The Making of a Super Hero

                                                                                           

                  The Making of a Super Hero



                                                                  By: Chase Walker





    The cold wind brushed past my face as I stepped  out of the tall wooden door making my way down the concrete steps, taking in a deep breathe of fresh mountain pine air and looking up at the immense blue sky blotched with clouds that took shapes of numerous things in my mind. Thinking to myself that this was a great day to become a super hero. I struggled slightly to open the car door and clamored into the back seat.                                   
    Excitement filled my body but I remained calm, even though it became more difficult the longer I sat there. The sun was setting casting bright warm colors across the clouds, I flinched when a ray of sunlight flashed through the window of the car making me look away. After my eyes refocused I could see the store coming into view, at the time it was the most beautiful thing I had seen.
    The car ride seemed like it took forever but we were finally searching the parking lot for an open space. My eyes darted back and forth trying to find one, the asphalt paving baked in the dwindling sunlight but my heroic efforts of concentration paid off when I spotted the perfect space. It was like finding gold, simply perfect in every way in the eyes of younger me.
    Although I did my best efforts to alert my mom, another car quickly pulled into it before my mom had the chance. This crushed my heart, it was as if someone just stole gold from me. The car had to be pure evil it’s ominous appearance burned into my vision, it had black paint and head lights more horrible than a fly, a simple look would pierce through to your soul. If I was a super hero I would not stand for such expressions of rudeness as this, I would grip its fender in my mighty hands and simply hurl it five hundred yards with little effort. I let thoughts of my powers fill my head, each one sending my heart fluttering with excitement and awe, these thoughts washed away my worry and sorrow filtering away any trace of the car from my mind.  It wasn’t the end of the world even though I might have thought it was for a few seconds.
      We made our way to the back of the parking lot getting further and further away from the front doors of the store, finally parking the car. I hastily jumped out of the car, hitting the asphalt with a loud thud, feeling the rough, coarse pavement on my palms, the sun baked the ground burning my hands. I quickly got back up and brushed my hands down my shirt trying to get all the dirt off, satisfied with my attempt at cleanliness, I looked around for my mom. Finding many shining cars around me, I became mesmerized by the sparkling. Some drove by, their towering structures striking me with fear and I began to panic, where was my mom I thought to myself. She was lost to me, I would have to save her, my super hero instincts told me. Just like all the super heroes on TV saving poor lost civilians, I too would perform this heroic act. But before I could begin my mom had a hand on my shoulder bringing my focus back to the store. 
    We began the long and painful journey to the gleaming glass doors of the store, my only comfort was the warm embrace of my mom’s hand and the thought of the first crisp step through those doors.
    The sun began beating down on my back tormenting me with its excruciating heat, I would have done just about anything for some ice cold water to refresh my dry throat. As if that wasn’t bad enough my feet started to tire. I was a super hero though, these were just minor inconveniences.
    I could feel the cold air-conditioning emitting out, making my whole body relax and bring a calming sensation through both me and my mom. I stepped up to the door and as if by some sort of extreme magic the clear glass doors just simply slid aside. A wall of cold, fresh air blew past us, welcoming us into the store with what I thought was just the most perfect way to start the exploring for everything needed to turn me into the greatest super hero this town would ever know.
    The first steps in the store were even greater than I could have imagined, every step on the mirror like tile felt like stepping on glass every step I took had to be taken cautiously as not to crash through into a dark under world, well at least in my mind it was like that, I could tell from my mom’s face she didn’t share the same caution, she didn’t know what she was missing but I guess I wouldn’t keep myself worrying about this with the more important tasks at hand.
    It was almost like I was suspended above the clouds with all of the lights on the ceiling cascading a magnificent bright ray down to the white tiles on the floor.  Metallic racks with clothes hanging on them were on either side of us making a thick jungle that seemed to loom over me. I wondered what sort of villains could be lingering in the dark shadowy area enveloped behind the clothes. I would walk through exploring this clothes forest expressing my bravery even as sleeves pestered me by grabbing onto my arms like wicked tree branches, these were monsters and my current self would be no match for them I’d have to wait to be a super hero before I could enter this wild untamed area. As tempting as traversing the clothes jungle seemed to me at the time I wanted to stay on the magnificent tile where it was safe and not walk on some plain carpet that had monsters lingering above waiting for an opportunity to grab me.
