TITAN
Pregame

“We got theHotel Monaco, ya know. That place is nice. One of the advantages ofgoing to a preppie Catholic high school,” Drew scratched at something sticky onthe floor. “Are you taking Rose?”

Eric andDrew swept up after the evening skate session at the ARC. All of the figureskaters and their involved parents left a disaster in the warming room:cookies, crackers, chips, and other bits of food were littered across thefloor. Eric wondered if they had eaten any of it or just dumped it right on theground.

Eric wasbeginning to enjoy the “normal” moments. He felt like he was losing himself inTitan. Just being an eighteen year old, sweeping up cereal off the floor, wasrelaxing. The plain life he used to have was now more appealing than he evercould have imagined.

Eric cleareda smattering of Cheetos and potato sticks in front of the vending machines. “Iam.”

“But you’re,you know, together?” Drew began sweeping into a pile beside the bench where hisdustbin-on-a-stick rested.

“I think so.I haven’t really seen her much since our first date. We clicked.” Eric liftedthe table with his left arm and scraped the crumbs from underneath it. Hedidn’t realize that he was holding the whole table about a foot off the groundlike it weighed nothing. Drew didn’t notice.

“Did you seethe fight? You were down there, right?” Drew asked.

“Nah. Wewere gone by then. We heard some sirens but didn’t see anything,” Eric said. Hefelt a twinge.

Wouldthis be my life now? Lies? Thethought disappeared as quickly as it had come.

“That’s likecomic book shit. The Hulk or something,” Drew shook his head. “You know my dadsaid… he works for the paper, remember… anyway, he said that the cops thinkit’s some kind of military thing.”

“Yes. I knowyour dad works for the paper. You keep reminding me,” Eric said. “Why do theythink that?”

Why wouldthe cops think that?

“It’s notsomething they’d say to the media. But my dad’s around the station sometimesand, I dunno, it’s just something they think. One of the older cops said he’sheard of stuff like that. You know, testing on people to make super soldiers.”Drew scooped his trash into the bin and moved to the next bench isle. “LikeCaptain America.”

Eric watched Drew. Paranoia set in.

Did Drewknow? How convenient that aFairfax County cop happens to think that the Old Town fight was militaryrelated...

It wassilly. Drew didn’t know about Titan and the cop didn’t know either. It was thekind of BS that sold magazines talking about alien Elvis. Still... Ericrealized he would have to lie for the rest of his life.

“So who are youtaking to prom?” Eric changed the subject.

“I’m keepingmy options open,” Drew dumped out his dustbin. “We still have a couple weeks.”

“Yeah, buttickets go on sale on Friday. And you know how weird the administration getswhen you buy your tickets late,” Eric said.

“I do. Doyou? You didn’t go last year.”

“I hearthings.” Eric ignored the dig. “Besides, I’d like to do the whole prom thing,ya know? Get a buncha people together, get a limo maybe, go to dinner...”

“...getfucked after prom...” Drew laughed. “That’s my plan anyway.”

Eric smiledtoo. It felt good to smile for real. He had faked his way through a lot ofemotions over the last year. Only Rose had brought out anything good in him. Itwas nice to get back some of what he lost. Something told him it would be acommodity in the coming days.

“All I’msaying is we’re only high school seniors once. We spend all our time not reallydoing what other people do, playing Halo and just hanging out. Let’s belike everyone else for that night, huh?” Eric said. “And yes. Maybe get fucked.Though, I always thought I’d be more active... you know. ‘Fucked’ seems to melike we’re letting it be done to us… why don’t we deliver the ‘fuck,’ ya know?”Eric air-humped as he said the last part.

“Shut up,”Drew deadpanned. “But I agree. Let’s do that. Not the gay ‘fuck’ thing, but theprom thing. I’ll probably go with Constance. She mentioned to me some dressideas when we were at the mall awhile back. That bitch is a suuuluuut.”

“See I’ve always been of the school ofthought that the quiet, kinda repressed chicks are really good in bed. Likethey scream and really cut loose. I don’t actually know that, but...” Erictrailed off.

“Yeah. Keepthinking that. That’s what got you screwed last time. And not the good kind ofscrewed. That Melanie bitch fits that to a ‘T.’ Don’t go down that road again.Chick had a ‘daddy complex.’ Like she’s trying to rebel or impress him. Youwere just part of the ‘old shit.’ She dropped you as part of all that,” Drewsaid.

