So, I’m a loser.
I mean, I’m only half kidding, See, I entered a short story contest recently and submitted two stories, both of which I am very proud of. Unfortunately, I did not become a finalist.
Lucky for you, that means I can post it online for all to see without violating any contest rules! “When the Cape Comes Off” is about a superhero coming home after a long day fighting villains and saving the day who still has one more obstacle left to face before bed. I’ve wanted to share it for months now, so it’s almost a relief that I didn’t win (he told himself as he tearfully dipped up another spoonful of rocky road).
In all seriousness, I hope you enjoy this story. Follow me on @andereggwrites for all my bookish content and be sure to let me know what you think!!
William Wynn flies into the oversized window left open by his wife, already in her nightgown and tucked into bed. A glass of room temperature chardonnay sits on her bedside table, and laughter fills the room from the blaring television. The superhero skids onto the uncarpeted landing strip extending from the window and, despite flapping wildly in the wind, lingering embers cling to the edges of his flame resistant cape.
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The curtains were not so durable.
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“Will! The drapes!”“
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Spectacle turns around to see the fire spreading higher. In a moment, his super breath blows across the flames creeping up the curtain, and he pats out the smoldering fabric with his bare hands. Spectacle takes off his mask and shakes bits of charred debris from his thinning hair onto the floor. The drapes were now lopsided, one periwinkle arm on the right flowing longer than its stubby, half-burnt counterpart. Will exhales, sending smoke in a spiraling gust out the window.
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“Sorry I’m so late, hun. And about the curtains.”
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Annie mutes the talk show, throws the covers off her legs and meets her husband with a kiss. She runs the burnt drapery between her fingers and lets them fall back to the wall. Black residue stains one hand, which she wipes on her gown. “Damn, I thought the lady at Bed, Bath, and Beyond said these were the most heavy duty set they had!”“
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“Apparently the lady at the Bed, Bath, and Beyond didn“t consider flammability.”“
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Will pulls the spandex top over his head, revealing a history of scars and fresh bruises across his chest. He looks at the smoking hem of the cape before tossing it into the hamper across the room.
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Annie runs her clean hand down the length of his torso, “What happened babe? You said you“d be home over three hours ago. I was starting to get worried.”“ She goes back to her side of the bed as William floats into the air and begins to remove one of his boots.
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“Well, it turns out, Chieftain Chaos had laid a trap for me: an electrical cage that nullified my abilities somehow. By the time the Power Guild arrived, this ancient god he summoned was rampaging through Honolulu. They didn“t even know where I was trapped until after they stopped Chaos. By then, it was already lunchtime, so we grabbed a bite to eat and flew back in the Justice Jet.”“
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“Why didn“t you just fly back?” Annie sips her wine.
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“Power nullifier did a real number on me.”“ Will pulls off his tights and throws them on top of his smoking cape. He lands and gingerly walks to her bedside. “Not sure how Chaos did it, but it took a while to recover my strength. THEN,” William says, the exasperation showing in his tone and on his face, “when I“m flying solo, I see Scorch and Spark attacking the science lab.”“
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“Hence, the fire.”“
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“Oh, it was awful babe. Those two kicked my ass. They“re a handful when I“m ready and rested, but after the Hawaii disaster? Yeah, it was rough.”“ He starts pulling on his sweats and a stretched out T-shirt.
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“I“m just glad you“re home safe,” Annie says. “Maybe when you’re done, I can give you a massage.”“Â She reaches up and squeezes his butt.
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“I’ll need it after the night I’ve had. I’ll see you in a little bit, okay?” Will leans over to kiss his wife on the forehead. “Wish me luck.”
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“Good luck, Seabiscuit. I’ll be waiting for you.” Annie unmutes the TV and returns to her wine.
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Will shuffles down the hallway, each step reminding him of the battle he narrowly won. His calves were burning and the muscles in his back were sore from getting thrown into the side of a building by Spark. Will knew that being Spectacle day in and day out would take its toll, but ordeals like today were enough to make him reconsider, no matter how much good he did.
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Her room is dark, yet the posters of cartoon heroines and ponies still popped in the shadows. His daughter is fast asleep on top of her comforter, exhausted from waiting up for him. She looks peaceful now, but William knew that if he didn“t fulfill his fatherly duties, Kamilla would be heartbroken in the morning.
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He leans down on one knee, wincing at the pressure. “Hey sweetheart,”“ he whispers to the little angel, nudging her.
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“Hmm?”“ Kamilla“s voice rings out. “Daddy?”“
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“I“m sorry I“m late, darlin“. Do you still want that ride?”“ He was happy to oblige, but his body would hate him later.
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“Yeah! Pony ride!”“ Kamilla bolts up from her slumber and pounces into his outstretched arms, nearly knocking him over. She was still very young, but her super strength had emerged before Kamilla could even walk. Will was the only one powerful enough to compliment her unrestrained energy during playtime. Kamilla climbs over his shoulder and onto his back, forcing him onto all fours.
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In the beginning, Will had tried flying her around the room instead, but she just didn“t like the air as much as horsey rides. So, every night after fighting crime, he trotted around her bedroom floor, swaying back and forth and making whinnying noises. She tugs his shirt collar like a pair of reins, steering him left and right. “Faster, Daddy!”“
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This is worth it, the hero thinks to himself. After all the pain he endured and the struggle of balancing being a superhero and a father, Will was proud to play a part in making the world a safer place for her to live in. Kamilla’s laughter was enough to justify any amount of aches or breaks or bloody capes he may suffer to protect her. The more she bounced, the worse his wrists and kneecaps hurt, but he wouldn“t trade it for the universe.
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Because to his little girl, whether he saved the day or not, he was a hero.
Author Profile
- Robert joined Comic Crusaders in 2016 as contributor, but has been an active online voice through social media for almost ten years. His hobbies include reading and collecting comics, attending theme parks, making music, and driving his wife insane. Deadpool and Nightcrawler are his two favorite superheroes, and while his preference is Marvel, he dabbles in every major and indie label in the comics community. He graduated from UTPB in 2013 with a BS in Mechanical Engineering and is currently seeking employment in that field. A southern boy at heart, he currently resides in the Midwest.
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