Author’s note: This is a continuation of part two of Hearts of Steel series, written in an experimental style of mine, mixing up the superhero genre with witty action-adventure and heart-warming romance. It is not final and subjected to change.
Do not redistribute.
As we wrapped up our conversation, I couldn’t help but feel a twinge of sadness at the thought of leaving Robin. I had really enjoyed talking to her and getting to know her, and I didn’t want our conversation to end.
Okay calm down.
Just ask for her number.
Casually and calm.
Just as I was about to ask, the train PA system suddenly blared to life. “Attention passengers, we will be arriving at the next and final stop in five minutes. We apologized for the sudden change in schedule. Please gather your belongings and prepare to disembark. For those who wish to continue their journey to Batavia Central Station, please take the Argo line. Thank you for choosing us. Have a pleasant day.”
“Of course,” Robin’s scoffs disappointingly. “Jacob, can you help me with my things?”
I quickly lend a hand to help Robin gather her belongings. I couldn’t catch my breath to even speak. She brought two hard cases of music equipments, small but weighs a ton. “You know, Batavia has a lot of concrete. You didn’t need to bring your own.” I jokingly comment.
She responded with a sarcastic “Ha ha” and I couldn’t help but chuckle at her reaction.
“Um, Robin, I was just about to ask you something,” I began, but before I could finish, Robin cut my words.
“Wait, Jacob. Let’s transit first, these are heavy and we have to figure out where our next train is,” she said, gesturing to the bags.
Oh come on!
Disappointed but understanding, I nodded and helped Robin navigate the platform, searching for the right train to catch. The station wasn’t crowded, but it was surprisingly busy for being in the middle of nowhere.
Though, it offers an amazing view. Fields of golden wheat stretched out as far as the eye could see, dotted with the occasional farmhouse or silo with the picturesque snow-capped mountain, far in distance. And beyond that, the towering skyscrapers of Batavia could just barely be seen.
This is it, a fresh start.
I took a deep breath and turned to Robin,
And a great one at that.
Just before I could catch up to Robin, I was interrupted by a voice behind me. “Excuse me sir, can you come with us for a moment?”
“I’m sorry?”
I turned around to see two officers standing behind me, both looking tired and worn. “It’s just a routine inspection, sir,” the female officer said, her voice filled with fatigue. “It won’t take long.”
“I’ll be right back,” I called out to Robin as I was escorted away. She looked at me quizzically and mouthed the words “hurry up” while pointing on her wrist, before taking a seat on one of the platform benches.
I have ten minutes to spare.
“Why am I being subjected to an inspection?” I asked, trying to keep my frustration in check. “I need to catch the next train, as the previous one came to a sudden halt here. Can’t this wait?”
The other officer, a much younger man than you’d expected to be security guard — now that I think about it, weirdly looks to be the same age as me, he responded firmly but I can see his eyes were shaking. “We’ll explain everything once we’re in our office,” he said, gesturing towards a hallway on the other side of the platform.
I followed the officers down the hallway and into a small, dingy room that seemed to be set up for interrogations. It was like something out of a movie, with a large mirror on one wall that I was certain was a one-way mirror. I couldn’t help but feel a sense of unease as I took a seat at the table. “So?” I queried.
“Put your belongings in the table please. Wallets — uh, your cellphone, and uh — any other personal items.” He requested me while sweat and nervousness filled his demeanor.
Wallets?
But I voluntarily do as he says. I do not want further trouble, and Robin is waiting for me. As I did, I glanced over at the female officer, who was standing near the exit of the room and seemed to be watching something through the window on the door. Her fingers tapped nervously on the handle.
“That’s all I got on me.”
All my things that I neatly placed on the table, were soon laid waste and searched. He then continues with his voice shaking slightly, questioning me as he held and inspected my identification card. “Can you tell me where you from, Mister Dagenhart?”
“I’m from Ristol, but born in Batavia,” I replied, trying to keep my voice steady.
“And what is the purpose of your visit?” he asked, his eyes narrowed as he scrutinized me.
“I’ll be attending university this fall,” I said, hoping that would be the end of the questioning.
But it was not to be. “On which campus?” the officer asked, toned with suspicion.
“Batavia University,” I replied, growing more and more uneasy by the moment.
And then, just when I thought things couldn’t get any stranger, the female officer suddenly grabbed my shoulder and congratulated me. “Congratulations, Mister Dagenhart,” she said, her grip tight. “We’re lucky to have more bright supers in Batavia.” I could’ve swore that she were by the door, no where near me.
“Beg your pardon? I’m not a super, I’m a firstie.”
The two officers stared at each other in confusion, and I could see the wheels turning in their minds. They seemed to be trying to figure out what to do next. “What do you mean, you’re a firstie?” the male officer asked, his voice raced with skepticism. “Are you denying that you’re a super?”
I don’t know, what the hell’s going on.
I shook my head, growing increasingly uncomfortable with the situation. “I’m not denying anything, but I am not a super! It even says it on my ID!” I reassure them.
The officers looked at each other, then back at me, their expressions perplexed. It was clear that they didn’t know what to believe. The male officer further asked, “How did you get into Patton-Hoff, then?”
I hesitated, trying to make sense of the situation. “Well, my school was predominantly — Wait, how did you know that?”
Then the female officer jumped in, trying to smooth things over. “No, we uh, must’ve mistaken you for someone else, Mister Dagenhart.” I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off, that there was more to this strange encounter than I understood. Though, I can’t wait here to figure it out.
Her grip on my shoulder finally easing, but I could feel her eyes pierced through straight into her partner. “I apologize for the confusion, Mister Dagenhart. It’s just that with all the new illegal supers popping up lately, it’s easy to get a little mix-up.”
“Yes, right, well, we’ll let you get back to catch up on your train then,” the male officer interjected, clearly eager to move on from the misunderstanding. “But please, do us a favor and keep an eye out for any suspicious activity. We can’t afford to take any chances with all the threats facing Batavia these days.”
“Okay, thank you officers,” I said, all relieved.
“I’ll be on my way now. Just let me gather my things.” Before I could repack all my belongings, without even touching it, it was already neaten back up in a blink of an eye. “Here you go sir,” the female officer handed with a smile, showing me the way out.
They left me at the and of the hallway. The platform had gone emptier. The clock had flew more than ten minutes. And Robin was no where to be found.
I still have the cassette.
End of part three.
