2 John Doe

I tread out of the cafe with a frown marring my face, a fourth job rejection and it wasn't likely to be the last. Having the appearance of a thirteen-year-old, without the experience, records, and referrals I did in my original world reduced my options significantly.

I refused to allow myself to be thrown in an orphanage, not just because of personal pride, but due to the presence of capes... I've read far too many stories where some bastard gets the bright idea to 'adopt' kids into test subjects, Tinkers existed in this world, and Bio-Tinkers had already been recorded.

This was also Brockton Bay, a city with one of the highest percentages of capes among the population. Pretty sure the number of crazies is also why I was dropped here, what else could be the reason?

It was a shit hole among shit holes, with an organization of actual god damn nazis running around, and I'm not being hyperbolic or referring to someone with conservative ideals... No, I mean, 'Heil fucking Hitler', running around with red armband kinda nazis.

Even with my olive skin, I doubted morons like that would care I was more Caucasian than anything else. The Empire Eighty-Eight

Gangs essentially ran this city, outside of the immediate areas protected by the PRT or the hero group called New Wave. You had the nazi Empire Eighty-Eight, Asian supremacist Azn Bad Boys, and meth-head Archer's Bridge Merchants as the big players.

That the cracked-out drug dealers that kidnapped people and forcefully addicted them to shit weren't the most fucked up group in the city was saying something.

This all contributed to my difficulties finding jobs, as any area that'd hire a thirteen-year-old had some amount of ties to one of the gangs. Plus, even if I made money I doubted I'd find a landlord that'd both take me in and not report my existence to child services.

I run a hand through my hair as I make my way to my next destination, following the route I'd written on a page I'd torn from a book's glossary. Yeah, I didn't have a phone, sue me.

--------------------------

I tear up the paper and let the wind take it as I step out from the construction site. Every 'safe' job available had been a bust, not that I was expecting otherwise. I wouldn't hire me either.

Letting out a sigh, I decide to start making preparations for homeless life. With the state of this city, I wasn't staying out at night without some protection, so I surreptitiously sneak a hammer out of a hardware store with little issue. I'd rather have a knife but even kitchen knives were locked behind counters, preventing all but the boldest attempts of absconding with one.

None of this felt quite real yet, and my tirelessly bouncing around from one failed attempt to fix my shit to another was making me really, really desperate. It was early January and I'd be freezing my ass off if I couldn't at the very least buy a jacket or a blanket. Of course, there was always sitting in a 24/7 fast food joint, but that'd get me picked up by the cops pretty quick, no one's gonna ignore a kid sleeping not just on their doorstep, but on their couch.

It was turning two in the afternoon and I was still wracking my mind for suitable methods for income... When finally I spotted something doable.

Down at the corner of the street was a music store, one that had red stickers proclaiming 'BIG DISCOUNTS!' printed across the windows.

I step past the group of people milling in and out of the place and glance around, looking for my instrument of choice. Now I wasn't Jimi Hendrix but I knew my way around a guitar, if I could grab on busking for cash would be easy... Especially with my new age, seeing a middle-aged guy playing fluently and performing wasn't as impressive as a kid.

"This a clearance or something?" I vaguely hear one of the customers ask a frazzled shop assistant.

"Mhm."

"Really? Why though? I thought things were going great? I love this place!"

"You love coming in and trying the new stuff without buying anything..." the assistant drawls.

"M-maybe! But I see lots of people buying stuff here! You're telling me you can't make a profit selling those giant freaking pianos?"

"Profit's not an issue, the boss said she was leaving the city altogether. 'Too many capes breaking shit', is what I was told."

...

"I guess that would do it..." the man claps the assistant on the arm, "But look on the bright side, I'm finally going to buy something." he holds it up.

"...That's a guitar pick." the assistant almost whispers through gritted teeth.

I shake my head and step aside, of course the capes were the problem. It seemed like everything issue could be traced back to one of them.

