Traffic

Dolan was making good time on the expressway when he first heard the booms. His car shook and his coffee thermos rattled in its cupholder. “Not again,” he sighed, flipping on the news station.

The announcer sounded as tired of it as he was. “Well, as you’ve probably guessed, it’s another Cape Alert Day here in Metrotown,” he said. “Looks like Screaming Banshee and the Blue Warthog are going after Sphere Labs; our on-the-spot WACN reporter Dan Shirley says they’re going after the facility’s padamantium supply, is that right, Dan?”

“That’s right, Bob,” Dan said, louder booms resounding behind him. “This makes it the second time this year they’ve attempted to steal the padamantium. As you know, that’s the only thing that can power Screaming Banshee’s Sonic Ray of Destruction, so naturally she wants to get hold of it. Why the Warthog wants it we don’t yet know. Local authorities have no comment so far but I’ll see if I can’t get a word from the mayor- wait- I think we might- yes-there it is, that’s definitely a blue cape! Bob, I can now confirm that Captain Super is on the scene and has engaged! Repeating, he has engaged Screaming Banshee! I’d advise everyone in the area to take cover now!”

“That would be anyone in the five blocks between Twelfth and Seventh going east, and Poppy and Laurel going north,” Bob the announcer intoned. “Remember, in these situations the city recommends that you stay indoors if possible and get as low as you can. Stay away from windows, head to a basement or interior hallway; if you’ve got a special cape shelter now’s the time to use it.”

Dolan, in his car, swore quietly. That area included the office building and the drab grey cubicle in which he toiled. If Captain Super was fighting Screaming Banshee anywhere near there, he was definitely going to be late for work. He looked ahead, and saw that cars were already slowing down. Dolan reached with one hand for his phone so he could give Theresa, his manager, a heads-up.

Just then a red energy beam scissored across the expressway, cutting a gash through the concrete and slicing through the steel guardrails. Dolan slammed on the brakes just in time to avoid a fatal dive into the new surprise chasm. Even before his car had fully stopped, he was already kicking his door open and scrambling out. He knew from hard experience what would happen next.

Sure enough, the red beam swept back, widening the gash in the road and vaporizing Dolan’s car in the bargain. Luckily he had just managed to grab his phone. He dialed Theresa. “Hey, it’s me. I’m gonna be late for work. Yeah, it’s not just that; Proton Guy must’ve made bail because he just tore a new one in the expressway. Probably going to join the fight or something. Yep, he got the car. Third time this year; my insurance is gonna be hell now. Anyway, I’ll be in soon as I can. See you.”

He clicked off and began walking. If he was lucky, by the time he reached a bus stop the battle would be over, and he could make it to work during the all-clear. If he wasn’t, well, so it went. Dolan wondered once again, as he trudged down the highway, whether he should go remote and move out of the city. Maybe there was some suburb or rural town where they didn’t have major battles like that. Someplace … small, maybe.

It was a thought he continued to muse over as he walked on down the highway, while red laser beams flashed and sonic booms echoed behind him.