How Not to be a Superhero part 2

Part 2

Barnes on the BBC



When the car pulled up that next morning Reggie was dressed and not at all ready to go. He didn't want to be on television, he did not know if his police caution would be some how violated by talking about the situation and most of all he did not want to look an arse in front of the nation – which is exactly what was going to happen, damn that veronica with her persuasive ways.
Irene was still in bed working off yet another hangover, she herself had become something of a local celebrity among the wrinkle girls of the social club. He had not informed her he was going on the BBC and neither was he going to, he knew enough people were going to see it.
He left in a hurry before the nerves got the better of him, the driver greeted him politely and Reggie wondered if he knew what he was going on tele to talk about. If he did he didn't comment on it, which was a blessing it gave Reggie time to work out just what he was going to say, he couldn't tell them he was possessed by the soul of some other worldly superhero, he already though he was mad he did not need everyone else to think the same. So why had he thought it prudent to scale a government building dressed in badly patched spandex? He sank lower into the seat, cheeks burning, the truth was he had no idea, he was not an imaginative man stories did not naturally come to his head.
The drive seemed to take an eternity as he had to cross most of London, traffic was bad, roadworks dotted an random points slowed them up even more, he had never felt more like a caged animal, the collar of his shirt felt tight, his arm pits were soaked in sweat and if there were bars he would have been rattling them.
He was led into the building, given a badge and sent elsewhere, when the lift doors (or elevator doors to Laurence) opened he was met by a small brunette lady carrying a clipboard, she was wearing a tight blue lined shirt and skirt, he knew it was Veronica before she even introduced her self and he was not disspointed, in fact he thought he was in love, his cheeks went red.
“Mr Watts.”
“Hmm?”
“Hi I'm Veronica we spoke on the phone.” She said sounding offical, she put out her hand and he shook it and wished he hadn't his palms were sweating, she didn't say anything.
“Oh yes, hello, um.” he looked around, “Wow the BBC.” he said for no reason.
She smiled but not with any warmth, “Yes.” He thought she might get that a lot, “Anyway thank you for coming I wasn't sure that you was. If you follow me I'll prep you on what is going to happen, so you'll be ready for the lunch time news.”
“Are people really that interested?” He said following her down one of many corridors.
“if they were really interested you'd have been on the evening news.” She laughed properly this time, when she didn't hear him laughing she said seriously, “They are enough, after all you haven't got any children of your own, the police won't talk so people want to know what you were doing, to be honest I'm fairly interested myself.”
“You are?”
“Sure.” she shrugged.

The old lady never made it to the hospital, he gritted his teeth as he brought her into the ward, the doctors took care of it from there, he didn't have the stomach to watch as they covered her body, this was his fault he was too sure of himself, if Sludge was back he could not afford to be as sloppy as that, his nemesis was brutal and cared northing for life. First he would find those thugs and make them talk.

