(This is Episode Three, Just joining in? Find Episode One @ Heroisms: Immortality or the Previous Episode @ Heroisms: Nemesis)

The people mostly cleared out in droves, trying to beat the traffic. Jason sat with his face in his hands with Alex and Alison by his side. Turning to Alison, Alex nodded and they began to move from the seats. He turned and put a hand on Jason’s shoulder. “Bud, we’re going to give you a moment alone. To collect yourself, alright?” Jason managed a simple grunt and with that, they were gone. Finally the Pastor realized one of his flock has stayed behind. He made his way to Jason’s side and sat beside him. The two sat in silence for sometime before Jason finally lifted his head and looked to him. “Forgive me Father, I don’t know what to say or where to start.” The Pastor smiled and nodded. “You’ll find the words when the time is right.” Jason absorbed the wise words. “Father, in confession, everything is kept between you and I… correct?” The Pastor’s eyes widened and he swallowed hard. “Yes, of course.” He stood and made his way to the end of the row and guided Jason to the confessionals.

Jason sat in and his broad shoulders felt as if they touched both sides of the small booth. There was space between him and the walls, but he didn’t enjoy tight spaces. Then a small window opened between the two and although he couldn’t see the man, he knew he was there. “Forgive me Father, for I have sinned.” Jason waited a moment as he awaited confirmation, but then continued. “Father, the man we bury today was an exceptional man. Always risking his life for the well being of others. But I believe he was sadly made to be an example for the rest of the community.” A voice on the other side acknowledged his concern and then Jason began his reasoning. “Father, there is a small group of superheroes living among this community, and for years we’ve had to check in. James didn’t. This is why I think he was made to be an example. However I put a man in hospital with my fists not long ago and have yet to be punished for it. Why? Why do the gods act in such a way?” The silence felt like it lasted a lifetime, but then the Pastor finally found the right words. “It is not the actions of God that we must question, but the intent of humankind. People crave power, and people in power crave to keep it and exert it over others. Anyone who cannot be corrupted by power is eliminated by those who crave it. It is sadly the way the world works my son.”

Jason sat for a few minutes letting those words sink in. It is sadly the way the world works my son. He looked to the ceiling of the booth with rage, as if to look up to God for an answer. His face steeled again and he looked straight ahead. “Thank you Father, that will be all.” As he walked from the booth, Jason glanced to the other confessional. He walked away disgusted that even a man of God could believe that it was just the way the world worked. It was time for change. It was time he acted upon this. Jason stormed out of the church with a head full of steam and passed Alex and Alison in his rage. They ran to catch him, and the three of them got into a car. As they drove past the church, they were unaware of the events unfolding within.

“Please, I beg of you. I won’t tell a soul.” Suddenly the Pastor was forced from the confessional and he fell, sprawled on the floor. Behind him was a man with a gun equipped with a silencer. As the Pastor glanced up from where he lay on the ground, he noticed some incredibly expensive leather shoes. As he followed them up, he noticed they belonged to a man clad in a suit to match the shoes. The man’s face was dark from the Pastor’s angle, with two of the overhanging lights from the church glaring over his shoulders. The Pastor decided to make another attempt at a plea. “Look, I won’t tell anyone. He needed to confide in someone.” The man in the suit looked around and two other men in suits closed the doors to the church. Finally his eyes fixated on the Pastor on the ground. “I know you won’t Father.” Nodding to the man with the gun, gave him permission to pull the trigger. “I’m sorry. I wish it didn’t have to be this way.” He motioned to one of the men who just finished closing the door and he came over and picked the Pastor off the floor. “Out the back.” As they carried him off, the man in the expensive suit turned to ensure everything was as they had found it. As they helped the Pastor into the back of a black sedan, the men followed suit and together they drove off into the night, to an unknown location.

“Want to talk about it?” Alex stared at Jason, whose eyes were unblinking and intense. “No, maybe tomorrow.” As the trio drove back to their base of operations, the silence was near deafening. Alison found herself sitting in the back and humming ever so quietly. As they pulled up, Jason parked and was slowly making his way out, delaying for the other two to get out first. Alex leapt out and helped Alison, and as soon as he shut her door he realized something was wrong. With the locks engaged, Jason sat back in and began reversing. Alex, unaware of what else to do, ran and jumped on the hood of the car. As the two stared at each other amid the confusion, Jason spun the car around thus tossing Alex onto the nearby grass. Leaning out the window, Jason shouted to him. “I’m sorry, but the less you know, the better.” As he peeled off, Alison rushed to Alex’s side. As the two watched the lights disappear down the road, Alex turned to Alison. “What do you think he’s going to do?” Alison stared half dazed into the distance. “I don’t know. But the question is, who will stop him?”