Taylor flopped onto Emma's bed, her face buried in a pillow. "I messed up, Em. I should have taken it slower with Winslow. We got too ambitious, too fast."

  Emma sat down beside her, placing a comforting hand on her friend's back. "Hey, don't be so hard on yourself. Look at all the good you've done."

  Taylor turned her head, peeking out from behind the pillow. "What good? We've got the ABB and who knows who else after us now."

  "Come on," Emma insisted, her voice growing more animated. "Think about it. Remember Jenny from our English class? She was barely scraping by last year. Now she's got colleges scouting her for academic scholarships."

  Taylor sat up slowly, her brow furrowed. "Jenny? Really?"

  Emma nodded enthusiastically. "And what about Mike from the track team? He just got an offer from Brockton Bay University. Full ride."

  "I didn't know that," Taylor mumbled, a small smile tugging at the corner of her mouth.

  "See? That's just the tip of the iceberg," Emma continued. "Even that quiet kid... what's his name? Greg? I overheard him talking about applying to some tech schools. He never would have had the confidence before. And you should hear Madison talk about the muscles he has gained."

  Taylor's shoulders slumped. "But if I go to the Protectorate, they'll make me stop. All those people... I'd be letting them down."

  Emma squeezed her friend's hand. "You don't know that for sure. Maybe they'd see how much good you're doing and want to help."

  Taylor shook her head. "No, I have looked into them. They'd shut it all down in a heartbeat. They're too scared of masters to see the potential. Have you seen the Canary case?"

  They sat in silence for a moment, the weight of their situation hanging heavy in the air.

  "Well," Emma said, trying to inject some optimism into her voice, "at least we don't have school tomorrow. Teacher workday, remember?"

  Taylor nodded absently, her mind clearly elsewhere.

  "And hey," Emma continued, nudging Taylor with her elbow, "you've got that lunch date with Theo on Saturday. That's something to look forward to, right?"

  A faint blush crept across Taylor's cheeks. "It's not a date," she protested weakly. "We're just... talking."

  Emma rolled her eyes. "Sure, just 'talking.' And I'm joining the Wards."

  That earned a small laugh from Taylor, but it faded quickly. "I don't want to join the Empire, Em. You know that, right?"

  Emma's expression grew serious. "I know. But... allying with them might be our best option right now. At least until we figure something else out."

  Taylor nodded slowly. "Maybe. I just... I don't know. It feels like we're running out of choices."

  Emma stood up, stretching her arms above her head. "Let's sleep on it. Things might look clearer in the morning."

  "Yeah," Taylor agreed, though she didn't sound convinced. "Maybe."

  Taylor knocked gently on the door to Mrs. Barnes' room, poking her head in. "Mrs. Barnes? Do you have a moment?"

  Zoe Barnes looked up from her book, a warm smile spreading across her face. "Taylor, dear! Of course, come in."

  As Taylor entered, she noticed Sophia gathering up some exercise equipment. The track star gave her a quick nod before slipping out of the room, leaving Taylor alone with Emma's mother.

  "How was physical therapy?" Taylor asked, settling into a chair beside the bed.

  Mrs. Barnes set her book aside, her eyes bright with enthusiasm. "Oh, it's going well! Sophia's been a tremendous help. I'm improving steadily, even if it's not as quickly as I'd like."

  Taylor nodded, fidgeting slightly. "That's great to hear. Um, Mrs. Barnes... I was wondering if I could ask you about something."

  "Of course, dear. What's on your mind?"

  Taylor took a deep breath. "Emma mentioned that you were involved with Lustrum's movement back in the day. I was hoping you could tell me more about that."

  Mrs. Barnes' expression grew thoughtful, a hint of nostalgia creeping into her voice. "Ah, Lustrum. That takes me back. It started so well, you know."

  She leaned back against her pillows, her gaze distant. "It was an exciting time. Alexandria, Rime, and other prominent female capes were gaining national recognition. Many of us felt it was the perfect moment to push for more, to finally break that glass ceiling."

  Taylor listened intently, hanging on every word.

  "Unlike the movements of my parents' generation, which focused primarily on legal issues for women, ours was more about societal change," Mrs. Barnes continued. "We tackled things like the gender pay gap, representation in media, that sort of thing."

