It wouldn't take a genius to figure out which turn to take as a 9 foot, 2 ton behemoth was giving chase not too far behind a frantic and adrenaline fueled adolescent. That was until Cadmus guards started popping up from behind the left and right corridors in front of him. Each with semi-automatic rifles loaded to the brim with bullets. In these kinds of situations with no means of escape, the obvious decision would be for the teen to pivot to a stop and surrender.
But then again AJ Thomson was not one to follow rational decisions in the heat of the moment. Rational for normal people, yes, but as he would recently find out he wasn't normal. Not anymore anyways.
The bright flare of rotating alarms that peppered the walls reflected onto AJ as he was nearing the end of the narrow corridor. Grey clad guards began filling out at the other end from either side. Around 15 stood with their rifles trained on him, each ready to fire without warning.
The deafening roar of the newly freed test subject echoed from behind. While running AJ cocked his head behind him, fear tickling the back of his neck. It was angry, and it would be here soon.
Turning his head back in front of him and with no other options, AJ steeled his nerves. He wasn't stopping. Not after what he saw.
Seeing as he was not slowing down but rather speeding up the guards spared no second in firing their rifles.
Time appeared to slow down as each of AJ's foot steps clacked against the metal floor. Bullets mere feet from his face traveling ever so slowly towards him. So much for the weekend with his cousins, the only time AJ ever got to see them this year. He felt bad, he was looking forward to the surprise his uncle Jay wanted to show him when he got back.
Damn.
2 Days Ago
"Anthony Thomson?"
Depending on the person, one can look at AJ and come up with a multitude of reasons why they did or did not find him appealing. Chocolate-mocha skinned in color followed by short black hair that sat on the top of his head. With a dark hue to his brown eyes and a slim build to complement his 6 foot frame, not a lot of words other than 'kinda tall' could briefly describe him. He was wearing a grey t-shirt with black jeans, his clothes decent enough in his eyes yet not exactly giving off that stylish vibe compared to his better clothed peers.
"Here. And AJ is fine."
It was the second week of classes, not that it meant that the new Biology teacher Ms. Carol would recall anyone's names much less trying, and failing, to not butcher the pronunciations. At least for AJ he wouldn't have to worry about that bit for himself, his name was fairly easy to say even without the nickname.
"Ummm...Mark-kees Williams?"
He couldn't say the same however to his friend Marques.
While AJ sat in his desk at the back of the classroom, Marques sat in front of him. Even though AJ could only see the back of his dark brown afro, he could tell Marques was making a face of annoyance at yet another miss pronunciation of his name.
With an aggravated sigh Marques spoke up, "Here, and it's pronounced 'Mark-us' Ms. Carol."
"Oh right, yes, Marques. Sorry about that." Ms. Carol sheepishly smiled as she scribbled a check on the attendance sheet.
Not able to hold it in, AJ gave out a soft chuckle, which otherwise in a fairly loud classroom filled with 20 some students wouldn't be heard by none the wiser. And yet Marques turned around to face AJ bringing with him his signature frown. The frown always had the incredible ability of giving Marques a pissed demeanor with dashes of humor sprinkled onto the corners of his lips.
Marques was darker in complexion to AJ. With thick eyebrows and a few stray hairs on his chin that made up of what can be surmised as a stubble. He continued looking at AJ while fixing the collar of his red hoodie. With a grunt he finally spoke up, "Ya know it usually stops getting funny by the 9th time someone messes up your name. Not like you would get it".
To most, his deep gravelly voice was successful in intimidating people, including adults. To AJ it only forced an amused grin to dance across his face. "The way I see it, only gets funnier the more she does it. And I'm willing to bet she continues to do it well into October."
AJ knew Marques since they were both freshmen at Gotham City High, but they didn't start talking until sophomore year when Marques got into a fight with his then lab partner Freddie Turner. It felt like forever ago when AJ found him sitting casually in the cushioned seat next to the principal's office, legs kicked up onto a small desk while chewing on some gum. So when Marques asked AJ the cliché 'Whatchu lookin at?' it only earned a laugh from the bemused AJ. Although irritated at first by the unexpected response Marques also let out a resigned chuckle. Before either knew they were talking to each other during class, at lunch, and after school.
AJ interrupted his own thoughts to find Marques turning back in his seat to face forward. But not without a shrug of his shoulders and a "Whatever" to go along with it.