“Howinsightful. Where was this a year ago?”

“I dunno, Ibeen thinkin’ on it. I figured that’s why you were AWOL for so long. Trying tosort out all the Melanie bullshit ‘cause you like Rose,” Drew said. He metEric’s stare. A real moment. Drew didn’t have many.

“Of course,with a pair like Melanie’s got, I’da fucked her ten ways from Tuesday,” Drewfollowed up.

It went onlike that until the shift ended. Drew headed home and Eric went to see Rose. Hehad to see if she was busy on May 22nd.

* * *

Rose wasalways beautiful. There was something about her hair. It was a unique shade ofred. Under the right light, it shimmered. So did her skin. Rose hadn’t wornmake-up since Eric had known her. He imagined that it would cheapen her. Shewas classical and natural. Rose would be beautiful no matter how old.

Eric feltlike he was being pulled in two directions. Rose was pulling him toward her andaway from the loneliness. High school melodrama or not, the loneliness had beenreal. But with her, it went away. Eric loved her; he knew that, though hewouldn’t dare say it. Rational sense told him that to say it would spoil it. Hehad only known her for a little over a month. They were so young. But still heknew.

But therewas another direction. A place darker than the loneliness he thought he hadknown from before. This black was real and palpable. The pull was strong. Itwas with him every time he closed his eyes. Every time he blinked—even for thatshort instant—it was there.

Sarah.

The facethat met him in that dark place had been Sarah’s, though he prayed it wasn’treally her. That would be too terrible; more terrible than her years of pain.If she had gone to that place after she died, Eric didn’t think he could bearit. That’s why he let himself be drawn to it. Away from Rose and from himself.That voice, which wasn’t really a voice, whispered to him that he could saveher. If it was Sarah, he could take her from that place. He could change things.Because if she was there, it wasn’t where she belonged. It was a mistake.

If itwere true.

And that waswhat really frightened him. Not Titan. Not the demons. Not even the fear ofdeath.

No. EricSteele was afraid that his big sister was not where she was supposed to be. Andthat he had taken the place where she belonged. His dad didn’t understand andhis mom couldn’t. They could never be told.

Maybe he wasjust too weak. Eric hadn’t been raised to know Titan. He hadn’t been ready. Butthen again, maybe another way to look at it was that Eric became Titan pure andwithout judgment. Much like the first, whoever that had been. In either case,the dark sensed his weakness and it came for him; it slipped inside of him andwhispered worry and caution. Eric couldn’t be sure. Itwas here again...with him and he…

“Hey.”

Like acandle drives shadows away, Rose’s voice drove the dark from Eric. His heartwas clear and Rose was still beautiful. Eric wondered if she was the woman hewould be with for the rest of his life.

Is thateven possible?

“Sorry.Kinda zoned out for a minute,” Eric said. He wore a smile that he wasn’t surewas genuine.

Rose lookedready for bed. Her hair was down around her shoulders in long, light, twistingcurls. She was soft and bright. “Come in.”

Eric movedpast her into the foyer. She smelled like baby powder—light and wispy. It hadbeen unseasonably cool outside and Eric realized that he was shivering. Herubbed his hands together and tried to straighten himself.

“It’s kindalate.” Rose pushed the door to the latch but didn’t close it.

“I’m sorry.Really. I just, uh... well, I was at work with Drew and we were talking. I justhad to ask you something.”

Rose crossedher arms and pressed them into her chest. Her breasts grew behind her arms;Eric tried not to notice. Then he wondered if she did it on purpose. “Sure.Anything.”

“Uh, well,ha…” Eric was struck by the notion that he had killed four vampires the otherday, but he was afraid to ask Rose a simple question. “O-kay. Will you go tothe prom with me?”

Her facebrightened. Rose didn’t hide her emotions well. Eric didn’t mind. He likedknowing what she was feeling—just as she had known his thoughts and feelingswhen he had unintentionally laid them bare for her. She nodded first and thenspoke past her smile, “I already said ‘yes.’ But, I was still hoping you’dask.”

“Well… now.I should’ve officiallyasked sooner, I just have…”

“Been busy,”Rose interrupted him. Her smile lightened and then disappeared. “I know. Isaw.”