  Her expression darkened slightly. "But then... things started to go wrong."

  "What happened?" Taylor asked, leaning forward.

  Mrs. Barnes sighed. "There was a push from some members that women HAD to be in charge. That if you wanted to be a housewife or take on any other traditional role, you were somehow helping men oppress women. Or that you were brainwashed."

  Taylor winced at that, a reaction Mrs. Barnes didn't miss.

  "I know, it sounds ridiculous now," she said. "But at the time, emotions were running high. Lustrum started listening to that wing of the movement more and more. Things became... radicalized."

  "Is that when you left?" Taylor asked softly.

  Mrs. Barnes nodded. "I was already married by that point, with Anne on the way. I couldn't reconcile the movement's new direction with my own life choices."

  She paused, a wry smile crossing her face. "You know, there's a theory some people toss around. They say a group infiltrated the movement and deliberately turned it radical for their own agenda."

  Taylor's eyes widened. "Really? Do you think that's true?"

  Mrs. Barnes shook her head. "No, I don't believe it has any real basis. The sad truth is much simpler: Lustrum simply got bad advice and made poor choices. It's easier for some people to believe in a conspiracy than to accept that good intentions can lead to harmful outcomes."

  They sat in silence for a moment, Taylor processing everything she'd heard.

  "Thank you for sharing that with me, Mrs. Barnes," she said finally. "It's... given me a lot to think about."

  Mrs. Barnes reached out, patting Taylor's hand. "I'm glad I could help, dear. It's important to learn from history, both the triumphs and the mistakes. Just remember, no matter what cause you believe in, it's crucial to stay true to your values and think critically about the actions you're taking."

  Taylor nodded, her mind whirling with implications. "I'll remember that, Mrs. Barnes. Thank you again."

  As she stood to leave, Mrs. Barnes called out, "Oh, and Taylor? Don't let the mistakes of the past discourage you from trying to make a difference. The world still needs people who want to change things for the better."

  Taylor smiled, feeling a mix of emotions she couldn't quite name. "I won't, Mrs. Barnes. I promise."

  The credits rolled on the screen, the faint glow illuminating the living room. Taylor and Danny sat on the couch, a nearly empty bowl of popcorn between them. As Denzel Washington's name faded from view, Danny reached for the remote and clicked off the TV. The sudden silence felt heavy, and he turned to look at his daughter.

  Taylor's eyes were unfocused, her thoughts clearly elsewhere. Danny cleared his throat. "Hey, kiddo. You've been a million miles away all night. What's on your mind?"

  Taylor blinked, coming back to the present. "Oh, sorry, Dad. I guess I have been pretty distracted."

  Danny shifted on the couch to face her better. "Want to talk about it?"

  Taylor hesitated, then sighed. "I... I've got a difficult choice to make soon. I'm not sure what to do."

  Danny nodded, his expression understanding. "Ah, high school. It's a time for tough choices and making mistakes. That's all part of growing up."

  Taylor looked at him, a hint of fear in her eyes. "I'm afraid you'll be disappointed in me."

  Danny was quiet for a moment, considering his words carefully. "You know, Taylor, that could be the case."

  Taylor's eyebrows shot up. "Wait, aren't you supposed to reassure me that I could never disappoint you?"

  Danny laughed, the sound warm and genuine. "I could say that, but it wouldn't be true. And I think you're old enough for some honesty." He reached out and took her hand. "Even if you were to disappoint me, I would never stop loving you. That's unconditional."

  Taylor squeezed his hand, feeling a lump form in her throat.

  Danny continued, his voice softer. "I know I've disappointed you recently. I wasn't there for you like I should have been after your mom died. But I hope things are getting better between us."

  Taylor nodded, unable to speak for a moment.

  "And hey," Danny added, "I wanted to thank you for that self-help book you gave me. It's been really helpful."

  Taylor managed a small smile. "I'm glad, Dad."

  Danny's eyes lit up. "You know, I was going to wait until it was officially announced, but I think you deserve some good news. The mayor has agreed to a project to reopen the ferry."

  Taylor's eyes widened, her earlier worries momentarily forgotten. "Really? Dad, that's amazing! You've been working towards that for so long!"

  Danny grinned, looking more animated than Taylor had seen him in months. "It's happening, kiddo. And you know what? It's thanks to you."