Veronica giggled as Reggie blinked back into reality, Not now, He panicked, for gods sake not now!
They had moved out of the corridor into a side room that was white walled and green carpeted, the panel lights of the false ceiling seemed really bright.
She bit her lip, “Your not usually my type you know. But you talked a good talk, I don't know why I'm doing this.” she laughed nervously ripping off a bit of paper from her clip board, “Here's my number Reggie give me a call when this is sorted.”
He looked at the number dumbfounded, she'd called him Reggie too, he'd gone again and...
shit what had Laurence done, got him a date, he grinned stupidly this split personality might not be too bad after all, Veronica was way out of his league.
He sat on set not feeling nearly as nervous as he was coming in that morning, he felt more confident after his time with Veronica so much so that he felt more like Laurence he just didn't care, if this was what confidence was it felt great.
He squinted as the studio lights came on, the makeup they had put on him felt slick on his skin but he was fine, he felt relaxed saw some guy behind the scenes give the signal and the news anchors began with there top stories while Reg watched from the side-lines it was weird seeing it live in the studio.
“...another body has been found, the cause of death so far is unknown it is however ever the fifth this week. Police sources say they are working with forensic evidience found at the scene, later we speak to police commissioner Alan Morden as puplic concern understandable grows, after all these attacks seem random and unprovoked.”
That was bad, Reggie had been so engrossed in his own world that this news had slipped him by, how on earth were they going to go from that to an idiot ontop of a building in a spandex costume he suddenly felt very nervous again
Before he had time to prepare he heard his name being mentioned as one of the anchors came over to sit with him, no doubt while the viewers at home saw a recap or something. To a certain degree the news presenter reminded him of Russell, the same self-assuredness and stupidly white teeth although this mans' hair was was oiled back and slick. Reg of course had seen this man many times on the box but had never really paid much attention, wasn't even sure of his name all though Veronica had briefed him that his name was Greg Whitehall, which was a coincidence when considering the story he was interviewing reg about.
Greg gave him a brief nod as he sat and turned straight to camera, “Joining us here in the studio this lunch time is a man who caused quite a stir in the media this week after storming a Whitehall government building in a superhero costume.”
A Stir in the media? Had he? He realised he hadn't actually looked at anything that had been printed about him, just how many people were interested in his story.
The newsman turned to Reg and it was as if a huge weight had been dropped onto his shoulders the studio was silent, he gulped.
“Mr Watts, could you start by telling us your reasons for climbing the building, it was supposed at first to be some sort of bizarre suicide attempt, however it now seems that you are campaigning for something.”
Reggie looked at him for a moment trying to gather his words together, “Yes, well...you see Greg, there are somethings in this world that even though they don't...ah...affect your life directly you feel you know passionate about.” He winced, god he wished the floor would open up and eat him.
Greg was nodding seriously, “Yes it says here that your neither married nor do you have any children, so what prompted you fight like this.”
Reg liked the way neither had mentioned what exactly was his cause, Reg had none after all and Greg was playing it safe, that was good he could skirt around the edges.
“No, that's true...you see out there in our nation there are many...ah, people who are deprived of the said thing that we're both obviously talking about and I felt that it was time I got involved.”
“Which you did, obviously.”
“Right.” Reg agreed. This was a mess, he saw people in the background glancing at each other, someone was waving something to Greg, hopefully it meant wrap this up. Greg shook his head slightly a Reg sighed.
“So Mr Watts now that we know why you did what...” A strange look passed over Greg's face as he pushed his finger into his ear piece, “We're just getting something in. Excuse me Mr Watts, thank you for your time we'll be back shortly.”
Greg very seriously turned to the camera and began reading from an autocue, “Police sources had confirmed the identity of several of the victims as Laurence Barns.” Greg looked confused but was prompted to continue, Laurence Barns 66 of Uxbridge, Laurence Barns 42 or Richmond, Laurence Barns 40 of Wimbledon, Laurence Barns 35 of Tootine and Laurence Barns 24 of Brixton as you can see ladies and Gentlemen so far the killer has struck only gentlemen of a certain name police are advising people not to panic but if they do know a Laurence Barns or if you go by that name to contact your local police station.
Reggie felt like he had a cannon ball rolling around in his stomach, he was a Laurence Barns and someone was hunting him, he had gone pale a cold sweat had broken out on his forehead, what the hell was going on?
“More on this terribly shocking story as we get it, an advice line is being set up and Laurence Barns's will be contacted by police. Mr Watts sorry we didn't have time to talk further.”
“Th..that's quite all right.” The lights dimmed in the studio as he began to shake uncontrollably.


