I'm a Homelander

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***

I opened my eyes, seeing a white smooth ceiling in front of me. Lying on the couch, without blinking an eye I looked up, like some kind of robot that doesn't have any discomfort with it. I miss that feeling when my eyes start to sting a little, but now it's like glass instead of eyes. It's a shame, it's such a small thing, and the lack of it is frustrating.

- Sir, you didn't answer my question. - The man who was sitting on the chair and writing down something repeated insistently.

I was too lazy to even look at what he was scribbling on the paper. I never understood doctors' handwriting, and this bespectacled intellectual introduced himself as a doctor. So there was no point.

- I'm in pain. I am remorseful and frantically want to apologise to the families of those I have caused such grief. - In a completely lifeless and bored voice I said in response, honouring the man with a look that only lasted a second.

- That's very good. And it speaks of you as an incredibly empathetic person. - Smiled the man, who is a psychologist of sorts. I just didn't listen to anything beyond the name.

- Product.

- I'm sorry?

- As in about an empathetic product,' he repeated kindly for those who are hard of hearing. - That's why you're here. To see if the product is broken. And if it can continue to be used.

- And what do you think about that?

- I'm waiting for your verdict. It doesn't matter what I think, it's more important what you write in your report. And it's important to you personally.

- Personally to me?

With a heavy sigh, I sat up and looked into the eyes of this uncomprehending "expert". There was a fire in my eyes that wouldn't leave the doctor a wet trail if I wanted it. And he seemed to take that look to heart.

- If I'm going to be dragged around to different doctors, trying to fix something that's already working well... I'm not gonna be happy. Do we understand each other?

- I believe we do. - He adjusted his glasses with trembling hands, nodding finely.

- That's good, Doc. - I smiled at him, ceasing to make light of his arguments.

I leaned back on the couch again, staring up at the ceiling. How I wish I could just bury myself in the ground and just hibernate. How did I ever keep up with all this pressure? Shovelling all the shit the incompetent bastard left me. Trying to get used to the fact that I am now the strongest being on Earth. Well, for now.

The Doctor left a long time ago without even saying goodbye. But I kept looking up at what was happening up there. I had a view of everything the tower workers were doing. It was like watching ants at work. You can get stuck for a long time.

- You shouldn't have frightened someone who wanted to help you. - An older black man came inside, looking me over from head to toe.

- I have no idea what you're talking about.

- You don't? The wet mark on his trousers was more telling," Stan Edgar smiled, adjusting his tie. - It was an encounter he would remember for the rest of his life.

- Get straight to the point. No more idle talk.

- That's your right. I came here to tell you that you should stop this farce.

- Farce?- No-one's keeping you here. On the contrary, everyone would be happier if you went out and walked round the tower. Ignorance is more frightening than knowledge," the man watched my reaction intently, analysing every movement on my face. - At such a difficult time for Wout, there's no need to start rumours. Otherwise they might think you're the culprit.

- Isn't that so?

I stood up abruptly and took a few steps closer to him, meeting his eyes. There was no fear in his eyes, but rather boredom and... disappointment. disappointment.

- I thought you'd become a more strong-willed man, but I guess I was wrong," he took off his expensive glasses and began wiping them with a handkerchief. - You wouldn't do something like that in front of the cameras. Of course you're innocent. If it were otherwise. this conversation would be different.

- I'm glad to hear that. I hope the press isn't waiting outside.

- You know very well the answer is no. I don't want to shoot myself in the foot, and neither should you. Try to keep a low profile and watch less news about yourself so you don't lose control of your emotions. In your case, it will only make things worse.

- I'll try.

- And please calm your team down. I don't want the situation to escalate because of their possible antics.

- Madeline can't handle it?

- I didn't say that.

- So she's not up to it?

- You've lowered her authority in the eyes of your team," the CEO confirmed my words in a veiled tone. - You're their leader now, a full-fledged leader after all these years.

- Like you weren't before. - I snorted in response, and got a completely serious look.

- But never took responsibility for them. It's nice to see you're changing for the better.

As I watched the old man walk away, I kept thinking that I'd been beaten dry this time. And I had to fix it, and I had to fix it now.

- Stan, one more thing," I called out, stopping him on the way out of the cell. - Are you sure you had nothing to do with what happened?

There was a silence that could only be described as oppressive. The old man's back tensed, as if he could feel the heat of his eyes burning with fire. Though why 'as if' if the heat was real?