  Taylor's smile faltered, confusion (and a hint of fear) crossing her face. "Me? But... how?"

  Danny didn't seem to notice her reaction. "The mayor's feeling the pressure. The school superintendent is gaining steam heading into next year's election, and a lot of that has to do with Winslow's improved performance. And I hear you've had a big impact on your school."

  Taylor felt her cheeks grow warm. "I... I don't know about that, Dad."

  "Don't be modest," Danny insisted. "I've heard from some of the guys at the docks. Their kids have been raving about your study guides. You're making a real difference, Taylor."

  Taylor looked down, conflicting emotions swirling inside her. Pride at her father's words warred with guilt over the methods she'd used to achieve those results.

  Danny squeezed her shoulder. "I'm proud of you, kiddo. Whatever choice you're facing, I trust you to make the right decision."

  Taylor looked up at him, wishing she could share the full weight of her dilemma. Instead, she forced a smile. "Thanks, Dad. That means a lot."

  Danny pulled her into a hug. "Anytime, Taylor. Now, how about some ice cream to celebrate the ferry news?"

  Taylor and Danny sat at the kitchen table, bowls of ice cream between them. The mood had lightened considerably since their earlier conversation, but Taylor's mind still churned with questions.

  "Hey Dad," she began, idly stirring her melting dessert, "what were the 'bad old days' like in Brockton Bay? I've heard people mention them, but never really understood what they meant."

  Danny's spoon paused halfway to his mouth. He set it down, his expression growing serious. "Ah, the bad old days. That's not a time I like to think about much, but I suppose you're old enough to hear about it now."

  He leaned back in his chair, his eyes taking on a faraway look. "Back then, there were only three major gangs in town: the Teeth, Empire 88, and the Marche – that was Marquis's gang. The PRT ENE was brand new, just getting its feet under it."

  Taylor listened intently, her ice cream forgotten.

  "Marquis... he was brutal," Danny continued. "He had this code about not hurting women or children, but anyone else who got in his way? He'd kill them without a second thought. Racked up quite the body count of heroes over the years."

  Taylor shivered, despite the warmth of the kitchen.

  "The Teeth were absolute maniacs," Danny said, shaking his head. "A cult following the Butcher. And the Empire 88 under Allfather? They were even harsher than they are now. Something like a third of Brockton's minority population fled during those years."

  "Was Allfather worse than Kaiser?" Taylor asked, thinking of her recent encounter with the current Empire leader.

  Danny's laugh was bitter. "That's like asking if it's better to be shot with a cannon or a handgun. Kaiser is objectively... less awful, I suppose. But I don't like either of them."

  He took a bite of ice cream, seemingly lost in thought for a moment. "Allfather had a special hatred for Jews. And his daughter, Iron Rain? She was arguably even worse. Everyone thought she'd take over the gang – Kaiser wasn't even called Kaiser back then. Steel something, I think."

  Taylor leaned forward, fascinated despite herself. "What happened?"

  Danny's expression darkened. "It all came to a head when the Slaughterhouse Nine came to town. The Teeth hired them to take out the other gangs. Kaiser – well, he wasn't Kaiser yet – had been leading the charge against the Teeth after they killed an Empire cape named Heith. The Teeth were desperate, backed into a corner."

  If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

  He shook his head. "In the end, the only gang that got wiped out was the Teeth themselves. But the Empire lost several capes in the battles, including Iron Rain. Marquis didn't have any capes besides himself to lose, but his gang was hollowed out. Made him easy pickings for the Brockton Bay Brigade to finish off a few years later."

  Taylor's eyes were wide. "What about Allfather?"

  "He was badly injured in the fighting," Danny said. "And Iron Rain's death... they say it broke something in him. He stayed on as a figurehead, but that was about it."

  They sat in silence for a moment, the weight of Brockton Bay's violent history hanging between them.

  "It's better now, right?" Taylor asked, her voice small.

  Danny nodded slowly, his expression thoughtful. "In some ways, yes. The open warfare in the streets has calmed down. The PRT and Protectorate have a stronger presence now. But the problems are still there, just... less visible."

  He took another bite of ice cream, gathering his thoughts. "The gangs are more entrenched now. They've had time to build their power bases, to become part of the city's fabric. And new players have come in to fill the gaps left by the old ones."