Once there was a city that didn't exist other than in the head of it's creator, yet even so it was a thriving city of twelve millions souls, all of it as real to them as London was to Reggie they went about their day to day business knowing that unlike London their city had a guardian – a champion who would protect them in times of trouble his name was Hyper-man and he had just let an old lady die in his arms, of course the people of that city were still unaware that their guardian had let them down.
This was to be the first day of Sludge's campaign against him. It would last for days and by the end Hyper-man was shattered, emotionally and physically.
Hyper-man after leaving the hospital scoured the city for the scum who had acted mercilessly and he found them within the hour, their mutilated bodies were sprawled all over an alley off of thirtieth street, after alerting his friend and police commissioner Harry Dollins he did not hand around to wait for their arrival, if Sludge was in town and after him he had to act quickly.
In his private life and secret identity he was Laurence Barns a fact Sludge knew all too well, it would mean he would have avoid work, his friends and family even though it might have been the first place...
of course! He knew exactly the first place Sludge would go after alerting him to his presence. He had to get to Laura!


One thing became clear to Reggie as he came back to his senses the images of Hyper-mans last days in Neopolis had started to play in some kind of order, what had been distorted and after the destruction were now before the events that led to whatever fate awaited hyper-man.
What was not clear to Reggie was how he came to be standing before the Charing Cross police station from which he'd been released, he couldn't even remember how long ago that had been, it may have been as few as four days it might have been as many as seven.
Nervously he rubbed his forehead remembering that someone was out for Laurence Barns and knowing that it had to be more than just a coincidence maybe that was why he brought here, maybe it was finally time to tell someone what was going on, if he didn't this was likely to drive him mad (that was if he wasn't already). Entering the large wooden doors of the station his palms began sweating as he approached the front desk the police officer watched him approach, “Can I help you sir?” She said.
“Uh, yes I am looking for chief inspector Roberts.”
“Name?” She said turning to the computer terminal in front of her.
“Watts, Reginald Watts.”
She typed the information in and nodded, “That's fine you weren't due in for another hour but I'm sure he'll see you now.” She picked up the phone and began to dial.
They were expecting him, he had been due back but that had been in a weeks time, he'd lost three days after the BBC interview where had been what had he done?
Who was Laura? He didn't know yet but she was someone important to Laurence, she also felt important to him he felt a strange pang of sadness thinking about this faceless woman he was yet to learn of.
Roberts looking as sour as the last time Reggie had encountered him nodded for him to follow him into his office, this time it wasn't an interview room just a normal office, blinds, desk, computer all fairly standard.
The chief inspector offered him a seat and attempted a smile, the man had large purple bags under his eyes, Reggie couldn't remember if he had them before but he guessed this was a busy man, “I see you've dressed more apropriately this time Mr Watts.” He chuckled, Reg followed his lead just be polite.
The smile faded, “We're letting you go with a caution.”
“Oh thank you very much, I did cause quite a commotion I didn't realise...I mean I didn't think.”
“Well,” Roberts interrupted, “your records clean whatever whims you have in supporting any groups should be reigned in or next time it could be more serious. I also would advise you not to get overly friendly with the media that never helps, we've been busy recently.”
“With this Laurence Barns thing?” he asked.
“I can't really discuss it Mr Watts.”
It was now or never, the idea of telling someone what had been happening to him filled him with dread but he had to tell someone, and people were dying now this was no longer just inside his head, he took a breath and began to explain to Roberts everything that had been going on.
By the end of it Roberts lip and grown thin, lines appeared where they usually were, “Do you think this is funny?” he asked, “Is that what you do Mr Watts waste peoples time.”
Reg was taken aback he supposed he was hoping a bit much, “No of course not.” he struggled for an explanation, “in the interview – it'll be on the tape you asked me my name and I said it was Laurence Barns.”
“I was thinking the name was familiar. Although this doesn't look very favourable on your part after all it can't be coincidence that you happen to mention a name and then several people of that name show up dead.”
Reggie sat back aghast, “You think I did it?”
“Mr. Watts I don't know what to think, evidence is what counts you realise I'm going to have hold you over this.”
“What! No, I'm haven't murdered anyone do I look like a murderer?”
“Who does?” Roberts countered.
“Murderers do! That's who and I am not one of those anyway I can account for my whereabouts for all of those days.”
“Good I hope that you can, I'm still holding you until I listen to that tape again and we can check out your alibis.”

