October 31st, 2013Bryan arrived at the Hero Factory on the second day of processing. The crowd swarmed the complex, hoping to get a good look at Spectre who was there to welcome the applicants. Behind the wrought-iron gates stood several turnstiles with overhead metal detectors, manned by armed men wearing dark blue polo shirts bearing the emblem of the Hero Factory. Due to the size of the crowd, it was difficult to tell the difference between the applicants and the gawkers. Bryan studied the throngs of people, attempting to discern his competition from the crowd. Anyone who looked younger than twenty-one could be ruled out because of the age requirement. Men, women, children. Their faces all looked the same, blending into one another as his eyes skipped from one person to another. The ant