  Taylor leaned forward, her curiosity piqued. "Like who?"

  "Well, there's Coil," Danny said. "No one knows much about him or his organization, but they're definitely a force to be reckoned with. And the ABB has grown from a small protection racket to a major player under Lung's leadership."

  He sighed, running a hand through his thinning hair. "And then there's the Merchants. They weren't even a blip on the radar back then. Now they're spreading like cancer through the poorer parts of the city."

  Taylor felt a twinge of guilt, thinking of her own role in the city's changing landscape. She pushed the feeling aside, focusing on her father's words.

  "So what's the solution?" she asked. "How do we make things better?"

  Danny smiled, but there was a weariness behind it. "If I had the answer to that, kiddo, I'd be running for mayor myself." He reached across the table, patting her hand. "But what you're doing at Winslow? That's a start. Education, opportunity – those are the keys to breaking the cycle."

  Taylor nodded, her mind racing. She thought of her plans, her ambitions to improve the entire city. Maybe her father was right. Maybe she was on the right track, even if her methods were... unconventional.

  "Thanks, Dad," she said softly. "For telling me all this. It helps put things in perspective."

  Danny's smile grew warmer. "Anytime, Taylor. I'm just glad we can talk like this again. It's been too long."

  They finished their ice cream in companionable silence, each lost in their own thoughts about the city's past, present, and future.

  As Taylor helped clear the dishes, Danny glanced at the clock. "It's getting late. You should probably head to bed soon. Don't you have plans tomorrow?"

  Danny dried the last bowl, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. "So... this Theo you're meeting tomorrow. He's the one you danced with at the gala?"

  Taylor felt her cheeks warm. "Dad..."

  "What? Can't a father be interested in his daughter's first date?" He waggled his eyebrows dramatically.

  "It's not a date," Taylor protested, though her blush deepened. "We're just getting lunch."

  Danny hung the dish towel, his expression playful. "Uh-huh. And I suppose he just happened to ask you out of the blue?"

  "I might have given him my number," Taylor admitted, fidgeting with her sleeve.

  "Ah, the plot thickens!" Danny placed a hand over his heart in mock scandal.

  Taylor groaned, but couldn't help smiling. "You're impossible."

  "That's my job as your father." He ruffled her hair affectionately. "Just remember – home by eleven, no drinking, and if he tries anything..." Danny mimed pumping a shotgun.

  "Dad!" Taylor swatted his arm, mortified. "It's lunch. At noon. In public at the boardwalk."

  "Still keeping that shotgun handy, just in case." He winked.

  As she headed upstairs to her room, Taylor's mind whirled with everything they'd discussed. The city's violent past, her own plans for its future, and now this unexpected complication with Theo. She flopped onto her bed, staring at the ceiling.

  Tomorrow's lunch suddenly felt far more significant than she'd initially thought. She'd have to be careful, to navigate this budding... friendship? Relationship? She wasn't even sure what to call it. But she knew one thing – she couldn't let her guard down, not with everything else going on.

  With a sigh, Taylor reached for one of her books. She had work to do before she could sleep. The city's future might depend on it.

  Danny pulled the car into the boardwalk parking lot, glancing over at Taylor in the passenger seat. She fidgeted nervously with the hem of her sundress, a light blue number that complemented her eyes.

  "You look beautiful, kiddo," Danny said warmly. "Theo's a lucky guy."

  Taylor felt her cheeks flush. "Dad, it's not... we're just hanging out."

  Danny chuckled. "Sure, sure. That's why you spent an hour on your makeup."

  "It wasn't an hour," Taylor mumbled, but she couldn't help smiling. It felt good to have this easy banter with her father again.

  As they got out of the car, Taylor spotted Theo near the boardwalk entrance. He was talking to a petite woman with mousy brown hair who held an infant in her arms. Taylor frowned, a pang of uncertainty hitting her.

  "That's odd," Danny murmured as they approached. "I wonder who that is."

  They drew close enough to hear the conversation.

  "Kayden, you should still be resting," Theo was saying, his tone concerned. "I only stayed over last night so you could get some sleep. Aster's been fussy."

  The woman – Kayden – shook her head. "I'm fine, Theo. I just... wanted to meet the girl who caught your interest." She smiled, but Taylor noticed she winced slightly as she shifted the baby.