“You saw?”

“It was onthe news the other night. You were in the city, right? On the Mall,” Rose said.A note of something like disapproval hid behind her words.

“Yeah. Mydad and I have been training.That describes it best. There were badguys. Monsters. And now they’re gone.” Eric wasn’t sure how much to tell her.It was one thing to have a superhero boyfriend, but vampires were still new tohim, let alone Rose.

“You knowpeople got hurt, right?” Rose asked, but again it wasn’t really a question.

“I didn’tknow that. I was fighting for my life.”

Rose came tohim and placed her hands on his chest. They were warm and gentle, but firm.“Look, I don’t know anything about what you’re doing. But I know that you’resomething special. I think you would be special without this power, but it’syours anyway.”

“Well...”Eric gave her a roguish grin.

She smiledback but remained serious. “You have to be careful. If you’re supposed to be agood guy, you can’t just let people get hurt. I mean, you’re supposed toprotect people, right?”

Ericstiffened against her touch—not from discomfort or agitation, but affirmation.“Yeah. I am.”

“I saw youon that street, Eric. You didn’t want me to get hurt. You didn’t even want tohurt your friend who was trying to kill you. Don’t let whatever this thing ismake you lose yourself. I like that guy. I like you.” Rose’s hands slippedaround his shoulders and she drew him down to her lips. They were moist andwarm. She kissed him and he kissed back.

He didn’tknow why it happened—he wasn’t sure if he did it on purpose or if it was somekind of reaction, but his pores filled with hot, leaden strength. It wrappedaround his arms and legs, entwined through his fingers, and sewed together overhis skin. It washed over his face last and surged around his lips, between himand Rose. She did not draw back but embraced him harder. Her hands clutched athis shoulders, which now felt like rocks. Her lips met the tide of liquid metaland began feeling for Eric beneath; they found him.

Finally, shedrew back and so did he. Titan stood wrapped in embrace with Rose. She lookedup into his eyes—not eyes sealed by armor, but Eric’s real eyes. The maskdidn’t normally have lips, but a thin bonding surrounded his facial features soit was a marriage of Titan and Eric. Both present. Both holding Rose. But Ericfelt Rose through the suit. The sensation was something deep and for himonly.

Rose’s smilenever drifted from her lips. Eric knew she only saw him. And she loved him,too. He wondered if this had been planned; if Rose had been sent to him as partof some greater plan out of anyone’s control. Sent by God. He didn’tknow, but something told him that whether or not she had been sent, she was anangel. Eric didn’t like to get Nicholas Sparks-y, but he loved this woman andshe brought emotions out of him that he couldn’t explain or control.

“You bettergo,” Rose said. “My parents weren’t real happy about you showing up so late.”

“Tell themI’m sorry. It won’t happen again.” Titan’s voice was Eric’s but deeper. Bolder.He heard it and so did Rose. The mask slipped back and Eric was with her again.“I’m sorry.”

“I’ll tellthem, but... don’t be. Climb on up to my room anytime.” Rose’s left eyebrowarched slightly. Eric couldn’t help but laugh.

“I couldhang upside down from the ceiling and you could kiss me.” Eric didn’t want togo.

Rose pulledthe door back open with a grin etched on her face. Like everything else, shewore it beautifully. “Maybe next time.”

Ericclutched her hand on the way out. They shared a look that said everything theywouldn’t say aloud and then Eric trudged back to his car. The dark didn’t hauntEric anymore that night. Rose didn’t close the door all the way until he wasgone.

* * *

Beth’s roomwas made up a lot nicer than when she had first arrived at the hangar. Sheslept often and Bone suspected that the soldiers were putting sedatives in herfood. It was probably for the best if they were. Beth had been hidden away in ascary place, all alone, for over a month and kids had their limits. So did Bone,which, believe it or not, he hadn’t yet reached—but he was close. The person heused to be was almost gone.

Whenever thedoctors weren’t watching him or running tests, Bone was allowed to sit outsideBeth’s room and watch her. She looked small and afraid. Bone thought abouttrying to rescue her a hundred times every day. But Bone knew that the guardswouldn’t shoot at him, they’d aim for Beth. That’s who he was dealing with.That’s who he worked for. Bone was sure he could protect her and kill all of them,but... there was that small chance. The Colonel knew, as they all did, that ifBeth died, they were dead too. But Bone couldn’t bear it. Jim couldn’t bear it.Everyone else was dead. He couldn’t let them kill Beth, too. If she was gone,then he’d only be a monster. He could try to kill himself, but the sad thingwas he wasn’t sure he could.