When attendance finished the class settled down as Ms. Carol strolled over to the whiteboard beginning to go over the day's agenda. She then explained how they would be going over the cell structure and specialization presentation from yesterday's class, nothing out of the ordinary for the last period of a Friday. The recently quieted classroom erupted into a collaborative groan at the mention of pre-assigned review partners, understandable considering they were usually allowed to pick freely.
As Ms. Carol called the names of students and their partners, AJ drifted his eyes past his classmates letting his gaze fall towards the right side of the room where none other sat but the incredible Barbara Gordan.
Auburn haired tied back into a ponytail, her hazel green eyes highlighted by black rimmed glasses that framed her face. Following a black turtleneck, the sleeves of which stopped behind her elbows, a short purple skirt hung below her waist accentuating the curves of her thick creamy thighs. Straight A's, class representative, multiple extracurriculars, and a smoking body to go along with it, Barbara Gordan was the quintessential package.
Though not one to talk to her aside from the basic 'Hello' or 'Good Morning', AJ never let his hormonal infatuation with her cloud his judgement with what kind of person she could be like. For all he knew, Barbara may be a stuck up bitch that had a problem with him for no other reason than being AJ Thomson. Yes, she was a sight to behold, without a doubt. But girls like that tend not to bat an eyelash at guys like him.
AJ recalled trying to talk to his middle school crush, the name of the girl he couldn't quite remember now. Was it Jannet, or Jessica? He was sure it started with a J; not that it matters. Oh how she despised him, from the moment he uttered his first 'Hey' to her, she acted as if she planned her personal vendetta against him. Cute from afar and crazy up close, just the way he didn't like 'em.
It was at that moment AJ realized his eyes were still lingering onto Barbara, and the same moment she decided to turn and look straight towards his direction. He couldn't tell at first whether she was looking at him. Well, that was until she got up from her seat and began sauntering over his way. With a rather dumb expression AJ couldn't help but gape like an idiot even as she stood over his seat.
"I'm assuming you don't have your notes from yesterday?" she asked with a raised eyebrow.
AJ blinked for a few seconds then proceeded to look around the room. Everyone was already with their respective partners while Ms. Carol sat at the front desk typing away at her laptop. He turned his head back to the bespectacled beauty who in turn was waiting politely for a response. AJ stared at her for what felt like hours until he blurted out, "Oh, uh, no-I mean yes. I got them."
Barbara gave him an appreciative smile. "That's good." She shuffled to the desk on his right and set her notes down. At the same time AJ fumbled with his bag's zipper, mentally kicking himself for looking like a complete jackass.
The rest of the period went by awkward and uneventful, with occasional snippets of assignment chatter between the two teens. When the bell finally did ring Barbara was quick to pick up her belongings and exit the room, shooting AJ a quick goodbye as she left.
Students were already emptying out the room as AJ got up from his seat, stuffing his bag with his materials. Trying to ignore his nagging sense of shame, he met up with Marques outside the classroom.
AJ knew what was coming. His suspicions confirmed when Marques imitated what he assumed, much to his chagrin, his failed attempt at a conversation with Barbara. What followed was excessive, and for AJ's standards, irksome laughter.
"Shit AJ, if I didn't know you I would honest to God think you had a speech impairment." Marques wiped a tear from his left eye. "The hell was that man?"
AJ gave an annoyed sigh before turning to him. "Shut up."
Not wanting to press him any further, Marques yielded his playful abuse.
The pair strut past the old wooden floors in the flooded hallways of Gotham City High, AJ looking for his locker and Marques following him for what he thought were the two going on to spend the rest of their afternoon together.
Arriving at the lockers Marques finally spoke up, "Yo, we chillin' at my place today? We can hang out there and order food. That or we can check out the new burger place in Gotham Square, your choice."
AJ shuffled two hefty textbooks from his bag before placing them into his locker, followed by a quick and impartial slam of the locker. The noise of which drowned out in the sea of students surrounding them. AJ turned his body to the questioning Marques. "Can't today, remember?"
"Remember what?" Marques leaned onto the unopened locker next to AJ's. The latter giving what appeared to be a 'you serious?' look before realization crept onto Marques' face. "Oh, right. You're going to D.C."
AJ replied with a simple "Yep." with a resounding pop of the 'p'. Not wasting anymore time the duo resumed their journey of dodging and scooting past the surge of oncoming students. Upon reaching the doors that led outside to the school parking lot the two boys went their separate ways. With Marques putting together some excuse of having the chance to hang out another time.