    I followed my mom to our first destination, she seemed to know what she was doing. To pre-occupy myself I stepped on each individual tile never stepping on a crack, not really trying to challenge myself but it amused me.
    We arrived at a large clearing with the clothes forest far away making me feel slightly vulnerable. There were many tables with rolls of fabric in a wide variety of amazing colors, from my favorite color of green to every shade of every color imaginable. My eyes darted back and forth trying to take in all the colors as a smile formed on my face I found what we needed. It was black fabric, just like the night sky without the stars.
    A strange looking lady with gray hair rolled a lengthy piece of the fabric out and smiled at me in a weird way that slightly creeped  me out, she had wrinkles creasing her face and her skin seemed flakey and dry powdered with an excessive amount of make-up like a clown, I shivered at even the thought of a clown. Her gray hair was thin and fragile like her small boney hands that sheltered long claw like nails that weren‘t even the normal color, unlike my own hers were a dark red just like the lipstick plastered over her mouth. My small fear of this women would just keep growing as she pulled out a large pair of scissors that looked cold and filled with evil. I could barely watch as she began to cut into the fabric, her weak hand shaking with each snip. The sound was strangely soothing to my ears though, every crisp cut distracted me from the scary lady and I was at peace again, because I was that much closer to becoming a super hero.
    Unfortunately we had one last thing to find. I wasn’t complaining though, I just wanted to get away from that lady. Every glance at her sent chills down my spine, it was like standing in an unforgiving snow storm.
    Yet again we made our way down the tiled path ways, but this time I took in the scenery around me instead of focusing on stepping on just the tiles. The clothes forest corrupted most of my view but I could still see large signs hanging from the ceiling and giant metal shelves painted bland colors that weren’t amusing to the eye. I glanced behind us and saw a few people heading in the same direction. It was as if they were following us, a chill went through my body as a thought raced through my mind. They could be trying to stop me from becoming a super hero. We turned right  past a corner of the clothes forest, I accidentally brushed my hand across what looked like a very long fuzzy arm but turned out to be nothing more than a coat, and I took another glance back. They were still behind us and a tall man smiled at me exposing huge gleaming gray teeth that could chill even the strongest of men to the bone. I quickly looked forward again and walked right into my mom, she was looking at some strange yellow stuff in a tube.
      I recuperated from this brief run in with the back of my mom’s legs and found the same tall man walking by us giving me the same smile as before. Fearing that my future super heroing was at stake I tugged at mom’s arm and pleaded that we hurry, I was to panicked to keep on like this in the store.
    After what seemed like minutes of my very professional negotiating she gave in and we headed back the way we came, with black fabric and that strange yellow stuff in hand. We walked past the front door, confusing me, but I thought it better not to question my mom. Through the glass doors I could see the many cars but they had less of a gleam and only the reflection of the parking lot lights bouncing off of them, it was dramatically darker out with almost no rays of sunlight showing. Even the places that once made me feel lifted above the clouds were now cold dungeon like walkways.
    My plan was to get out of the store as soon as possible, once outside of this increasingly evil place I could escape the clutches of the villains that surrounded me and my mom. As if things weren’t bad enough there were people all wearing the same thing making innocent people line up in front of them, while they made loud noises with metal machines. Everyone of them had the same fake emotionless smile as the old lady and tall man.
    I was startled when my own mom got into one of these lines, I had to do something to keep her safe but my mind was blank. Not even my full concentration could muster an idea. Something caught my eye, it was sweet candy in small clear bags. I stepped closer for a better view, each tender step made my mouth water more and more. My eyes widened when I got just a few inches away, it was all irresistible, and I would have done anything to eat it all. My super hero senses told me that this could just be a trap, I stepped away quickly accidentally backing into someone. I felt surrounded as people were towering over me, I ran past leg upon leg until at last I found my mom. She was at the front of the line now, she handed the seemingly  evil henchman the fabric and yellow tube substance.