My eyes narrow in on the stand nearest to the door, a classic wood grain acoustic guitar, it kinda reminded me of my last one... Again, the fact I can't remember my name or parents but can recall a fucking guitar is starting to piss me off.

Huffing air through my nose, I grab it, turn it in my hands giving it a once over before making my way for the door. The trick of stealing was to act like you weren't stealing... It sounded simple enough but when you knew you were up to shit your attitude and posture would express it... Or at least that's what I remember from that crime documentary.

My stature combined with the large crowd let me slip out without a problem, there were CCTV cameras but there was nothing I could do about that. I dare them to find me anyway, with no paper trail or evidence of my existence at all I'd be surprised if they could do anything.

With that, I make my way to the opposite side of Downtown, picking out a popular-looking spot on the steps leading into a mall. I prop a plastic cup next to my feet and heft the adult-sized guitar in my arms...

Now what to play?

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POV: Amy Dallon

"Come on Ames, I'm not gonna let you be holed up in that grungy hospital all day!"

I sigh as Vicky tugs on my costume sleeve harder, unintentionally using her super strength to force my compliance. She was great, usually, when she wasn't trying to get me to shirk work with her. Sure, it might be Sunday but I was still just as needed as any other day, maybe more given what people got up to in their free time.

Being one of the few capes capable of actually healing people gave me a lot of power, power that I needed to not abuse... People would come in all over the world to have their terminal illnesses cured... Anything that wasn't brain related I could heal, cancer, genetic disorders, paralysis...

"Vicky, people need me. Every minute I'm not in the hospital, someone dies, or leaves without getting help... Do you have any idea how long the booking list for an appointment with me is?" I say, which she purposely ignores.

Couldn't she have at least let me get changed before dragging me Downtown? While all of New Wave's identities were public, it seemed weird and wrong to wear my costume for casual stuff... Even now people were falling over themselves to clear a path for 'Panacea and Glory Girl'. The only thing that stopped them from getting swarmed for autographs was Vicky's aura.

"Sis, you haven't been a cape for that long, it isn't healthy to spend all of your free time working. Helping people is good, great even! But not when you're hurting yourself at the same time!"

"You kidnapped me during my break... I have two terminal patients waiting for me!" I heatedly retort. Her blase attitude was irritating, especially when I knew she agreed with me to some extent.

Vicky frowns and turns on her heel, eyeing me with surprising intensity. I could see people nearby reacting to her aura amping up, standing in stunned silence at her sheer presence. "When's the last time you got a full night of sleep? Between the hospital and school, when's the last time you did something 'Amy' wanted to do, instead of Panacea?"

I scowl, not in anger but in frustration. All I wanted to do was lie down somewhere and sleep, but I could toss away my responsibilities for momentary satisfaction. Not everyone could be Glory Girl, flying around punching people and announcing 'Job Done!'.

"Take me back." I put my foot down, "Because if we're going to start talking 'problems', we can talk about last week and your 'mishap'." I state, causing her to pale slightly. She could say all she wanted about my work ethic, but when you accidentally cripple a criminal for life, having an 'Overworked Healer' sister paid off.

"Fine." she sighs and slumps slightly, making to pick me up and fly me back to the hospital. Only to pause when the sound of a guitar sounds around the entrance of the mall. My brow twitches when Vicky purposely turns to listen, acting as if she'd forgotten her agreement to take me back.

"Another turning point, a fork stuck in the road. Time grabs you by the wrist, directs you where to go-" the singer, a boy in dirty clothes stumbles slightly over the chords, his voice fluctuating as if unused to his pitch, but continues the tune anyway despite the flaws.

"So make the best of this test, and don't ask why. It's not a question, but a lesson learned in time-"

"He's pretty good..." Vicky remarks.

"Vicky..." I growl under my breath.

"Come on Ames, just til the end of the song?"

...

