Chapter 14: One Step at a Time

One week after the operation Élidora Hospital, private training room Jain Lucett, alias Stormline, stands his legs are still numb, his muscles stiff but he stands next to him, Dana arms crossed, gaze sharp.

“You’re going to move even if it burns even if you're afraid one step at a time.”

He nods places his right foot then the left then… he stumbles, collapsing to his knees Dana approaches, kneels, takes his hand.

“We all fall even me but now it’s your decision: stay down or get up.”

In the waiting room, a woman with gentle eyes watches through the glass dark hair, tired but strong next to her two eight-year-old girls One wears a red headband with runes the other plays with a shimmering silver bracelet.

“Daddy's going to run again!” cries one.
“We know it, mommy!”

The mother smiles.

“Yes. Thanks to you two and thanks to that amazing doctor.”

Dana arrives, hands in her pockets. She smiles at the girls.

 “Can I ask how two ordinary kids survived a magical attack last year?”

The twins giggle then raise their hands in sync.

“Divine protection pact! Thor and Loki are our godfathers!”

Dana blinks looks at them, then into the mother’s eyes.

“Is that true?”

“The day they were born, a storm hit our town Thor appeared… and Loki, strangely, insisted on giving them an eternal prank.”

 “And since then… they sometimes hear thunder to calm them down,and their toast disappears in the morning.”

Day 3. Jain runs one step. Then two then… ten he laughs. Then cries.

Dana watches, arms crossed.

“You look alive.”

“I am alive. I am speed.”

“No,” Dana answers softly you are will.”

The twins rush toward their father he lifts them, laughing.

His wife joins them a simple embrace real Dana watches from afar then turns her head in the empty hallway, a figure snaps his fingers a flash of blue-white lightning.

Thor.

“Nice work, Dana.”

“You were watching from the start?”

“Always Loki too, but he’s sulking he wanted them to fly.”

She chuckles softly.

“You want to see them grow up?”

“No i want them to choose to run like their father.”

End of Chapter 14 – One Step at a Time.