Chapter 19 - Big fat crush

It's been kinda awkward between Klyde and I the last couple days, I can't stop blushing every time I see him after that stunt he pulled, caught me completely off guard with that hug. I came to know that he did it as an apology for not being very considerate of me, I'm impressed he figured that out on his own, most guys need obvious hints or even to be told directly. I just can't get over it, he was so, ahhhhhh! It was so gentle and comforting I just- Sooner or later I need to face him but I just feel so, flustered. The longer we live together the stronger my feelings for him become but I'm too embarrassed and scared to tell him and I don't know if he even feels the same..

Maddy's been avoiding me for the last couple weeks, I think my apologetic hug got her a little too well, I don't know how to tell her that I know how she feels about me and I have, uh, similar feelings, for her. I'm just worried that if we start dating it'll put her into more danger... I can't let that happen. Every time her mother saw her daughter blushing she would just laugh and continue what she was doing. She thought it was funny how flustered Maddy was getting, Maddy couldn't even hold herself together during classes. It was clear to everyone that she had feelings, some were mad because it was me she had feelings for, most of them filled with jealousy and spite, but there were a few who actually seemed encouraging of her feelings for me. I personally don't really know what to do about the situation so I'm just letting it play out.

A new day starts and right from wake up something just feels off. It's quiet outside, then a loud voice spoke out from speakers spread across the city;

"YOUR CITY IS NOW UNDER MY CONTROL AND WILL BE HELD RANSOM! IF YOUR MYSTERIOUS 'HERO' DOESN'T SHOW HIMSELF BY MIDDAY AT CITY CENTRAL I WILL BLOW UP ALL HOSPITALS, SHOPS AND SCHOOLS WITHIN 150 KILOMETRES!"

What in the world? Why this? Why now? it's a Thursday morning but I guess schools out due to the threat.

"I recognise that voice." Ellis stated.

"Oh?"

"An old friend of my ex husband, very loyal, very powerful, extremely dangerous."

"Klyde you can't go he'll kill you..."

"If I don't he'll kill innocent people."

"Then I'm coming with you."

"Both of you come, but stay at some distance, I can't have you getting hurt."

"Wait, you actually want us to come?"

"Yeah."

I change into my suit and I got on my bike, they followed from a distance in Ellis' car, the closer to city central I got the larger the group of followers became, car after car and people walking began following me, even a police entourage. I enter city central, placing my bike down and waking into the middle, the crowd watching from the edges.

"I'M HERE! WHAT DO YOU WANT WITH ME?" I say with a voice distorter on.

"Well well well, he actually came, he really does value others lives over his own." The man slowly walked out of the shadows, covered in some sort of armour, the man must've been about six foot three and looked like he had the body build of a rhino.

"What do you want with me."

"You've caused trouble for my friends, and they're apparently a little too pathetic to deal with a child in a suit, underneath all that fancy equipment you're still just a kid and I'm going to rip you to shreds."

"That so, alright then."

The man pulls out a stick and charges at me, whacking my arm, It hurt but I don't think it did much, I retaliate with a punch to his face, he grunts in pain then whacks me again, this time in the neck. I wince but don't hesitate to whack the stick out of his hand then punch him in the left shoulder, temporarily disabling it. Fury filled his eyes as he smashed me into a concrete pillar, the crowd now cheering me on, I push myself back up and leap towards him, he without hesitation smashes me to the side then jumps on me, I dodge and throw him aside, but he jumps back up and comes at me again without hesitation, headbutting me in the chest.

The fight went on for what felt like hours, I was covered in bruises and probably bleeding, I could feel one of my ribs were cracked and my foot was broken, but I kept fighting, I'm not letting this psycho win easy. He laughed psychotically as he beat me over and over I to the ground. I couldn't move anymore, I felt my consciousness fading, I see Maddy's blurry face over me, she's saying something.

"Get up... Get up!"

She's trying to get me to keep going? I wish I could, I can't move.

"I-"

She's crying...

"I love you..."

She- did she just confess? Here? Now? I feel her gentle hand on my shoulder and forehead. A surge of strength fills my body.

"I'm not done just yet" I whisper to her, she smiles through her tears as I stand.

"Haven't had enough yet eh? Guess I have to finish the job."

He charged at me but was slower than before, I had clearly done some damage, I dodge and hit his leg, he tumbles but gets back up. He pulls a gun and aims for my face.

"I'M ENDING THIS NOW!"

He pulls the trigger but I manage to dodge, barely, it scraped against my face, ripping a whole in the suit, blood drips out as I charge at him, I grab the gun and twist him, whacking him in the neck.

"What did- Gack!"