Bone hadbecome stronger since the fight. In a way, it was good that he got torn up. Hisskin was holding him back anyway. Now he was a giant, stone-boned, armored monster.Not a lick of skin on him. He wouldn’t win any beauty contests, but he wastough. As a test, the Colonel put him up against a wall and had the guardsshoot him with M4 assault rifles. It felt like being pelted with spitballs,more annoying than anything. Some rounds nicked his armor shell, but it hadhealed. He was an imperfect Titan duplicate, but some of Titan’s powersremained intact.

Bone couldalso make his bones grow—another Titan ability. It was one Eric had used onhim, in fact. Bone could grow jagged tips around his knuckles. A stout butspiked spear grew backward off his elbow pointing to his shoulder.

Newabilities aside, he was feeling more comfortable in his new skin, so to speak.His nerves must have died out with the rest of him; the pain was all but gone.Eric had dodged and ducked his way out of the last fight, but he wouldn’t nexttime. No. Eric would die next time.

Somethingwas happening. The guards were shuttling in suits and concealed carry holsters.The men in the hangar carried M4 rifles, but Bone noticed crates with MP5s too.They had also brought limos, black sedans, and Hummers back to the hangar.Whatever was going to happen, it was going to happen at some event. It seemedlike there was always something happening, even though Bone wasn’t aware ofanymore attempts to get Eric. Ever since the Colonel had been visited by hissuperior, the operation quieted down. This new activity was the most action inweeks. Obviously, something had changed.

“Soon thiswill all be over,” a voice said. His voice. The Shadow Man.

Boneswiveled to look the Shadow Man in the eyes—his dark, cold eyes. His neckclicked and clacked with the move, which still disconcerted him. “When?”

“One week,”the Colonel said, walking right up to Bone. All of the other men always kepttheir distance. “One week and we let your sister go.”

“Go where?”The thick rasp that had become Bone’s voice had become more familiar, but thatwas not a consolation.

“Whereveryou say. I’d think your family could have her. Dear old Uncle Ben or someonelike that. The point is, she won’t be with us.” The Colonel peered in Beth’s“cell” and smiled his terrible smile.

“And me?”Bone didn’t fear the answer; it wasn’t really a question.

The ShadowMan was still an appropriate name. Looking up into the light of the ceiling atBone, his face was still dark. “We can’t just let you go, Jim. You know that,don’t you.” Not a question.

Bone wincednot at the answer but at his old name. His name was Bone now. He breathed agruff sigh and wouldn’t meet the Colonel’s empty gaze. “Yeah.”

“You’ve beenuseful. And you’ve played ball. Other than some… aesthetic problems, yourstrength, agility, and resilence has been inspiring.” Sometimes the Colonel’snearly cloaked accent presented itself louder than usual and “aesthetic”brought it out. “Maybe you will go overseas to kill some ragheads for us.”

Bone knewthat the Colonel was lying. There would never be overseas missions for him.Once they released Beth, if that ever happened, Bone was dead. Even now, theColonel was thinking about how to do it. Hell, maybe the M4 rifle test had beento see if those guns could hurt him. Since they didn’t, Bone figured that he’dbe gassed in his cell.

“I could seethat. Kill someone who deserves it.” Bone stared at the Shadow Man.

If henoticed Bone’s hard stare, the Shadow Man didn’t acknowledge it. “Tim and EricSteele deserve it, Jim. Believe me. A real friend would have given himself upto save you. No, the Steeles are murderers and cowards.” His left hand was squeezedinto a fist so tight that his nails drew blood from his palm. “We kill for ourcountry. They kill for God... sick, huh? Just like our enemies, beholden totheir wrathful, vengeful God.”

Bone saidnothing. This was about as casual as the Colonel had ever been.

Was thispersonal?

“Soon itwon’t matter. Wrongs will be righted and Titan will be in safe hands,” theColonel headed for the door.

Bone’s neckclacked in his direction. “You’re safe hands?”

The Colonelspun around, cloaked in the dark of the doorway—only his eyes showed. “Jim,‘we’ are the United States. We’re the good guys.”

