It amazed Alex that the sheets felt cool against his skin, crisp and very new. By the end of the night, they would normally be destroyed. Scott assured him that there was an enchantment on everything so that it wouldn’t be destroyed by him.
He tucked the pillow under his head and looked up at the ceiling. Scott had invited him to stay in the guest room with them, until he could find a home. He debated on whether or not to remain in Millennium City or to go back to Florida.
In Millennium City, he would be useful. He wouldn’t be looked at as a freak. He could use his destructive powers for good, to bring the hurt to those who wanted to hurt humanity. Qualarr, worms, Argent, VIPER. He could be a hero even being a destroyer.
What was waiting for him in Florida? Derision, strange looks, no work, nothing to do during the days but waste himself and things away.
Lexi wouldn’t want him to do that.
He kept going for her. Lexi wanted him to join this group, and he was not a quitter. Scott was helping him, Mike would help him, he felt sure of that. The people who came to the memorial didn’t come because Mike ordered them to. They came because … “They’re my friends,” he said.
He closed his eyes.
When he opened them again, the light was starting to shine through the curtains. He got up, used the bathroom off the room, and sat on the edge of the bed to wake up more. True to Scott’s word, the sheets were still together.
Also true to his word, in the dresser were some clothes. Alex took them out, and they crackled when he shook them. Enchanted.
He shook his head. If it was this easy to get clothes, he should have done it years ago, instead of relying on science to see him through. He got dressed. There were new sneakers, and he tried them on. Everything fit perfectly.
He opened the door of the guest room and smelled bacon. His stomach rumbled against his will. He put a hand on his abdomen and whispered, “Shh.”
Alex went down the stairs carefully not touching anything, and he saw Mike in the kitchen. “Hey, sleepy head. I thought the smell of bacon would wake you up.”
“It didn’t.”
Mike stopped, and shrugged. “Oh, well, more for me. You like buttermilk waffles? From scratch.”
Alex came forward, his body wanting the food more than he did. He tried to keep a straight face, but he was salivating at the wonderful smells. Warm syrup, bacon, waffles in a waffle maker…
“Of course, I can get some Eggos.”
“No, no, that’s all right.” Alex sat down. “Why are you doing this?”
“Because you’re my friend.” He set a plate with a huge waffle on it in front of Alex. “I was told by Scott that he didn’t eat after I died.”
“He told me that, too.”
“That’s why people used to bring food to wakes. A lot of times the survivors didn’t eat. It was up to the family to provide for the first month or so.”
Alex poured syrup on his waffle and started to eat. It was fluffy, crispy on the outside, and absolutely delicious. He finished one waffle before Mike got his half done. “Want another one?”
“No, no.” He put a hand to his stomach. “If I eat too much and work, I’ll get sick.”
“Speaking of work, what are your plans?”
“I don’t know.”
“Good. Because I have some jobs for you in Lemuria. It’s a beautiful, quiet, and huge place to go. Hardly any people. Nobody will be upset over a few dead fish, if you know what I mean.”
“I do,” Alex said. He stood up and twisted the pinky ring, changing himself from his casual clothes to his uniform. “Mike?”
“Yes?” he said, around a mouthful of waffle.
“Thanks.”
Mike saluted. “Anytime, Alex. Dinner’s at six, don’t forget. Scott will be disappointed if you don’t show.”