Therra Arcson - origins 2

Since her father's death, Therra had changed. She was still a rambunctious girl, but she kept a bit more to herself. She didn't have a lot of friends, but wasn't hurting for them. She was reasonably popular with the boys as well if the almost-daily stack of notes left in her locker was any indication. Still, she buried herself in books. She started learning about electronics, wondering why her father had to die for his work, and found she had a knack for understanding it.

Her father's death had changed her in other ways. As many - young and old - do, she started wondering about "what happens after." And she'd found herself reading much more esoteric books - this being Paragon, esoteric wasn't hard to find. Forgotten gods and goddesses. Magic and ritual. Myths and legends. At sixteen, she was more likely to be found at the Paragon City Library on a Friday night instead of on a date (much to the disappointment of the boys in the school.) In fact, most nights you could find her there.

Nights like tonight...

"Oh, it came in? Thanks!" The young redhead almost bounced as the librarian handed over the book - "Magic behind the Myths." She'd found references to it everywhere as a definitive source, and felt it could answer several questions - including questions about the city. Besides, she had a book report due in a week.

The woman behind the counter gave a bemused smile as Therra hungrily dove into the pages. "I'm sorry it took so long, we just couldn't find a copy anywhere. Do you have everything you wanted?"

"Yes, thank you," Therra said, closing the book and handing it over with the rest of her small stack.

The librarian chuckled as she saw the pile. "I never know what to expect from you next, dear. What have you got this time... more electronic design, natural magic, metaphysical studies... Most girls your age getting out of Nancy Drew and hitting the romance novels."

Therra rolled her eyes. "Yeah, well, most girls my age are airheads from what I've seen." She waited for the librarian to finish signing the books out, then picked them up and started out the door.

"Therra?" the librarian called out, a touch of worry in her voice. "It's getting dark out, are you sure you don't want to call for a ride or something? The gangs have been moving into the area -"

"It's OK, Mrs. Soto, I know my way and can take care of myself." She stopped. Mrs. Soto was only worried about her. "Could you call my mom and let her know I'm on my way back?" Not that she was all that concerned, but if it would help the lady who had been so nice to her for years not worry...

Mrs. Soto smiled as she picked up the phone. "OK, dear. I'll call your mother. Tell her to give you ten minutes or so?" She started dialing without waiting for an answer. She wouldn't want anything to happen to the sweet girl.

"Yep. Thanks," Therra said, heading out the door with a wave.

Once outside, she looked around, startled. It was already twilight. She hadn't expected to be here quite so long. "Oh well - maybe twelve minutes," she thought. She wondered if kids in schools outside of Paragon kept up on what gangs were where, in addition to the usual high school gossip. "Hmm. Skulls are more south, Hellions were moving west... 21st should be good."

Five minutes later, she decided she really needed to change her route.

"Look, I don't have more than five dollars. I don't have anything you want. Just leave me alone!" As the words left her mouth, she thought how stupid it was for her to stand up to the two gang members. Black jackets, dorky red face paint... Hellions. As two muscular arms grabbed her from behind, she was sure of it.

Therra started squirming and kicking. "Let me go, I said I don't have anything!"

"We'll decide if you have anything we want, little girl," one of them said, laughing. "Over here."

Therra dropped her books as she struggled against the arms holding her. One of the thugs grabbed a book. "What's this? Aww, she wants to know about magic. We can show ya some real magic, right guys? Make it a real magical night for ya," he said with a sneer. He threw the book - the one she had been waiting for - off to the side, where it landed with a splash.

I'll have to pay for water damage now, Therra thought - then wondered why she was so concerned with that at the moment. She was getting angry - at herself, at the situation...and she was more than a little afraid. "I said, let me GO!"

She landed on her back with a thud.

"What the hell, man? Why'd you drop her?"

The Hellion that had tossed the book elbowed his buddy. "Guess one little girl's too much for him."

Therra wasn't waiting around. She started running as they argued, jumping over the dazed Hellion that had been holding her before he could get up.

"Shut up, the little slut shocked me with something." He got up and started chasing her. "Let's teach her a lesson she ain't getting from no book!"

Therra ran blindly, watching her pursuers. Finally she turned to see where she was going.

Dead end. This could be bad.

She faced her attackers. If she was going to get killed, she was going down fighting - though she was pretty sure they had something else in mind first. Terrified, her mind raced. Think, girl...

She remembered the one's comments about her book. Well, if they thought she knew magic, maybe a little show would slow them down...

A light sparked as she started gesturing at the oncoming, and very annoyed, Hellions. One pulled out a knife. "Good, she's gonna fi-"

More streetlights burst as a ball of electricity burst from Therra and hit the thug square in the chest, sending him flying and leaving his companions stunned.

What was that?

A smile slowly spread across Therra's face as all she'd read coalesced in her mind. "I think I get it."

Focusing her anger, she imagined a lightning bolt arcing from her hand. She aimed for the big one on the right.

Down he went.

The last thug suddenly didn't like the odds very much. Dropping his switchblade, he ran for the street, away from what apparently was a hero.

Therra chased him. "Oh, no you don't! You made me drop MY books."

The thug stopped cold as rings of electricity encircled him.

"If I've gotta pay, so do you."

"Wait... I..." he started. Therra didn't want to hear it. Another bolt, and the last of the Hellions was out.

Therra looked around, breathing hard. As she looked at the three unconcious gang members, she started to shake, feeling sick to her stomach. Then she looked again.

Wow, did I do that?

She looked down at her hands.

"How?"

Therra suddenly realized how dark it was. She had no idea how much time had passed. Mom's gonna be worried sick. She quickly gathered her scattered books, smoothed her skirt, and started for the street.

She stopped and looked back down the alley. "I guess I should call the cops to get these guys."

"Impressive," said a voice from above her. Whirling, she faced...

A woman in a white and blue costume, floating several feet above the ground. One of the city's heroes. Miss Defy, if she remembered right.

"I'm sorry I couldn't get here sooner," the heroine said, alighting gently on the ground. "Then again, it looks like you didn't need the help." She placed devices on each of the Hellions, who were then teleported away.

Therra backed up. Was she in trouble? "I didn't... I mean, I don't..." she stammered.

"Know how it happened? First time, I take it?" Miss Defy walked up to Therra and smoothed down the girl's hair (which had been standing on end since the first shot,) then put a comforting arm around her. "Come with me. I think we can help you understand what has happened to you."

"What happened to them?" Therra asked, waving her arm at the now empty alley.

"They'll be waking up in the Zig's med center. Plenty of guards to keep them company. Now then, what's your name?"

One hour later

Julia Arcson sat staring at the clock, not knowing if she should be angry or worried. Therra was rarely late. The times she was, there was good reason. Still, the library had called so long ago -

When the knock came at the door, her heart sank.

Therra doesn't knock, she has a key.

She steeled herself for the worst and answered the door.

There stood Therra. Along with Miss Defy and two other heroes.

"Therra! You had me worried. Are you all right? What happened? Who are-"

Therra just ran in and held her mom for a moment. Julia just held her daughter, then looked at the trio of brightly dressed strangers on her doorstep. "Please, come in. I take it she's OK because of you? Is she all right?"

Miss Defy smiled as she came in. "Mrs. Arcson, she's better than all right. Can we sit down? We have a lot to talk about...."