Bad Timing, Scarlet
727 Words
Deep within Heroes Academy…
Merson, Schizzel, and Kaiden walked quickly through one of the restricted upper corridors leading toward the private quarters of William Foster.
The hallway was silent except for the sharp echo of their footsteps.
Security drones floated overhead.
Steel doors opened automatically as they passed.
But none of them paid attention to the technology around them.
Their minds were completely focused on one person.
T.L.
Kaiden shook his head slowly.
“She’s a mystery.”
Merson remained quiet for a moment before finally speaking.
“No.”
Both Schizzel and Kaiden looked toward him.
“She’s my mistake.”
Schizzel’s eyes narrowed slightly in surprise.
Merson rarely admitted fault.
Almost never.
But now—
His pride was gone.
Merson exhaled slowly.
“I thought she didn’t have powers.”
His voice lowered.
“But even then… I still shouldn’t have treated her the way I did.”
The regret in his tone was real.
Schizzel stared at him carefully.
“It’s actually amazing hearing you regret something.”
A faint smirk appeared on her face.
“Usually your pride swallows every apology before it comes out.”
Merson gave a dry laugh.
“Yeah.”
He looked away briefly.
“I was foolish.”
His expression hardened with guilt.
“Instead of helping her, I added more pressure to her life.”
Kaiden sighed quietly beside them.
“And I supported you.”
Merson glanced toward him.
Kaiden shook his head slowly.
“I thought she was just another powerless student wasting space in the academy.”
His voice lowered.
“But now…”
He sighed deeply.
“I regret it too.”
Schizzel folded her arms.
“Well,” she said softly, “it’s good to know both of you have finally repented.”
Kaiden rolled his eyes slightly.
“Don’t make it dramatic.”
But Schizzel continued walking calmly.
“Because now we’re about to solve a mystery.”
Her eyes sharpened.
“The T.L mystery.”
Kaiden’s expression slowly became serious again.
“I still can’t believe Mirabel Foster was the one who signed T.L into Starhaven Orphanage.”
His voice lowered carefully.
“That means she’s hiding something.”
Merson nodded immediately.
“Which is exactly why we’re going to William Foster.”
He looked ahead toward the secured hallway.
“If anyone knows the truth…”
“…it’s her husband.”
Schizzel nodded once.
“Agreed.”
Suddenly—
BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!
Red emergency lights flashed across the corridor instantly.
All three stopped sharply.
Large holographic screens activated along the walls.
An emergency broadcast appeared.
EMERGENCY ALERT BILLINGS PINNACLE MUSEUM UNDER ATTACK
Video footage began playing across the screens.
Screaming civilians.
Destroyed entrances.
Smoke rising into the air.
Terrifying alien-like creatures tearing through security forces.
Merson’s expression changed instantly.
“…Scarlet.”
Schizzel’s face darkened.
“Fox.”
Kaiden clenched his jaw.
“What does she want this time?”
The footage continued playing.
Creatures smashed through museum walls while terrified civilians fled in panic.
Merson stared carefully at the screen.
“I don’t know.”
His eyes narrowed.
“But whatever Scarlet wants in that museum…”
“…it must be extremely valuable.”
He turned toward them.
“She doesn’t send her creatures unless the target matters.”
Schizzel folded her arms tightly.
“And every time we fight those things…”
Her voice lowered darkly.
“People die.”
Silence.
Kaiden nodded immediately.
“I agree with Schizzel.”
He looked directly at Merson.
“This is high-level.”
His tone became firm.
“We can’t send students for this.”
Merson remained silent.
Kaiden continued.
“We go ourselves.”
Schizzel nodded immediately.
“After we stop the creatures and secure whatever Scarlet is trying to steal…”
“…then we come back and question William Foster.”
Merson exhaled heavily.
Clearly frustrated.
“…Fine.”
He turned around sharply.
“Let’s move.”
Immediately all three began heading back through the corridor at full speed.
Emergency sirens echoed across the academy now.
Security personnel rushed through hallways.
Combat systems activated.
Outside—
Large transport vehicles were already preparing for deployment.
Merson’s expression darkened as they moved quickly toward the exit.
Then quietly—
Almost under his breath—
He whispered,
“Bad timing, Scarlet…”
His eyes sharpened dangerously.
“Very bad timing.”
- Writer
