**Chapter 4: Red like...**
**Top of a Child Street Building**
From the top of a building, Brown and Camouflage, dressed in black and hooded, watched the fire spread rapidly through the orphanage. A weapon was set up on a tripod, equipped with a sighting scope.
Brown checked his watch:
- What’s he doing? It’s been 4 minutes since the rescue was notified.
- Patience, patience. Patience is the sniper’s greatest virtue; you have to wait for the perfect moment to take out a target...
A blue and red blur entered the building.
- Ah, there he is! Get ready! Quickly!
The blur moved extremely fast, entering and exiting the building, handing the children over to the arriving paramedics one by one.
Superman had scanned the building with X-rays as he approached flying. He detected several fires starting on each floor of the building. The children's dormitories were on the upper floors and were all trapped. There was no doubt that the fire was arson, but he channeled his anger towards the monsters who would harm children and set about ensuring their safety.
His speed allowed him to evacuate the children within minutes. They were shocked and some were slightly affected by the smoke, but they would survive. He had arrived in time, and once the last child was out, he sighed with relief.
- He’s there, go ahead, shoot!
- No, you see he’s moving too fast; we won’t get a second chance. If he spots us, we’re done for.
**Baker Orphanage**
Superman joined the Fire Captain to assess the situation. He landed in front of him, hidden from the snipers by the fire truck. He crossed his arms in his usual steel-man posture. His gaze was determined.
- Captain! I managed to get all the children out. The fire is very intense; what do you want me to do now?
- Thank you, Superman! If you could set up the hoses on the roof while I deploy my ladders, we might save valuable time. Do you have any idea where the fire started?
- I saw fires starting in each staircase; it’s arson! I’ll leave you to it; the sooner the fire is out, the fewer the traces left!
When Lois arrived, Clark flew back up to the burning building. He carried a fire hose and directed it at the blaze. His movements were quick, and he spent a lot of time on the opposite side of the building, unaware that he was being watched.
Lois took some photos to illustrate her article.
After 15 minutes of fighting the fire, it was under control, and the firefighters had set up their ladders and were ready to take over.
Superman went back to see the Captain, who dismissed him.
At that moment, Lois called out to him.
- Superman! Do you have a few minutes for the Daily Planet?
- Of course, Mrs. Lane! he replied, trying to maintain a professional demeanor, though he wanted to charm her. They didn’t need another scandal.
He approached her, and she took out her tape recorder, pretending to turn it on. Clark stood in front of her, back to the snipers, legs slightly apart and arms crossed in the confident superhero stance.
- Superman, what happened?
- When I arrived, all the staircases were on fire and the children were asleep on the upper floor. I proceeded to evacuate them and then I…
- Superman! Lois interrupted. Watch out behind you.
Superman turned just as two red beams hit him. He quickly spread his cape to shield Lois, who was behind him.
He was about to investigate the source of the beams when he heard Lois faint.
He immediately bent to help her, cushioning her fall but ended up falling with her, overwhelmed by her weight. He got up, checking her pulse while calling her name. A wave of panic washed over him when she didn’t respond. He was slightly relieved to find her pulse strong, though a bit rapid.
She opened her eyes after a few seconds.
- Clark?
- Lois, it’s Superman. How do you feel?
- I’m okay, just a bit dizzy... what happened?
- I don’t know, I saw those beams and you fainted.
He deliberately omitted his own loss of balance.
- Could you help me up, please? It’s not very comfortable here, – she said with a half-smile to try to reassure him. Her husband’s eyes were filled with concern, although he was making a commendable effort to hide it.
- Of course, - he replied with a half-smile. How frustrating it was not to be able to hold her in his arms.
He stood up and extended his hand. She took it and began to rise, but Clark found her grip unusually heavy. Usually, her 60 kg felt no heavier than a sheet of paper, and he was really shocked by the beams.
He tightened his muscular arms slightly, and Lois sat up slowly.
As Lois’s upper body leaned forward, he saw a second upper body of Lois remaining on the ground, as if she were splitting in two.
Last edited by Aurore; 10/20/24 04:56 PM.