When Laurence had first met Laura she had been a reporter for the Echo a local Neopolis paper of little reputation and what little it did have was for printing trash, even with such a reputation it still managed to outsell any 'proper paper' she had been covering the Hyper-man's return after all the first Hyper-man had eyes peeled to the sky forty years before this man had shown up. She had wound up getting caught up in a firefight between local gangs, it was only years after they got together she admitted staging some of it to get his attention, not the fight, just the getting in the middle of it. Anyway Laurence and Laura Barns had a nice ring and their relationship would continue to grow until he had no choice but to reveal his true identity to her. Once they were together he felt he really had a purpose to be out there, saving people, or even the world was for her before sludge returned before he took her away.
By time he returned to the apartment – well what was left of the apartment – Laura was gone. The top five floors of the building were also gone, there was no rubble they were just gone this was the second stage of Sludge's attack, he never managed to find Laura, Sludge had left clues that was his way, his Hyper-vision picked up trails of her hair here and there, microbes of blood but they were random, or so he had thought until he hit the atmosphere the next day, exhausted from his search he sought the solace that only such a hight altitude could bring scanning the city he saw that Laura's D.N.A did have a pattern it formed a large arrow, which pointed to a specific place in the suburbs of the city, with a gritting of his teeth he knew exactly where it led.
With in seconds he was ripping the door off of his family home, his mother and father were both dead he found them in a pool of their own blood, grief shook him he was bone weary and he was emotionally drained.
And still no sign of Sludge.
He would pay.


He was curled in the foetal position on the cell floor, tears wet his cheeks. He had not really gone away during that visit to Neopolis it had been more like a vivid daydream, the people feeling as real as those he knew in his real life, he grieved for the parents he had found murdered were so much more loved then his feelings for his own mother, who for all he knew had no idea where he was, she would be worried. Laurences parents had paid the price for raising him right it seemed unfair. At this point Reggie felt neither like his self or like Laurence he was somebody in between he was both and he was neither, it was strange two lives insisting that they had both happened. He felt some of the power that Hyper-man had, not the super powers but the confidence the willpower the determination they were all feelings the shy, cowardly Reginald Watts had never experienced and it was wonderful.
He sat up feeling a new man, stronger emotionally he knew it wouldn't last as the visions of that other place went so did his link to Laurence and shortly he would be the cowardly Mr Watts once more, a loner who lived with his mother and had never been married.
“He's here you know.” Said the high nasal voice from over his shoulder, he turned sharply backing away into the corner, there was no one there only the darkness night had fallen, it was in his head.
He grimaced, his shoulders ached where he'd been on the cold concrete ground.
“He's hunting you, he's found he's way here and I'm lost.” The voice came again. Directly in front of him but there was no one there just shadows.
“Laurence?” he whispered.
There was no answer. Of course there was no answer this at least resloved him to the fact he was having some kind of breakdown, he was resolved that once he got out of here (if he got out of here) he would seek professional help, the dream was fading to memory and no longer seemed real as he knew it would it was scary maybe this was some kind of a side effect from a tumour, he would see a doctor this was scary now.
Although no matter how much he convinced his self this was all still in his head people with the name Laurence Barns were being killed, a name he had first heard before the murders had started. To a certain extent he almost felt responsible not of the actual deed but somebody out there had a grudge against the man who's memories he was having.
The cell door flew open, Roberts was framed in the light flanked on either side by two uniformed officers, they had taken his watch meaning he had no idea how long he had been in here or even what the time was, although these days time seemed to have little meaning to a man who's brain seemed to flit between worlds – maybe.
“There's been another murder.” Roberts said.
Does this man ever go home? Reggie wondered as he was led to a interview room, this one was larger than the first one they had questioned him in it also smelt fresher.
“I reviewed our tape, your right you do claim to be a Laurence Barns your location for the times of the murders also checks out it obviously was not you.”
Reggie sighed, “I know that.”
“Doesn't mean you don't have an accomplice or know who's doing it. I need to know who Laurence Barns is?”
“I already told you.” Reggie said self consciously, wishing that he had not said anything.
“We've also had contact with a Mrs. Irene Watts.” Roberts said to which Reggie groaned, “She said you have been acting erratic and out of character, you've also taken time off of work since you were last in, to be honest Reginald,” He puffed out his cheeks as if to say 'what can you do?' “it does not look good. I'll ask you once again who is Laurence Barns?”
For a moment the Chief-Inspector watched Watts, the man's fat cherub face disgusted him this was a weak man with rosey cheeks and beady eyes, he was balding it didn't mean he wasn't guilty he fit the profile of several known killers but there was a fumbling about him an almost childlike naivety and as he watched Reggies brow creased slightly and eyebrow raised, if possible his cheeks went from rosey fat to defined angles, they didn't physically change but Reggie was, a self confidence was settling over him, he opened his eyes and they were no longer the same man, the vice that issued wasn't polite queens English but a nasal american that could only come from a native, “I am.” He said coolly, Officer I need to explain I need your help.”