He spewed blood as he collapsed to the ground immobilised. Police charged in, cuffing him and loading him into an ambulance. Everyone watches me in silence as I stagger to regain balance. I then raise my hand in the air in a fist, the crowd cheers and screams, Maddy and her mother along with some cops come and support me to an ambulance, as they lay me down I lose consciousness...

I fade back into consciousness as I'm being moved in the hospital, Maddy and her mother by my side. They were talking, it sounded muffled but I made out something about leaving the mask on and treating the rest first, then leaving the head to the two of them. I then lost consciousness again.

When I woke again my right eye was covered and my head had been bandaged up. Maddy was next to me along with a nurse.

"Oh good you're awake, had us a little worried there for a bit young hero."

"Uh."

"Don't worry your identity is still secret, we figured it's best to keep it hidden, this one insisted on staying by your side, seems you have an admirer."

"Yeah I got alot of those it seems."

"Yeah half the city's outside the hospital despite being told to leave, police have set up a blockade to keep unwanted visitors out."

"Yeesh, guess I should get outta here as soon as I can then huh?"

"Perhaps. You are badly wounded so we would recommend staying at least a couple nights to ensure your health and safety."

"I'll be alright, it's a safety risk for the hospital having me here so it's best I leave soon."

"Very well. I'll leave you two be then."

"You almost died..." Maddy whimpered.

"I know, I'm sorry. I just couldn't stand by and let him blow up essential buildings and kill innocent people."

"I get that I just- I don't want to lose you and I was so scared and I-" She exploded into tears and laid down next to me.

"I know Maddy, I- I can't lose you either. And, I remember what you said out there."

"Y-you do.?"

"I love you too."

She bawled her eyes out for hours, her face buried in my shoulder. Ellis then came in and helped us both to the car and took us home, Maddy was fast asleep by the time we got home, I helped Ellis get her inside and onto this couch before going to bed and falling asleep myself.

My family's been out camping for the last few weeks, some sort of freeing the mind, body and soul trip, so they had no phones or anything to contact me with. I knew they were safe though, that was the important part, I left a tracker on their car and tent bag so I knew where they were, they'll be home tomorrow night.

The alarm blares as the sun rises, I shut it off knowing school was off after yesterday's charade. I couldn't move much but I pulled myself into a sitting position to find Maddy had found her way to the end of my bed. I didn't want to bother her so I just sat there, scrolling through my phone, my parents had left a message saying they were on their way back and would be home at eight tonight. I want to make dinner for them for when they arrive but it will definitely be a challenge and a half in my current state. Being at war with an entire underground empire is very painful. I'm not on pain meds currently so I'm getting the full swing of just how badly I've been messed up.

After about an hour of laying still, Maddy finally woke up and noticed I was awake.

"Can you, help me to the kitchen?"

"Nope you're staying right there in bed, I'm cooking breakfast for you."

"Um, I ca-"

"I said no I'm making your breakfast."

"Alright."

"Just get some rest."

Half an hour passes and she walks back in with pancakes, waffles and a hot chocolate on a tray.

"You didn't have to go all out Maddy I only needed a bowl of cereal."

"I wanted to treat you for working so hard, also because I felt like making it."

"Um, alright then."

"Ah ah ah I'm feeding you."

I sigh but give in, not winning this one it seems. I guess I owe it to her to give her what she wants.

"Thank you Maddy."

"No need for thanks I'm merely returning favours."

"And doing it out of love?" Ellis pitched in from the doorway.

"Really mom?!" Maddy yelled as she turned bright red.

"It's ok Maddy you don't need to be embarrassed, it's all out now."

"It's still embarrassing when my mum butts in like this."

"Fair point."

"Alright alright I've got the hint, I'll leave you two lovebirds be."

"Mom." Maddy facepalms as her mother closes the door and walks away laughing. After a moment Maddy returns to feeding me. I feel a little conflicted about my current predicament, it's nice being looked after but I also don't want to be babied, I don't have much control over the situation but, eh whatever this is nice.

After breakfast Maddy decided she wanted to do skincare on my face. I didn't bother objecting I didn't have a choice in the matter as I was basically under bed arrest. It was kinda painful cus of the injuries but it was otherwise nice, she was very careful with what she was doing, but clearly having the time of her life. She looks so happy, it's nice to see. Her eyes sparkling like stars as she focused very intently on my face and neck as she worked away. I couldn't help but smile a little.

"What're you smiling for?"

"Oh nothing, just your eyes."

"My eyes? what's wrong with my eyes?"

"Nothing, which is why I'm smiling at them, they're perfect."

She blushed, "Stop it you!" She giggled.

After a moment she went back to work wiping and rubbing, she was clearly a little too into it as she ended up doing it for almost three hours.