkling. “Your son, Owen, was revealed by this reporter last year to be Shadow Star. Is that correct?”
“Parenting is difficult,” Burke said, breath pouring from his mouth in a white cloud. “You try to do your best for your children, but sometimes they find themselves on a path that they can’t be diverted from.” He bowed his head, as if in grief. Quite the show. “I wish I could’ve done more. Hindsight can be a terrible thing.”
“No one blames you,” Rebecca Firestone said, reaching out and squeezing his arm.
“Thank you, Rebecca,” Burke said, smiling softly. He looked directly into the camera. “Last year, I announced a new initiative in order to better understand our Extraordinary brethren. While we haven’t yet gotten the results that we’d hoped for, we’re slowly moving forward. Tonight’s events are a clear indicator of the need to know who these people are and what they can do—which is whytonight, I’m announcing a new phase in our plan, one that I hope will help other parents who may find themselves in a position like mine. I was too late to help my son, but I need to learn from his and my mistakes in order to create a better future for us all. Burke Pharmaceuticals is launching the Save Our Children campaign. If you believe that your child is exhibiting signs of abilities beyond what humans are capable of, or if they might know someone who is, you can visit SaveOurChildren.novacity and fill out the form you’ll find there. It asks for comprehensive information, which will be kept confidential. Our goal is not to curtail the superpowered, but to help them explore options that will ensure their safety and the safety of their families. Our children are our most precious resource, and we must do all that we can to help them in this newfound existence we find ourselves in. It’s becoming abundantly clear that the NCPD won’t help us, so we must do it on our own.”
Rebecca Firestone said, “Quite the impressive announcement—one I’m sure will help parents sleep better at night, knowing someone in your position cares. And while you’re here, Mr. Burke, I do have to ask: Is there any truth to the rumor you’re considering a bid to become mayor of Nova City in the next general election?”
Burke chuckled and Nick’s skin crawled. “Ah, rumors. I have nothing to announce at this current time. But when and if I do, you’ll be the first to know. Consider it an exclusive, for all the tribulations you’ve been through.”
“Wonderful,” Rebecca Firestone gushed. “Before we let you go, is there anything else you’d like to say?”
“There is,” Burke said. “I have a message for Pyro Storm and anyone who might be helping him.” His smile widened. “You think you’re doing the right thing. You think you can turn the tide. But things are already changing. I don’t blame you for what happened with Owen and Shadow Star. If anything, I’m grateful you stopped him before he could hurt anyone else. But tonight has shown me that you’re no more in control than my son was. Meet with me before someone else gets hurt. I promise you, I’ll listen and do whatever I can to help you. Come forward before it’s too late.”
“Wise words from a wise man,” Rebecca Firestone said as thecamera focused back on her. “ForAction News, I’m Rebecca Firestone. Back to you, Steve.”
“A damning indictment of the current state of affairs,” Steve said in the studio. “Why do people eat pickles from a barrel? The answer may shock you. Stay tuned.”