For four days straight, no sleep, no rest, no food, sludge had in his time away been a busy man he had organised they gangs, the dealers, the pimps and all the lowlife that stated away from Neopolis for the simple fact it was Hyper-man's home city. What ever he had promised them must have been something special because they had began a systematic dissembling of the city, murders were rocketing, people were afraid the media had turned against him in the midst of this and the people huddled inside their home at night praying they'd make it to the morning.
Through this all he grieved for his wife, his family, his son who at only eight months of age could hardly defend himself.
By day the city hesitantly had some aspect of normality, by night it was an urban war zone, Hyper-man at the fore the police department as his faithful troops but they were out numbered, people were leaving the city in their droves this was the death of Neopolis if something couldn't be done, and still no sign of sludge, at least not yet.
That morning after another night without sleep Laurence would have to maintain his secret identity that meant work, he was cracking mentally and physically,The restaurant in which he was chef was busy that morning, he'd burned several plates of expensive food, his mind elsewhere when a scream rang out from the front of house. Ditching the food he heading for the doors in time to see Sludge had entered and seated himself at a table browsing the menu.
It was obvious he was here for him, he knew his identity his history he knew everything about him while he knew nothing of this enemy other than he was from the future and claimed to be related as unlikely as that seemed.
Dribbling through his black teeth he beckoned other a waiter, whatever Sludge had done to his mouth it was scarred terribly it was also the only visible part of his face the rest was covered by his costume. The waiter a young man looked around at his colleagues for help and they all prentended to be busy.
“S...sir can I get you a drink?” He stumbled.
Sludges grinned wider, his spittle dripping onto the table, “You've got some guts boy.” He nodded, “I like that, come here.” He said wagging his finger hesitantly and sweating the boy leaned closer and whispered something the boy paled and met Laurence eyes as he stood looking through the round window of the kitchen door.
“Now boy I've done you a favour.” Continued in his hight squeaking voice, “Now you do me one and remember when the money starts coming in I want you to remember your uncle Sludgey.”
With that his arch-nemesis stood and left via flying straight through the building taking out the structural supports when he went, knowing Laurence would stay to help save the people from the collapsing building.
By time the clean up of his restaurant had finished the evening news headlined proclaiming that he Laurence Barns was indeed Hyper-man it was obivously the young waiter that Sludge had let go, the young man would seek his fortune and fame from this. He could not even begin to understand how this would impact his life, they weren't blaming Hyper-man any more they were Laurence Barns they had a real face with with to pour their frustration onto, now he could never go back to having a normal life.
Sludge and taken even everything from him, wife, son, parents and now his identity but why?
Why?