  It was then that Taylor saw the cast on Kayden's arm and the fading bruises peeking out from under her makeup. Her stomach twisted uncomfortably.

  Danny cleared his throat as they reached the pair. "Good morning," he said, his eyes flicking between Theo and Kayden. "Everything alright here?"

  Theo turned, his face lighting up when he saw Taylor. "Oh, hi! You must be Mr. Hebert. I'm Theo." He extended his hand, which Danny shook firmly.

  "Nice to meet you, Theo," Danny said, then turned his attention to Kayden. "And you are...?"

  "Kayden," she replied, shifting Aster to her good arm. "I'm Theo's... well, ex-stepmother, I suppose."

  Danny's eyebrows shot up. "I see," he said slowly. His gaze lingered on Kayden's injuries, and his voice took on a careful tone. "Those look like some nasty bruises. Everything okay at home?"

  Kayden blinked, not catching his meaning at first. Then understanding dawned, and she shook her head quickly. "Oh! No, no, it's nothing like that. I, uh... had a run-in with some ABB thugs last week. Barely managed to get away."

  Taylor's eyes widened. She knew all too well how dangerous the ABB could be.

  "Max and I have been divorced for over a year now," Kayden continued, her voice softening. "Theo's just been kind enough to help out with Aster sometimes. He stayed over last night because she's been colicky."

  Danny's expression relaxed slightly, and he nodded approvingly at Theo. "That's very admirable of you, young man. Not many teenagers would step up like that."

  Theo ducked his head, looking embarrassed. "It's not a big deal. Aster's my sister, even if... well, you know."

  Taylor felt a surge of warmth towards Theo. His kindness and sense of responsibility were genuinely impressive.

  "Well," Kayden said, glancing between Theo and Taylor with a small smile. "I should let you two get on with your day. It was nice to meet you both."

  "You too," Taylor replied, finding her voice at last. "I hope you feel better soon."

  Kayden nodded gratefully and turned to leave. Theo watched her go for a moment, concern etched on his face, before turning back to Taylor and Danny.

  "Sorry about that," he said. "I didn't expect her to show up."

  Danny waved off the apology. "No need to apologize. Family's important." He glanced at his watch. "I should get going myself. You two have fun, and Taylor – call me when you're ready to be picked up, okay?"

  Taylor nodded, feeling a mix of nervousness and excitement as her father walked away, leaving her alone with Theo.

  "So," Theo said, a shy smile playing on his lips. "Shall we hit the boardwalk?"

  Taylor returned the smile, her earlier uncertainties fading. "Let's do it."

  Taylor and Theo strolled along the boardwalk, the salty sea breeze ruffling their hair. The sun glinted off the water, and the chatter of families and tourists created a pleasant background hum.

  "So," Theo said, breaking the comfortable silence that had settled between them. "How's school been lately? I heard Winslow's really turning things around."

  Taylor nodded, a hint of pride in her voice. "Yeah, it's been pretty amazing actually. Test scores are up, and there's been a lot less gang activity on campus."

  Theo raised an eyebrow. "That's impressive. How'd they manage that?"

  Taylor shrugged, trying to appear nonchalant. "Just some new programs and study guides, I guess. Nothing too crazy."

  They paused at a railing overlooking the beach, watching the waves crash against the shore.

  "What about you?" Taylor asked. "How's Immaculata treating you?"

  Theo's expression clouded slightly. "It's... fine. Academically, at least. Some of the kids can be pretty stuck up though."

  Taylor nodded sympathetically. "Yeah, I've heard that about private schools."

  They continued walking, stopping occasionally to browse the shops lining the boardwalk. Theo bought them both ice cream cones, and they sat on a bench to enjoy them.

  As they ate, Taylor found her mind wandering to her current predicament. The looming decision of what to do about her powers and the attention she'd drawn weighed heavily on her.

  Theo noticed her distraction and misinterpreted it. "I'm sorry," he said suddenly. "Am I boring you? We could do something else if you'd rather-"

  "No!" Taylor exclaimed, snapping back to the present. "No, Theo, you're not boring me at all. I'm having a great time, really. It's just..." She sighed. "I've got a big decision I need to make soon, and it's been on my mind a lot lately."