When theColonel was gone, Bone wished he could smile. Then he remembered that his facewas a skull.

He’d besmiling forever.

* * *

As far asshopping malls in Northern Virginia went, the McLean Mall was mecca. It hadevery store you could think of and a few more of which you’ve never heard.Also, across the street folks with a bigger wallet could shop at McLean II.Eric imagined that McLean II’s food court had places like Morton’s of Chicagoand Ruth’s Chris. But he didn’t know—he’d never been there. When Eric askedwhat kind of stores were there, his mom had laughed and said, “Doesn’t matter.We can’t afford ‘em.”

Eric andDrew ordered their tuxedoes from a men’s formalwear shop on the second floor ofMcLean “Original Recipe.” And, as it turned out, they weren’t the onlyones—several other academy students were there, including Eric’s old buddy,Antonio, from geometry. Of course, the moment Eric and Drew entered the storeand got in line, Antonio took notice.

“Hey,fagface!”

Eric smiledat him. With a little perspective, it was amazing how guys like Antonio didn’tmatter anymore. Once you’ve gotten into a knock-down, drag-out fight with yourbest friend who’d just become a giant skeleton monster, the high school bullyjust doesn’t seem that important. And he wasn’t. Antonio would coast throughhis life on his dad’s money. At one time, Eric might have wished for the kindof money that buys such irresponsibility, but not anymore. He had bigger fishto fry.

“Aw, gotnothin’ to say, douche?” Antonio slapped his buddy’s back and gave Eric hisbest KISS impression. His tongue, sickly pink, lolled out of his thin, rattylips and spittle sprayed. Antonio was performing open air cunnilingus. But GeneSimmons wouldn’t have felt threatened.

A storeemployee, a grim-faced old man with a tuft of white hair clutching the back ofhis head, tugged Antonio’s shoulder. “Sir, please watch your language or I’llhave to ask you to leave.”

“Ah, sorry,man.” Antonio resumed being something approaching human. He did what everybully or asshole does when faced with authority—shrink back into whatever maskthey wear whenever they’re not getting off on their victims’ misery.

Antonio wassmall now, yeah, but Eric couldn’t restrain the thought of hanging the bastardby his cock with a rope from the school flag pole. He was, after all,super-powered. But still human.

Stop.

Reality hitEric hard. He suddenly became aware that this was all very “high school.” Verysitcom-y. Even the smile that had been on his face felt wrong. Eric had almostforgotten.

Jim.

He’sstill out there. So is Beth. Jim wants to kill me.

Eric feltfoolish for being where he was and doing what he was doing. His best friend wasmissing and had been turned against him by evil men. Those same terrible menhad abducted Jim’s little sister after they had killed his parents andburned their house down. Going to the prom felt like a mistake.

Some deepintuition seemed to agree... but Eric wasn’t sure if it was God or the otherthings. There was a war over the radio connection in his soul and he haddifficulty discerning who was transmitting. He was getting better, but the deepblack was still terrifying. He didn’t imagine that it would ever not be.

Drew joltedhim out of his thoughts. The line had moved ahead a few paces, but Eric hadstood, frozen in place, where they first arrived.

“Dude, youall right? You look like a zombie,” Drew said.

Eric threwon a quick smile and caught up with the line. “Yeah, sorry. Just thinkin.’”

“Thinkingabout how you’re gonna plow Rose a new garden?”

Crude, butEric couldn’t help but smile. “Yeah. That’s it. Thinkin’ about where to get myMagnum condoms.”

“Got a wholepack in my glove box. But what are you gonna use them for?” Drew snorted.

Eric gaveup. Sometimes you could take a ridiculous conversation only so far. Trying topush the real thoughts out of his head, Eric thumbed his wallet out of his backpocket and readied his credit card. “Are there tux varieties? I got what lookslike a normal tux. You know, from movies.”

“I got oneof those awesome powder blue tuxes from the seventies. You know that seventies’fashions are back, right?” Drew said.

“Powderblue?” Revulsion for Drew’s style choice was almost enough to push thoughts ofJim out of his mind. Eric tried to think of Rose. She brought him calm. He knewRose would look beautiful in her prom dress.

Ericcouldn’t help but laugh when, at the front of the line, Antonio received apowder blue tux. He motioned for Drew to look. “You’re not the only one withgreat fashion sense.”

