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

Jason slammed his hand down on the wheel as he drove. “I’m sorry guys, I’m so sorry.” As he pulled up outside of the Government Offices, he thought about what he would do. “Is there anything I can do? Is this right?” His words fell into the silence. Stepping from the car, Jason pulled a ski mask down over his face to conceal his trademark hair. No time like the present to get started. As he began to march toward the doors a security guard appeared before him. “Um sir, I don’t think it’d be wise for you to try and get in with that mask on.” Jason stared him down. “Just try and stop me.” The guard held up his gun and aimed it at Jason. “I’m warning you sir, back away and return to your car. No good can come of this.” Jason grinned to himself, the adrenaline was pumping so hard he forgot he had a heart beat. He stepped closer and slowly. “I’m sorry but I need to get in there.” He said so matter of factly it caught the guard actually off guard. As Jason took another step, the Guard aimed for a leg and pulled the trigger. Sadly, his bullets couldn’t penetrate Jason’s skin. Unfortunately for Jason, his body deflected the bullet right back at the guard, catching him on the side of his neck.

Jason’s eyes widened with immediate regret. “Jesus Christ!” He jumped into action using his ski mask and hands as a blockage for the wound while shouting for help. Son of a bitch, what am I doing? I need to find a way for no one to get harmed. As he sat there holding this man’s life force in, he watched as the man slowly faded away. As the Guard’s eyes widened, his body grew eerily still, and Jason felt his final breath. As he stood staring at the body in front of him, he realized he had made a huge mistake. All it would take was this and the rules for super heroes just got more strict. Suddenly a black sedan pulled up behind his car and Jason froze. Shit, shit, shit… what do I do? What the hell do I do? He looked around and did the only logical thing he could think of at the time. He ran.

Alex had some minor cuts and bruises but other than that he was fine. Alison had fixed him up with some ice for his ribs, he thought he might have broken one. As he sat on the couch, he stared at the television like a lazy zombie. Alison popped back in to check on him. “How are the ribs?” Alex lifted the ice to show some wonderful shades of purple, green, brown and blue. “Yeah, this looks like it’s getting better.” Alison sighed heavily. “What the hell were you thinking, what the hell was he thinking?” Suddenly a girl bursts in and interrupts them both. “Sorry guys, but turn it on channel eleven now!” Alex grabbed the remote and held it defensively. “No way Brooke, my shows are on.” Suddenly the remote wasn’t in his hand, it was in hers. He shook his fist at her and then grimaced in agony. Brooke turned the television to channel eleven and there was a grainy video of a masked man getting shot, and then trying to help a security guard. As the video looped with the reporter talking over it, the three of them simply stared at the screen. The salt and pepper hair, the build, and the car… had Jason really just run off to kill a guard?

Jason could hear the police dogs barking not far behind him. This wasn’t good, in fact this whole plan was stupid. Who could erase all the superhero files anyway? They’re probably backed up a million times over. As he leapt over a fence, he realized the dogs were closer than he had hoped. Suddenly he felt one gnawing on his arm, and it didn’t seem to want to let go. “Damnit, you stupid mutt, I don’t want to hurt you, let go. Let go! Let go!” With his last syllable, he tossed the dog aside as if it were never a threat. Suddenly he had two more dogs approaching him. Fearless. Hungry. Angry. As Jason stared them down, he heard their owners call for them. They must have found the other dog. He thought staring into the eyes of his pursuers. As the dogs circled away and back, Jason got a call on his own personal radio. “Jason, Jason! Are you there?!” Jason looked around and whispered back. “Yeah I’m here, Alex is that you?” The voice crackled back across the radio. “Of course, but no time to explain. There is a helicopter loaded with two things. Dex and a really big gun, I’m sure he’s going to take you out. You’ll be the next example!”

Jason stared at the small device that just pumped his inevitable doom to his ears. Damnit, bad day to not wear clean underwear. He stood beneath the trees and tried to ponder his next move, but all he could think about was Dex and what else was probably on that helicopter. Jason thought back to his first ever annual check up.

The doctor leafed through the forms he had signed. “So it says here you can be penetrated only by diamond? How did you determine this?” James smiled, despite what he was about to say. “My Mother backhanded me with her engagement ring. It bled a ridiculous amount, but nothing else ever since has penetrated the skin.” The doctor nodded. “No need for a test then.” Every year after that they just assumed the doctor before them had run the tests.

But the question now, was would the military know it was Jason? As he ran across the fields beside the headquarters, he could feel the laser sight trained on him. He knew it would take a lot for Dex to shoot, but Dex was as unbiased as they could come. He did what he needed to do to provide for the four kids he had, all of which would be entering their teens soon. Jason thought to himself. Dex, just let me get to the water. As he made his way toward the river, he heard the shot and felt it all at the same time. The bullet was a tranquillizer dart and it shattered on impact. Jason kept running and trying not to panic. They’ve realized it’s me, I’m not going to make it. 

As Alex, Alison and Brooke watched the dart shatter, they grew concerned. What would the government pull off next since that failed? As they sat anxiously waiting for Jason to drop or make the water, they were all standing, holding each other. Even Alex couldn’t feel the pain. The pain of losing his mentor would far outweigh any of his physical pain.

Dex sat in the helicopter staring through the scope. “No effect from the tranquillizers. Do you want me to load plan B?” A voice came stern over the headset. It was his well dressed boss, and his words were cold. “Bring him down.” Dex stared at the diamond bullet. “Will this thing even fire?” The voice came over the headset once again. “It’s specially designed. Trust us, we’ve spent millions ensuring this would work if need be.” Dex loaded the huge bullet into his gun. I’m sorry old friend. I am just the right hand of an evil man. I hope you understand. Dex considered missing, but then thought of the repercussions that could have on his own family. He sighed and aimed for Jason’s head. Damn, this sucks. He pulled the trigger and the bullet soared through the air landing a solid shot. Jason tumbled a few times and his body fell into the water off the ledge.

Alex held Alison and Brooke close as they all cried. Two heroes have died this week. The question now, is who would be next?