- If that were the case, I wouldn't have come here in person. - Without turning to me, the man replied. Then he calmly continued on his way.

- That's right. - I muttered to him in the back, having stopped shining my eyes. - But you know something for sure.

Unfortunately, it wasn't that simple. Stan wasn't involved, which meant the mastermind behind the whole mess would have to be found. And the mastermind was definitely there, because it was too perfect a coincidence that I was there. Perhaps a second conversation with the CEO could clear up the confusion, in private. And now I have a tough conversation with the team, and then with Becca and Ryan. I just need to know the purpose of all this, and the rest can be clarified afterwards.

I walked the usual way towards the meeting room, noticing the stares all too often. They all knew everything by now. The whole world had seen the way I cut through a crowd of hundreds with my heat vision. It's probably been shown on every news channel there is. Whereas before the staff here had looked at me with indifference or admiration, now there was only misgiving and fear in their eyes. At best they only avoided eye contact, and at worst they simply ran away so as not to loom before my eyes.

- From idol to monster is only one false step. - I proclaimed to the entire empty hall, falling into a chair in the middle of the table.

For a while I just rocked on it, just to keep myself occupied. The Seven wouldn't meet for another hour, so I'd have some time to think about my speech. Except nothing was coming to mind, so I was just fiddling around. This time I took Stan Edgar's advice and didn't bother with what the news was saying about me. I was aware of that, but for my own sanity I had to be careful. I'm afraid I haven't yet recovered from the... the shock, I suppose.

The gate opened, letting two men inside, though one of them was a bit of a stretch. The gate closed behind them, leaving them alone with me. They were nervous, and it was obvious to the naked eye. They must be imagining in their heads that I was burning them through with heat rays. Imagination is a must for people in their profession, so they'll do it with ease.

- Hello, sir. We were told you were here.

Adam Brooke, the duo's main man and also the director of the upcoming film.

- As you can see, we are. - He smiled welcomingly at both of them.

- We brought a revised script.

Seth stepped forward, placing a folder in front of me. He held himself with dignity, though his trembling legs gave away his fear. The same went for the director.

- That's fine. Have you taken our comments into account?

- Yes, of course. Now the main character will be Starlight, so that the viewer can associate with her. That was a great idea that we've taken on board! - Adam excitedly announced, waving his arms in the air. - So many new scenes!

- I believe it.I nodded at him, glancing through a couple of dozen pages. It took at least four minutes, during which the scriptwriters waited with bated breath for my verdict. It turned out really well, I must admit. They can definitely write, and there's also very little Homelander in there. That was good.

- I think the script is going to be universally acclaimed.

- Did you like it? - Adam asked, clearly anxious to hear the final verdict.

- Yes, I liked it. When can you start shooting?

- We can start shooting tomorrow, the set is ready.

- That's great. Let's get started.

- Yes, sir!

With eyes tanned with excitement, Adam stood at attention, putting his hand to his forehead. Seth, who was on his left hand, looked on with a kind of doom. I guess this wasn't the first time Brooke had pulled something like this.

- At ease, Adam. You're free to go. - I smiled, finding it extremely amusing in his performance.

- Hold on, sir. Я... we'd like to say we don't believe what they say on the news. - Adam muttered convincingly, stopping fooling around.

- You simply couldn't do such a thing, under any circumstances. - Seth backed him up, standing beside him.

- So what's the news talking about?

They both glanced over at me, seeming to think I'd been doing nothing but watching the news about me. I have to admit, I was tempted.

- They say you killed a hundred people in cold blood. И... there's a video. But we think it's fake! You can do a lot of things on a computer these days, don't we know that?

- Then you'll be surprised at what I'm saying," he grinned in their faces, leaning in slightly. - It's all true, the purest. You have not been misled.

- But... how could it be? Why?

- A supervillain telepath, extremely powerful. He was able to control this entire crowd, and then me. Barely managed to break free.

- So you caught him? - Adam spoke hopefully. - That would clear you of all charges!

When I heard him say that, I felt inwardly annoyed at my impulsive action. What was I supposed to do, just knock the bastard out? That would have solved all the problems.

- Unfortunately, I couldn't take that risk. He's dead.

- That's too bad.

I don't need you geniuses to tell me that.

- I agree. I think we'll call it a day. Goodbye.

- Goodbye, sir.

They both obeyed without complaint and left the room. I still had to decide what kind of speech to give the team. Elevated and patriotic, or downright pessimistic? Tough choice. I'll figure it out as I go along.

***

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