The Superhero Diaries 5.11: Invisible Help Part 2

Continuing the multi-part epic tale from the Superhero Diaries. Previous parts can be found in the Storylines menu, click here.

This tranquilizer should work. Crimson’s in room 4, so I’ll go in and give it to her. That screaming should really be affecting our movements, but we seem to be getting through it like a hot knife through butter.

I can hear it, but it sounds like its being deflected.

Adam, you’re right. Yes. I wonder if Viridian is doing it? We’ll find out later. Just give me a couple of seconds while I do this. Aw bless, Crimson, look at you. Don’t worry, you’ll be fine soon. Oof! Crimson! It’s me! Charlie. Charlie. Invisible Charlie. Stop! I’m not here to hurt you. I’m – oof! I didn’t realise you were that strong! Mind you, you’re also showing signs of the caveman problem as well. The sooner I get you to sleep, the bet – oof! Ow. That one really hurt. Now look, Crimson. Sorry about this, chuck. There, I’ve caught your arm. It’s in. It’s oof! It’s not taking effect. Ouch. That slap hurt. Crimson, relax. Relax. OW! Oh. Adam, what did you do?

That chair. I needed to do something so I hit her with it like they do in the movies. It didn’t break like they do in the movies.

It’s a metal chair. They don’t break easily. At least she’s out for the count now – we can check for concussion later. Get her off me, and then we can move onto either Sue or Lycra. I have no idea what we’ll do with them, though.

There. Sorry, Charlie.

No. No worries. Thank you. We have to do what we have to do. And can you hear that? Silence. It’s bliss.

Oh yes. I hadn’t noticed it!

We quickly get used to things, don’t we? Right. Is it me, or is it getting really hot in here?

The Dropped Apostrophe must have turned the heating up.

It shouldn’t be working, but you’re probably right. We’ll leave Crimson to sleep soundly on this bed, and move on. Psychic Sue’s powers work whether she’s awake or asleep, so a tranquilizer will be no good to her. I think Lycralad’s powers work the same way, but I’m not sure. He will need to be the next one to do something with, to at least regain structural integrity. He’s in room 40 at the end. We’ll take a tranquilizer just in case.

Will he be like the others? Zombie like?

There’s every possibility, Adam. We’ll have to be prepared. We may need a couple of metal chairs this time.

Oh… no…

Don’t worry – I’m joking. I hope. Phew. It’s scorching hot now.

Yeah, but like the screaming the heat seems to be being deflected as well.

You’re right. I hadn’t noticed that, but you’re right. OK we are here. Ready?

Ready as I think I’ll ever be.

I’ll go in first. You wait here for a second. Phew. Oh. My. Word.

What is it? What’s wrong? Is Lycralad OK?

He’s standing by the window, looking out. The room is trashed. The wallpaper, sheets, even the bed are in shreds. The bed is metal. We may need those chairs after all. Oh my, the heat. Lycra’s just standing by the window. I don’t think he’s aware we are here. I should just be able to give him the injection. I’ll go for it. Oof! Lyc*

Charlie! CHARLIE!!! Uh oh. He’s out cold. Lycralad, it’s me, Adam. Adam Rawlinson. We’re friends, remember. You must remember. Lycralad! Don’t! Stop! You’re hurting me. Lycralad. Stop it! STOP IT ALEX! You’ve stopped. Let me do this and put you to sleep. Do you understand me? Blink if you understand. He blinked. He BLINKED!! Sorry but you know this is for the best. There. Come with me, there. Gently does it, lie on the floor. Relax. There. I’ll hold you while you sleep. It’s OK now. It’s OK.

Ugh. Adam. Oh. I’ll leave you two here, Lycra’s settled. Now to see about Sue. I need Viridian. There’s always a surprise in this game.

Thanks, Charlie. I’ll look after Alex now.

OK. Back downstairs I go. Lock the door, Adam, just in case. You’ll be safe in here. Psychic Sue is in room 12, so I’ll just have a quick look in on her on – no, I won’t. That thought was very clear. I’m being directed. Could it be Sue? It didn’t seem like Sue’s voice. Odd. I’ll make my way downstairs to the kitchen, and see how the Apostrophe is getting on. It’s even hotter down here now. On the other side of this door is the corridor, with the kitchen at the far end, by the front door. I’d better be on my guard, just in case. Whoops. I tripped over something. Someone! It’s the Apostrophe. He’s unconscious.

It’s just the heat, Charlie.

Who? Firetop? Where did you come from?

The Apostrophe brought me in from outside. I’ve been contributing to this mess, and the Apostrophe worked it out. As my heat powers went haywire, I was channelling all of the excess heat out and up into the sky. That heat was fuelling the energies from the solar flares which were affecting Sue, who in turn was affecting everyone else. Why you and I and a few others aren’t affected by the psychic bombardment is a puzzle – it’s as though we are being shielded.

Adam said something similar.

Adam? Never mind. The Apostrophe suggested I use my heat on this ice. It’s now starting to melt. I think the heat is too much for Icewind, as it was the Apostrophe.

Once he’s free, we can get Viridian up to Psychic Sue and sort her. You’ve settled Crimson and Lycra?

Yes. They’re sleeping soundly now. Adam’s with Lycra.

Who is Adam?

He’s Lycralad’s friend in his secret identity, it seems. He’s been a good help, actually.

There. Viridian is free. Viridian, you go with Charlie to Sue, and I’ll bring these round. I’ll keep Icewind asleep until later.

Very well, my friend. They are all sleeping now, so should be no trouble. It is good to see you once again, Invisible Charlie.

And you too, Viridian. Now, shall we go and see to our colleague? Ah. The Dictaphone’s power is almost out. And now – no. It’s back to full strength again. There’s something odd going on. Is it of your doing, Viridian?

No. It is nothing of my doing whatsoever, Invisible Charlie. I do feel a presence, though, one who is giving a helping hand.

Yes. The story concludes next week.