The Accidental Construction Superhero

Chapter 6: The offer

As all the government officials were speaking, suddenly came news worth turning heads. One of the operators shows the generals footage of Argus, also a powered person terrorizing city Z. “Activate project heat if needed,” the head general said. Raina didn't expect the general would take such a sharp decision. 

That night, the flickering neon light outside of Dave's motel dimmed for a few minutes, and Dave heard a sharp knock on his door. Dozed on cheap booze, Dave did not bother to open the door. The knocking sound got louder. “If this is another dishwasher liquid seller, I swear—” He opened the door, half alert, half paranoid. Standing there, with a wet trench coat, was the figure that chased him in the alleyways 2 days back. With sharp eyes and a calm voice, she introduced herself, “Agent Raina. Mr Davis, we need to talk. ” Dave stepped back, blinked twice, and said, “I don't need government sniffers on my back; get lost.” “You might want to see something first, and then I will help you find all the answers you are looking for.” 

Raina opens her trench coat, puts it on the hanger, pulls her hair back, and sits near Dave with her half-wet white shirt and waterproof backpack. Raina shows Dave the hazardous images and footage caused by the Argus incident. Raina pulled her hair back, got closer, and softly said, “You can help us prevent this. We cannot do this alone.” “Stay away,” I said. Your seduction tricks won't work on me. I know you people very well. You can go to any low to get whatever you want.” “I am not trying to seduce you, Dave. People genuinely need your help. And I am willing to do anything for a greater cause.”

“The last time I tried to help, I almost sabotaged a coffee shop. I might hurt someone next time. Don't count on me for round two,” said Dave, glaring at Raina. Raina matched his glare evenly and offered, “We can give you safe space and take you away from the media. We can regularly check your health, give you an official status, and help you find your answers.” Dave hesitated. Thoughts rushed in his mind. He did not want to get leashed by the bureau. 

Before Dave could say yes or no, a soft voice came through the doorway. 

“Don’t trust them, Dave.” 

“Maya? What are you doing here?”

Maya stood there soaking wet, breathing hard, her heart pounding. She followed Raina all the way to the motel. 

“She is not the one you should ask for help. She is one of those intelligent rats. People like her have records hidden in blacklists. They have covered up so many cases of powered people before. Some went missing, others were violently murdered by an unknown culprit.”

“You have all the right to be skeptical, miss.” Raina exhaled, looking down. “You already know all that, right?” Maya said with her arms folded in a radiant manner. 

‘We dont have all the answers, but he deserves a choice.”  Dave’s eyes narrowed , he gasped some air and said untrustworthily, “Choice or chains? I think the government has already made plan B of eliminang me.” 

“Space, protection, official status—these all are very small favors compared with the help we need from you.” Raina said with a faint smile flickering around her lips. 

“Well, I never wanted to be a superhero sort of thing; I never liked much attention.” Dave softened the tension with the toned-down voice of his assertion. Maya shot him a quick glance and softly murmured, “I believe you would take the right decision from here on.” Raina placed a file, not so thin, on the table, which had maps, reports, and cut-out articles on it.” 

“Wow, the government still hasn’t upgraded its tech, eh. Can’t you guys afford a computer?” Dave chuckled. “It’s safer this way. There are more capable hackers than petty thieves,” Maya responded. She continued, “These are fallen buildings, broken bridges, and collapsed monuments. These were made by corrupt contractors. Only if someone could see their weak points, many lives could have been saved. And I believe you have that specific power.”

“How do you know?” asked Dave anxiously. “We have a report of you saving your colleague Emanuel from a collapsing steel beam. You saw through it, the weak points of the structure, and reported to your boss, but he didn’t believe you.”

“How long have you been tracking me?” Dave sharply asked. Raina replied, looking straight into Dave’s eyes, “Your powers might have saved a few lives before, but we want them to save many.” 

The room went silent for a few seconds. Only the sparkling neon lights and the drizzle outside could be heard. Maya met Dave’s eyes and kindly said, “Once you say yes, there is no turning back. I don't want to influence your decision, but I will be with you in this. But remember, they will own you.” Raina quickly replied, “or he can take control of what he already is.” 

Dave took his time; a world full of thought filled his body. He thought, “My life is going nowhere. Neither do I have a family or a good profession. My girlfriend just cheated on me. This might be who I am; this might be my purpose.”

He said finally, half to himself, half to the ladies in the room, “So I’m the guy who will rebuild safety, or it will be mistakes that cause disaster.”

Raina stayed silent. Maya moved away, turning back from Dave, arms still crossed tight. Dave sat down, looking at the neon signboard outside from the opened door, thinking as if it would give him the right answer.