  Theo's brow furrowed with concern. "Do you want to talk about it? Sometimes it helps to get an outside perspective."

  Taylor hesitated, then nodded slowly. "Yeah, actually... that might be good. It's not exactly my problem though. It's... a friend of mine."

  "Okay," Theo said encouragingly. "What's going on with your friend?"

  Taylor took a deep breath. "Well... she's kind of in a tough spot. The ABB have been after her lately, and she's scared. But... the Empire has been protecting her."

  Theo's expression remained neutral, but Taylor noticed a slight tension in his shoulders.

  "The thing is," Taylor continued, "she's done some things that... Well, they weren't exactly legal. But she had good reasons for doing them. She was trying to help people, you know? But now she's worried that if she goes to the Protectorate, they'll just arrest her."

  As Taylor spoke, she could see Theo making connections in his mind. His eyes widened slightly, and he seemed to be piecing things together. Still, he didn't interrupt, letting her finish.

  "So now she's wondering if maybe... joining the Empire might be her best option," Taylor concluded, her voice barely above a whisper. "Even though she knows they're bad news. She just doesn't know what else to do."

  Theo was quiet for a long moment, his brow furrowed in thought. Finally, he took a deep breath and said, "I think-"

  Danny pulled up to the boardwalk, scanning the crowd for Taylor. He spotted her sitting on a bench with Theo, both of them laughing at something. As Taylor noticed the car, she stood up, giving Theo a quick hug before jogging over.

  "Hey, kiddo," Danny said as Taylor slid into the passenger seat. "How'd it go?"

  Taylor's face was flushed, her eyes bright with excitement. "It was great, Dad. Really great."

  Danny couldn't help but smile at her enthusiasm. As he pulled away from the curb, he glanced at his daughter. "Yeah? What'd you two end up doing?"

  "We walked along the boardwalk for a while, got some ice cream," Taylor said. "Then we played some of those carnival games. Theo's actually pretty good at the ring toss."

  Danny chuckled. "Sounds like fun. So, I take it the date went well?"

  Taylor nodded, a wide grin spreading across her face. "It went splendidly. Theo's... he's really nice, Dad. And easy to talk to. We ended up having this long conversation about books, and he recommended some authors I've never heard of before."

  As they drove home, Danny found himself transported back in time, remembering his first date with Annette. They'd gone to a small coffee shop near the college campus, and he'd been so nervous he'd spilled his drink all over himself. But Annette had just laughed, helping him clean up, and they'd ended up talking for hours.

  "You know," Danny said, a wistful smile on his face, "your mom and I had our first date at a little café near Brockton Bay University. I was so nervous I could barely string two words together."

  Taylor turned to him, her eyes wide with interest. "Really? You never told me that before."

  Danny nodded. "Oh yeah. I was a complete mess. But your mom... she had this way of putting people at ease. We ended up talking until the café closed, and they had to kick us out."

  He chuckled, shaking his head at the memory. "Of course, your grandmother wasn't too thrilled when Annette came home so late."

  "Grandma didn't like you?" Taylor asked, surprised.

  "Not at first," Danny admitted. "She thought I was too rough around the edges for her daughter. A dockworker's son dating a college girl? She wasn't impressed."

  Taylor frowned. "But Grandma always seemed to like you when I was little."

  "Oh, she came around eventually," Danny assured her. "It took some time, but she saw how happy Annette was with me. And, well, I think I grew on her."

  They drove in silence for a moment, both lost in thought. Then Taylor spoke up, her voice soft. "I wish Mom could have met Theo."

  Danny reached over, giving her hand a gentle squeeze. "She would have liked him, kiddo. If he makes you happy, that's all she would have cared about."

  As they pulled into their driveway, Danny turned to Taylor. "So, think you'll be seeing Theo again?"

  Taylor nodded, her cheeks flushing slightly. "Yeah, I think so. We're going to try to get together next weekend, maybe catch a movie or something."

  Danny smiled, feeling a mix of happiness for his daughter and a bittersweet twinge of nostalgia. "I'm glad you had a good time, Taylor. Your mom would be proud of the young woman you're becoming."

  Taylor leaned over, giving him a quick hug. "Thanks, Dad. I love you."

  "Love you too, kiddo," Danny replied, his heart full.

