Sunday Scribblings (Superhero): The Greatest Power

'Is he with you?' his wife asked. 'Did you pick him up from school?'

'I did,' he replied, his unibrow furrowed.

'Oh thank heavens. How bad was it?'

'It could have been much worse. You were right, of course. We should have kept him home. I think we need to consider pulling the other kids from their classes.'

'Wouldn't that look suspicious?'

'More suspicious than what he did?'

'Yeah, true. What about the press? And word of mouth?'

'No one heard him say anything; no one saw him do anything. We'll just deny it like we've done in the past. And like so many of our ancestors did. We still have a secret to keep.'

'Are you going to talk to him?'

'Yes. It's time. Please keep the other kids away. I just can't believe it happened to him at such a young age. It usually doesn't hit until puberty. He might be rather powerful.'

'Good luck, honey.'

He climbed the stairs to his son's room and peered inside. His son, Daniel, sat on the edge of his bed staring out the window.

'Mind if I come in?' he asked.

The boy didn't answer.

The father sat beside him. 'I have something I need to tell you.'

Still no reaction from Daniel.

'But first, can I ask you exactly what you said to your friend on the playground?'

'He isn't my friend. I hate him.'

'Hate's a strong word, Daniel. And he is your best friend. Do you remember what you said?'

'I said I wished he could run faster than anyone in the world.'

'Why did you say that?'

'Because the bullies always chase him.'

'Why didn't you wish that you could beat up the bullies?'

'I didn't think about it that way.'

'Daniel, I need to tell you something. Do you know all the superheroes and super villians there are in the world?'

'Yeah'

'Well, our family is responsible for creating them.'

Daniel looked as perplexed as his father had felt when his father had told him.

'The people in our family were the first ones on earth with super powers. Your great, great grandfather and his brother both had the super power. They could grant super powers to anyone an everyone. They discovered it by accident, just like you did with Raymond in the school yard. See? You've given him a super power.'

Daniel was obviously skeptical. He knew that superheroes existed, but how could it be that his family was the most powerful of them all?

'The only catch to the power we have is that we must use it selflessly. If we do not, we end up like The Ancient One.'

'Isn't that just a myth?'

'No. Because the Ancient One is your great, great uncle Edward. After he saw the power he could give others, he wished it for himself. Except when he did, he lost his ability to grant powers and he went crazy. He became the first super villain. The Ancient One tried to kill his own brother, but your great, great grandfather had already bestowed enough people with powers that they could defeat him. The problem is that power corrupts. And so, some of the super heroes became super villians. And vice versa, but not as often.'

'Is great grandpa still alive?'

'No. Like I said, he didn't have any super powers. He died of a heart attack in his mid-60s. But he passed along the gene. And now, it seems you have it.'

'Wow.'

'I know. So, you have to promise me that you will always use this power for good. That you will never be hasty or thoughtless about it. It is a lot to learn in such a short time, but you must. And you must speak of this to no one. No one can know we're the ones who create super heroes. If people ever found out, they'd try to see what makes us tick. But all they'd see if blood and organs and slimy skin.'

'Dad, can I change him back?'

'No. Your friend will be like that for life. But you have not done badly. You acted out of good intention. And you bestowed a gift on someone who is deserving. Still, I do not suggest offering it to one so young.'

The father stood to leave and walked towards the door. 'I know this is a huge responsibility. None of us asked for it. But we must live with it. If you want to talk, please come find me in my room.'

With that, the father left the room. Daniel returned to staring out the window thoughtlessly.