    They must have had her in a trance of some sorts, I had to act fast but my mind was yet again blank. I stared at the henchman to try and hopefully distract him, with every second that past my heart would beat faster and faster as I grew more nervous. I didn’t even blink, I could feel my eyes begin to water but I stayed concentrated proving I had what it took to be a super hero.
    Almost like magic the henchman gave the materials back, putting me at ease at least for the time being. It was at last time to leave, but it still felt like an eerie presence was lingering around us. I ran to the doors as quickly as my small legs would carry me. The smooth glass doors didn’t slide aside as before putting me into a panic, the only thought crossing my mind was getting to the sweet serenity of outside with its warm gentle breeze and calming sounds of birds singing and trees swaying back and forth rustling their leaves. I could see myself taking in deep wholesome breathes of the warm summer air, enjoying the outdoors to the full extent.
    Bringing myself back to reality my mom came up behind me at a calm pace, she must not have known the extreme danger that loomed over us just waiting to strike. The doors slid open all of a sudden, my mom came to the rescue just in time. I looked at my mom in admiration as we walked outside, she some how knew the secrets of escaping the store.
    I savored every simple breath I took, not even looking back as we headed for the car where once I was childish and so excited to go in the store that I fell on the hard coarse pavement. Though I came out more heroic so in a way it was extremely worth it. Every step I took was proud as my shoes thudded on the ground, echoing through the parking lot like victorious thunder. A feeling of accomplishment satisfied me and I took one last look back at the store.
    It towered high above anything I could comprehend and cast long dark shadows across the landscape, almost as if trying to extend its pure evil to the unknowing innocent world that had no choice but to embrace it and hope for rays of sunlight to save it. Maybe someday I could come back and save the poor old withering trees and the many birds huddling together waiting for the cold grasp of night in there rough nests settled neatly between the ragged branches.
    As we entered the car I was overcome with exhaustion, struggling to keep my eye lids from drooping I curled up in the back seat letting the soft padding warm my body. I fought the urge to sleep as long as possible, slowly but without a doubt my eyes gave in and I fell into a deep slumber letting dreams of becoming a super hero and all the adventures I would soon have, entertain me on the way home.
    Pulling into the drive way I half awoke barely able to focus on anything going on around me, I looked around through half opened eyes blurring the world as I knew it. Suddenly I was in my mom’s arms, or so I figured, it was like flying seeing the world from this height. I watched the ground rush by as my head drooped down, seeing grass and rocks in a new perspective captivated my dim vision as yet again a rush of exhaustion came over my small body. As I yawned gaping my mouth wide I could hear my mom tell me to go to sleep and everything would be ready in the morning, it sounded muffled in my current state of mind but why argue.
    I felt my slender cape in hand and mask concealing my identity and looking good at the same time. I was standing on a concrete roof top the light of a full moon cascading on my back as I looked down at a bright city bustling with traffic and the sounds of sirens and honking horns rang out in the night air. I was a super hero, the single greatest hero on the planet, was this a reality or a dream? I didn’t care. It was invigorating feeling the wind ruffle my cape, every super hero gadget imaginable at hand. I was unstoppable nothing could take these feelings away from me, this was everything I had wanted for months.
    Then I woke up. It may have been a dream but every aspect of it remained vivid in my mind, unforgettable for a life time. Dim light was shining through my open window, a calm breeze brought the beautiful scent of pine into the room. I looked away from the window seeing my mom standing at the edge of my bed holding in one hand a glorious cape with a hood attached and small pointed ears and in the other hand a black long sleeve shirt with a yellow logo centered on the chest. Nearly speechless, I managed to utter a thank you. I was amazed at the shear perfection and beauty of this outfit, smiling from ear to ear I jumped out of bed giving my mom a hug then pulling black pants on and throwing the rest of the outfit on in a hurry. The outfit was empowering, I truly felt like a super hero.