  Emma waved goodbye to the twins as she exited the modeling agency, her portfolio tucked under her arm. The late afternoon sun cast long shadows across the sidewalk as she spotted Taylor leaning against a nearby lamppost, engrossed in a book.

  "Hey, Taylor!" Emma called out, quickening her pace.

  Taylor looked up, a small smile playing on her lips as she closed her book. Emma caught a glimpse of the author's name on the spine - Condon.

  "How'd the shoot go?" Taylor asked, slipping the book into her bag.

  Emma shrugged. "Same old, same old. But never mind that," she said, lowering her voice and leaning in close. "Have you made a decision yet?"

  Taylor's expression turned serious. "I have," she said quietly.

  Emma's eyes widened. "And?"

  Taylor glanced around, then shook her head. "Not here. Later."

  Emma couldn't contain her curiosity any longer. "Okay, fine. But you have to tell me everything about your date with Theo. I want all the juicy details!"

  Taylor's cheeks flushed slightly, a rare occurrence that didn't escape Emma's notice. "It was... really nice," Taylor admitted.

  "Nice? That's all you're giving me?" Emma prodded, nudging Taylor's shoulder playfully.

  Taylor laughed. "Alright, alright. We met at the boardwalk, right? And at first, I was so nervous I could barely string two sentences together."

  "You? Nervous?" Emma feigned shock. "I don't believe it."

  "Oh, shut up," Taylor said, rolling her eyes. "Anyway, Theo was really sweet about it. He suggested we grab some ice cream to break the ice."

  Emma nodded approvingly. "Smart move. Go on."

  "So we're walking along, eating our ice cream, and he starts asking me about books. You know how I get when someone brings up literature."

  "Oh yeah," Emma chuckled. "I bet you talked his ear off."

  Taylor grinned. "Maybe a little. But he kept up! We ended up having this long discussion about dystopian fiction and its relevance to modern society. He even recommended some authors I've never heard of before."

  "Sounds riveting," Emma said dryly, but her smile took the sting out of her words.

  "It was!" Taylor insisted. "Then we played some of those carnival games. Theo's surprisingly good at ring toss."

  Emma raised an eyebrow. "Did he win you a stuffed animal?"

  Taylor shook her head. "Nah, nothing like that. But he did get me this," she said, pulling a small, intricately designed keychain from her pocket.

  Emma examined it closely. "It's cute. So, what happened next?"

  "We just... talked," Taylor said, her voice softening. "About everything and nothing. Our families, our hopes for the future. It was... easy, you know? Being with him."

  Emma studied her friend's face, noting the subtle changes in her expression. "You really like him, don't you?"

  Taylor nodded slowly. "I think I do. We're going to try to get together again next weekend, maybe catch a movie or something."

  "That's great, Taylor," Emma said sincerely. "I'm happy for you."

  Assault and Battery stood on a nearby rooftop, watching Taylor and Emma chatting outside the modeling agency. The late afternoon sun cast long shadows across the street, providing ample cover for their surveillance.

  "Armsmaster just gave us the green light," Assault said, his voice low. "Says he's got the evidence we need to confirm Hebert as our mystery master."

  Battery nodded, her expression tight. She glanced down at her phone, frowning at a message that had just come through. After a moment, she slipped the device back into her pocket.

  "Everything okay?" Assault asked, noting her hesitation.

  "Fine," Battery replied curtly. "Just... a lot riding on this."

  Assault raised an eyebrow but didn't push further. "Alright then. You ready to do this?"

  Battery took a deep breath, squaring her shoulders. "As ready as I'll ever be. Let's go."

  The two heroes made their way down from the rooftop, using their powers to move swiftly and silently. As they approached street level, Assault couldn't help but feel a twinge of unease.

  "You sure about this?" he asked quietly. "She's just a kid."

  "A kid with the power to alter minds," Battery reminded him. "We can't take any chances."

  They emerged onto the sidewalk, a few dozen yards from where Taylor and Emma stood. The girls were engrossed in conversation, oblivious to the approaching heroes.

  "Remember," Assault murmured, "we're just here to talk. No powers unless absolutely necessary."

  Battery nodded, her frown marginally decreasing as they closed the distance.

  "Excuse me, ladies," Assault called out, causing both girls to turn towards them. "Mind if we have a word?"