Frazzled nerves

Greg’s POV

I took a deep breath, the memory of the dark warehouse flashing in my mind. “It was worse than I expected,” I began, my voice low. “I thought it was just going to be about finding her brother, but when I got there… it was a whole operation. Traffickers, armed and ready. There were so many kids, Anna. Tied up and scared out of their minds.”

Anna’s hand found mine, and she squeezed it gently, her touch grounding me. “You saved them, Greg. You did what no one else could.”

I nodded, though the images still haunted me. “Yeah, but it’s not enough. Those people… they won’t stop. And I can’t just go around beating up traffickers and breaking kids out of warehouses. It’s not sustainable.”

Anna propped herself up on one elbow, looking down at me with that fierce, determined look I’d come to love. “You did the right thing. And maybe we can’t save everyone, but tonight you saved sixteen kids. That counts for something.”

I looked at her, appreciating the way she always saw the good in what I did, even when I struggled to see it myself. “Thanks,” I said quietly. “I just… I don’t know how to balance this life we’re trying to build with the person I am.”

Anna smiled softly, brushing a strand of hair away from my face. “You’re a protector, Greg. You always have been, and that’s not going to change. But you’re also allowed to live your life. We can find a way to make both work.”

I pulled her close, our foreheads touching as I took comfort in her presence. “I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

“You’re not going to find out,” she whispered, and we stayed like that for a while, wrapped up in each other as the world outside our little bubble felt a little less daunting.

After a while, the tension eased, and we found ourselves drifting into lighthearted conversation, planning our ridiculous attempt at fitting in with the neighbors.

Anna joked about what we’d wear, what kind of wine we should bring, and how we’d need to act as normal as possible. It was silly, but it was the kind of silly we both needed.

I leaned over and kissed her, slow and sweet, letting the worries of the day melt away. “Let’s just try to enjoy this, okay? No more fights, no more running. Just one normal dinner with normal people.”

Anna laughed, nodding. “I can handle that.”

***

The day at the office dragged on as time seemed to stretch itself.

My thoughts were miles away, consumed by the upcoming dinner with Alex’s family. My usual focus was lacking as I stared blankly at my computer screen, my mind racing with concerns about how to fit in, what to wear, and what would be appropriate to bring.

My thoughts was abruptly shattered by a loud bang on my desk. I jolted upright, finding one of my colleagues, Tom, glaring at me with a look of concern mixed with frustration. He was a burly man with a thick mustache and a booming voice.

“Hey, Greg! What’s going on with you today? You look like you’re a million miles away.”

I blinked, trying to shake off the fog in my mind. “Sorry, Tom. Just a lot on my mind. I’ve got this dinner tonight with another family, and I’m not sure what to bring or even what to wear.”

Tom’s expression shifted to one of amusement. He chuckled and leaned in closer. “Ah, first time doing this, huh? You’re worried about the little details. Here’s a pro tip: you can never go wrong with a nice bottle of wine and a simple dish. Maybe something you can cook at home, like a lasagna or a casserole. It’s homey and impressive.”

Another coworker, Lisa, joined in, her curiosity piqued by the conversation. She was a petite woman with sharp eyes and a penchant for fashion advice. “Tom’s right, but don’t forget the presentation. A well-chosen table setting can make a big difference. And if you’re unsure about the dish, just ask your wife. She probably has a better idea of what would be appreciated.”

Their advice was well-intentioned but only added to my mounting stress. The noise in the office grew as more people chimed in with their own suggestions and anecdotes. I could feel the walls closing in on me, the pressure of wanting to make a good impression amplifying with every word.

Finally, overwhelmed and unable to concentrate on anything productive, I stood up abruptly. “Thanks, everyone. I think I need some air.”

Ignoring the puzzled looks from my colleagues, I walked out of the office, heading straight for my car. Once inside, I fumbled for my phone and dialed Anna’s number, hoping her calm voice would help center me.

“Hey, it’s me,” I said when she picked up. “I’m feeling a bit shaky here. Everyone’s giving me advice about the dinner, and I’m just not sure what to do.”

Anna’s soothing voice came through the phone, immediately easing some of the tension. “Greg, it’s going to be okay. It’s just a dinner with new people. The important thing is to be yourself and show that you care. Everything else is secondary. We’ll figure out what to bring together.”

I took a deep breath, feeling a bit more grounded. “Thanks, Anna. I just want it to go well.”

As I was about to hang up, the wail of a bank alarm pierced the air. My super hearing picked up the distinct sound of gunshots from a nearby block. I paused, torn between my responsibilities and the urgent need to respond to the robbery.

“Anna, there’s a bank being robbed nearby,” I said, my voice tinged with concern. “I need to check it out.”

“Be careful, Greg,” Anna warned casually, seeing as bullets wouldn’t harm me. “We don’t need you getting hurt.”

“I will,” I assured her, already mentally preparing for action. “I’ll call you later.”

I ended the call and quickly grabbed a mask I kept in my car for situations like this.

The mask was simple, a dark, snug fit that would conceal my identity without drawing too much attention. I took a deep breath and focused, harnessing my super speed and strength as I sped toward the bank.

The streets blurred around me as I raced through the city.

My heart pounded, not just from the physical exertion but from the adrenaline of knowing that lives might be at risk.

The bank came into view, and I skidded to a halt just outside, taking a moment to assess the situation. The bank’s front doors were ajar, and the sound of shouting and chaos leaked out into the street.

I slipped into the bank, my movements almost a blur. Inside, the scene was chaotic. Several masked robbers were shouting instructions at the frightened tellers and customers. The robbers were armed, their guns raised, and I could see the fear on the faces of those around them.

I used my super speed to dart around the room, disarming the robbers before they could react. My movements were so fast that the robbers barely had time to process what was happening. I grabbed the guns from their hands and knocked them out with a series of swift, precise blows.

One of the robbers attempted to run, but I was already there, grabbing him by the collar and tossing him aside with minimal effort. Another tried to reach for a hidden weapon, but I intercepted him mid-motion, knocking him to the ground.