“Damn.” Drewsighed. “You don’t think it’s too late to reserve a different tux, do you?”

“It’s prommonth, Drew. I think you would be too late a week ago,” Eric shook his head.“You’re stuck with the gawky seventies’ look. Or, to look at it another way,the douchy Antonio look. Pick one.”

Feeling theabyss he was connected to nipping at the edges of his heart and mind, a part ofEric wished he could go back to what it was like before all of this started.Before Titan. He had been miserable, sure, but at least then it had only beenhim. Jim hadn’t yet been dragged into it. There was something terribly clichéabout feeling the “weight of destiny,” but, he supposed, it was heavier than usualbecause it wasn’t really his. No. Titan belonged to someone far stronger andmore deserving than he.

Sarah wassupposed to be Titan.

He didn’tknow whether or not his thought was out of love and reverence for his sister orout of fear. Fear of what he would be forced to do. Fear of what he would haveto endure. Good old-fashioned human intuition told him it was the latter.

* * *

Eric andDrew didn’t know it, but Rose and Constance were at the McLean Mall too. Therewas a dress shop on the first level with gorgeous wedding gowns in the windowthat rented and sold other formal dresses. Pacing behind them, a young manlooking like any other guy in the mall watched them. It was the lieutenant theColonel had considered killing when he interrupted him. The lieutenant didn’tfollow them into the store.

Constancehad to pick her dress up and Rose still had to get one. She hadn’t expected togo to the prom this year. It was a happy accident. She wanted something greento go with her eyes.

“This one,”Constance stood beside a violently pink dress. It had big poofy ruffles aroundthe shoulders and an obscene dome-like skirt.

“I could bemy very own Disney princess,” Rose smirked.

The dressstore was an exercise in excess. Dresses ran between incredibly opulent weddinggowns, which seemed to be chiseled from pearl, and short, almost transparenthip hugging numbers that Jenna Jameson wouldn’t wear. Rose wondered who boughtthose kinds of dresses. Behind her, a short brunette—one that Eric would haverecognized—named Melanie picked out one such dress. It was deep red with aplunging “V” top and a long “U” down the back.

Constancemotioned in Melanie’s direction. “Someone’s trying way too hard.”

Rose glancedover her shoulder. “Jesus.”

A younggirl, probably college aged, called out from the counter, “Number 37.”

“Ooooh,that’s me!” Constance bubbled with excitement and bounced over.

The countergirl produced a dress that made Rose do a double take. She grabbed Constance’selbow. “You’re kidding, right? You just made fun of that girl and you gotthis?”

Constance’sdress was see-through in parts around the back of the skirt and around themidriff. Not obviously so, but her skin would be visible. The bust was stiffand heart-shaped—it would probably squeeze Constance out of the top.

“Drew’sgonna love it!” Constance squealed. “I had to get a corset to squeeze my boobsin.”

Roselaughed. “I’m riding to prom with a hooker.”

“Hey! I’mhigh priced. An escort, please.”

“Right.You’re not a stripper; you’re an exotic dancer,” Rose deadpanned.

What doesa superhero’s girlfriend look like?

Rose movedthrough the displays looking for something she liked—and hopefully somethingEric would like too.

Thelieutenant watched through the store window and spoke into the Bluetooth aroundhis neck, “I’ll have a picture within the hour.” He nodded, not taking his eyesoff Rose.

“Understood,”he whispered. The lieutenant tensed his jaw. “The dress and a clear shot of herface. I’ll send it and if it’s not good enough, I’ll get another. Plenty oftime to enhance. Affirmative. Over and out.”

Thelieutenant touched the Bluetooth on his ear and produced a smartphone. Once hetook a picture of Rose and her dress, the Colonel and his men would knowexactly which girl to shoot at the prom if Titan didn’t cooperate.

* * *

As Eric andDrew left the tuxedo rental place, Eric felt a slight twinge. An almostimperceptible sensation, very minor in comparison with the feelings he’d beenreceiving as of late. If he had been anyone else, Eric might have thought itwas just a spasm or a brain fart.

But hewasn’t just anybody—not anymore.

He wasTitan.

Thesensation inside was oily and thick—like a tentacle coiling around his heart.He didn’t know how to explain it other than a vague notion: it is beginning.