Chapter 16

  “You guys are all good to go. Have a nice day.” The receptionist sounded bored as she checked the Peterson twins out of Spritewood Community Hospital. Solomon was just glad that they had been cleared to go home – for now. If he or Luna relapsed, then they’d be taken back to the hospital for intensive tests. But until then, the doctors were more than willing to label their comas as “accidents.”

  “Thank you so much,” Mrs. Peterson said, and it sounded like she actually meant it. “Come on, kids, let’s go home.”

  The car ride back to Solomon’s house was completely silent. Luna stared out the window, and for once, Solomon had nothing to say. Mr. and Mrs. Peterson emanated concern for their children. Mrs. Peterson kept looking back to check on them, and Mr. Peterson would’ve doubtlessly done the same if he hadn’t needed to keep his eyes on the road.

  When they got home, Luna and Solomon were told to go to bed right away. “But tonight’s family game night!” Solomon objected. “It’s my favorite night of the week!”

  “You two have been through a lot lately,” Mrs. Peterson said sternly. “You’re going to need all the sleep you can get.”

  Solomon sighed with resignation and slowly walked upstairs to get ready for bed. He had brushed his teeth and hair and was just putting on his Quasi Quartet pajamas when he heard a soft knock on his door. Hurriedly pulling on his top, he opened the door. “Hey Dad,” he said. “What’s up?”

  “Can I come in?” Mr. Peterson asked, leaning against the doorframe. “I need to talk to you about the accident.”

  A slight sense of unease tingled in Solomon’s fingers, and a wave of heat rushed through him, but he managed to keep his cool. “Yeah, sure. Of course you can come in.”

  Mr. Peterson ducked inside and sat down at the foot of Solomon’s bed, while Solomon scooted toward the head of the bed, toying with his pillow and doing as much as possible to avoid looking his father in the eyes.

  “Son, what were you and Luna doing in the park before the accident?”

  “We were doing a science experiment,” Solomon said slowly.

  “The kind that leaves you in a coma for a week? I think you’re leaving something out. There’s something you’re not telling me. And as your parent, it’s part of my job – and your mother’s – to be aware of everything that could endanger our children. We don’t want to wait anxiously through another week-long coma, especially if there’s something that triggered it that we can help you avoid. If you’re holding things back, that hurts our efforts to protect you.”

  This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

  Solomon sighed. “You’re not going to believe me.”

  “I believe a lot of things,” his father said.

  And so it all came out: the SUV, the secret government research facility, Igor Igna, Dr. Fischer, Derek, Solomon and Luna’s potential superpowers, the USB, the BBO crystal, and triggering their powers. Solomon ended with, “And it worked! Luna and I have superpowers now! We can become superheroes and save the world! All we need are some cool costumes…” He noticed his father’s disappointed look and trailed off uncertainly.

  Mr. Peterson shook his head slowly. “Really, son, I knew you had an over-active imagination, but this is taking it way too far. You need to get out of this imaginary world you’re living in and come back to the real world. Superheroes don’t exist, alright? You don’t actually have superpowers.”

  “But what about the Quasi Quartet?” Solomon protested. “Don’t they exist?”

  His father grimaced. “The Quasi Quartet is only a brand. They’re comic book characters, not real people. They’re not real. I’m sorry, I should’ve told you sooner.”

  Solomon’s jaw dropped. The Quasi Quartet isn’t real?! They don’t exist?! I look up to them! They’re my role models! How could this happen? His gaze shifted to his shelf of limited-edition Quasi Quartet figurines. A sour taste rose in his mouth. My whole life was founded on a lie. He grabbed the figurines and shoved them under his bed. Then he got under his covers and rolled to face the wall, pressing his face into his pillow. He couldn’t bear to look at the multitude of Quasi Quartet posters that littered his room. “Goodnight, Dad,” he said, his voice muffled by his pillow. “I’ll see you in the morning.”

  “Goodnight, then.” Mr. Peterson stood hesitantly, not wanting to leave his son, and went to the door, pausing to flip off the lights.

  “Make sure you turn off the lights before you leave,” Solomon said, his face still pressed into the pillow.

  “I just did.”

  “No, you didn’t. They’re still on. Everything’s really bright.”

  “Solomon… It’s pitch black in here. I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  Confused, Solomon lifted his head and glanced around his room. His chair, his desk, his dresser… They were all colored strange shades of red and blue, but he could definitely still see them. Wait, is this my first power? Night vision? A tiny glint of hope shone through. The Quasi Quartet might now be real, but I am, and I know I have superpowers. Once I figure out my other powers, I can save the world and prove that heroes do exist! “It’s nothing,” he told his father. “The lights are definitely off.”

  Temporarily appeased, Mr. Peterson closed the door and headed downstairs to have a chat with his wife. They had a lot to discuss together, and part of him couldn’t help but worry for his son.