I fold my arms and chew my lip, "One song and you're taking me back."

"So take the photographs and still frames in your mind

Hang it on a shelf in good health and good time

Tattoos of memories, and dead skin on trial

For what it's worth, it was worth all the while"

I didn't recognise the song, but that didn't mean anything since I was 'culture illiterate' according to my sister. The verses though, now that I took a minute to listen were nice enough.

I did notice the boy's voice tremble during some though, like he was struggling to maintain the salesman smile permanently plastered on his face.

"It's something unpredictable

But in the end, it's right

I hope you had the time of your life..." the song comes to an end, and the crowd claps politely, impressed at the young boy's abilities.

I reach into the pockets of my costume but fail to find any change... Most of my meals were provided for me at the hospital, along with transportation home, so I usually didn't carry anything on me... I feel Vicky grab my arm and slide some bills into my hand, a restrained smirk on her face.

Ignoring her aggravating look, I drop five dollars into the boy's cup, "You're good."

"You're parents must be really proud of you." Vicky adds, throwing a thumbs up, not noticing the boy's jaw clench.

"Thanks." he cooly responds, sending an inquiring look at her, "What's the robe for? Scientology?"

"Scient-what...?" Vicky questions, visibly confused.

"No... It's my costume, I'm Panacea."

"The healer?"

"That's the one." Vicky beams, "You a fan?"

"I guess? She's the only 'real' hero around here, to be honest." he shrugs.

"What!? How can you say that! There's the Wards, PRT, and-" she starts but the boy interjects.

"All of which combined probably haven't saved as many people as she has... Sure, beating people up is fine, but it doesn't mean anything in comparison to curing cancer and regrowing limbs..." he says before turning his attention to the steadily filling cup to converse with other contributors, the salesman smile once again gracing his face.

"W-wait! What's your name?" Vicky asks, her aura unintentionally spiking... But somehow the boy is unaffected, despite people nearby going glassy-eyed in wonder at the superheroine. "Vicky, aura." I whisper, prompting the girl to force it down.

The boy chews the answer for a moment, seeming reluctant to say... "John."

"Doe?" I can't help but follow up but realise my mistake too soon when a grimace slips through his facade. He doesn't answer, my mood from being told I was basically the best hero soured somewhat at that... I drop the rest of the money, another five dollars into his cup and pull Vicky away from trying to convert him into a fan.

Clearly, kid had issues...

I think back to the song and sigh, deciding that a ten-minute break wouldn't destroy the world. "I could go for a burger..."

"Yes!" Vicky cheers, once more dragging me down the street as I hum the tune

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POV: MC

I watch the hero and her friend leave and breathe a sigh of relief. For a moment there I thought they were going to get into my business, last thing I needed was to be dragged to the police station or something.

Panacea could obviously tell something was up, I wasn't sure if I'd let something slip but she closed in on me like an eagle. It was actually pretty intimidating, by appearance alone she was just a teenage girl in white and red robes, remove the bags under her eyes and give her a new outfit and she'd be just another average girl.

An average girl who could cure cancer at a whim.

"Hey kid, what's the name of the song? I wanna add it to my playlist." a twenty-something woman asks, ready to search for it on her phone.

"Good Riddance."

...

"Is it spelled weird 'cuz I don't see it?"

"Green Day?"

"That another song? Doesn't show either."

Huh... Green Day didn't exist in this world. I thought most things would've come through Earth Aleph.

This could be an opportunity... Unfortunately, I'd need an identity to take advantage. If I was gonna be stuck in this shit hole I might as well get rich. Stealing artists' music did feel kind of scummy, but I didn't see them around to complain.

"I wrote it." I shrug, "Got bored one day."

"You wrote it? Really!? That's amazing! How old are you!?"

"Thirteen, did you really like the song?" I ask while forcing an innocent smile to my lips.

"It was amazing!"

"Then..." I shake my cup, causing coins to jingle.

...