Concluding that he might have squandered the little if any chance of getting to know Barbara. AJ headed for the direction of his neighborhood.
It was hot out today.
-Break-
AJ entered the small two-bedroom house and locked the door behind him. His dad's car wasn't outside and wouldn't be until 8 pm. Dropping his bag off in his room he decided to make himself a quick sandwich before he would start preparing. Packing wouldn't take long anyways, he would only be staying the weekend.
Flipping on the T.V. in the living room. He grabbed a jar of peanut butter and jelly from the cabinet along with a loaf of bread. The T.V. was set to GNN, known to locals as Gotham News Network. The screen showed a middle-aged female reporter who was currently discussing an apparent press conference that will be held in Metropolis tomorrow morning. The screen shifted over to a picture of Superman. Said to make an appearance to address the escalating concern of recent power surges along the upper east side.
Though not particularly interested in the power surges AJ noted that Metropolis was only about a half hour drive from his uncle's. Not like he was planning on going. Was he even allowed to leave his uncle's place when visiting? The better question was why news about Metropolis would broadcast to GNN instead of actual news of Gotham and its residents.
AJ didn't know nor did he have the interest to care.
With a few presses on the remote the screen flipped from GNN to the local sports channel where the Gotham Knights were set to play. Dropping onto the familiar but worn leather brown couch, AJ took a quick bite from the sandwich as he pulled his phone out his pocket. Checking for any messages he may have missed, he noticed one from his cousin Shirley.
The text read, "Hey AJ, my dad wants to know know what time you'll be here tomorrow"
Still holding the half eaten sandwich in his right hand, AJ used his left to respond, "Pretty sure around 10 in the morning". Not a minute later he gets a quick response.
"OK, sounds good. See u then"
Shirley was the younger of the two cousins he would be seeing tomorrow. Shirley was a year younger than him whereas his older cousin Sandra was a good seven years his senior. He remembered the first time visiting them shortly after his mother died; he was only six years old. His dad figured the best way for them to cope was to spend more time with the relatives. Oddly enough the only relatives AJ had were on his dad's side of the family, as his mother was an only child.
AJ's dad told him earlier in the week that he would be unable to stay with them for the weekend due to whatever so and so he had with his job. Supposedly some work related business that needed him working overtime with extra shifts.
Thinking about how much his dad was being overworked AJ started feeling bad. AJ worked numerous part-time jobs to provide extra support. Whether it be helping in paying the bills or setting some dinner for when his dad got home. It was the little things that tended to ease the stress his father dealt with on a daily basis. Still, AJ couldn't help but believe there was something more he could do.
Turning his attention back towards the T.V. screen, AJ focused on the game that was about to start. Hopefully the match would quell him of his thoughts long enough until he had the capacity to worry about something again.
With AJ's awareness drawn to the screen, he wouldn't be able to notice the sound of soft footsteps that tread behind the house. The footsteps came to a stop at the backdoor followed by a figure peering inside through the kitchen window. Content with what it observed the figure drew back. The sound of disappearing footsteps following after it.
On one of the uppermost floors of a Lexcorp tower, a caucasian man sat behind a large expensive looking mahogany desk. The man's brooding eyes squinted at the large darkly-tinted windows that circled around the expansive office. Light from the luminescent bulb on the ceiling gleamed off his bare scalp, almost as if it was radiating from his head. Dressed in an expensive midnight black suit tailored to near perfection. The man drummed his fingers along the desk. Teeth grit together, displeased knowing that he was incapable of formulating his next move. In other words he didn't know what to do.
He didn't like that.
An office phone sat to his left. Without even glancing he pushed the speaker button. "Mercy dear, cancel all my meetings for tomorrow."
A sharp yet alluring feminine voice quickly responded. "Yes Luthor."
The man now identified as Luthor decided not to disregard the facts any longer. Superman was catching on and not too long after will find out about Cadmus. Not allowing himself to get angry he stood up from his comforting arm chair. Flexing his tightly wound muscles under his heavy 6'2 frame.
As much as it displeased him Luthor knew he had to be at the press conference tomorrow.
He crept at a leisurely pace towards the sliding door that led outside of his office. Project Doomsday will unfortunately have to be postponed indefinitely. Luthor massaged the bridge of his nose as he walked out; today was going to be a very long day.
There was work to be done.
