Young Writers Society

Corey was jolted from a nightmare by his alarm screaming out at him. He slammed his hand down on the alarm and was tempted to curl back up and go to sleep, but he knew better than that. Corey heard stirring from the top bunk. Steve must be awake. Corey groaned and sat up. He was quickly greeted with the chill of Autumn air. Going back to bed became even more appealing but alas they had a mission today. He got out of bed and the blood rushed to his head. He couldn’t see for a second and his knees felt wobbly. He waited a moment and it evened out allowing him to take another step. He walked over to the borough, opened his drawers and grabbed his suit.

It was a plain pitch black color with neon stripes of color changing lights embedded in. He could turn them off for stealth missions but normally he liked the pulsing glow of color running through his suit. It made him feel cool. The ends of the arms and legs had a small plug hidden inside. That’s how he hooks up to his mech.

“Morning Sunshine” Steve called out from the top bunk. His pale brown (bordering maybe even on blonde) hair was a complete mess; stray strands seemed to take on a life of their own. Steve stretched his legs out so they touched the ground then let the rest of his body zip down. Corey was silently half hoping that he would hit his head on one of the bars again. It used to happen a lot but Steve has gotten better lately at not almost getting a concussion.

“Mornin” Corey yelled as he walked into the bathroom to get changed.

“Excited for the mission today?” Steve said just as loud as Corey. He knew Steve already knew the answer to that question even if he didn’t know about Mikey.

“If I’m excited then rats grow wings, like butterflies and give candy to the youth” He rolled his eyes even though he knew Steve couldn’t see him. Then poured half a cup of mouthwash in his mouth and swished.

“Fair, Fair, By the way I’m changing out here so like… knock when you're gonna come out.”

“Kay.” Corey looked into the mirror.

“Jeez.” He said quietly to himself, he looked like a mess. His hair was tousled and he had dark circles under his pale green eyes. He looked bedraggled, a product of how awfully he slept last night. He had tossed and turned, visions flooding his brain. So many ways the mission could go wrong so many times, so many ways his friends could get hurt…

He took a deep breath and grabbed the hairbrush running it through his hair trying to flatten it out. In a few minutes it was acceptable a few bits still stood up but he didn’t feel like taking a shower to fix that. He took off the baggy shirt he had been wearing and changed into his suit. The suit made him stand a little taller, with a bit more confidence. He felt like he looked sleek, cool and confident or he might look like a dork. He hadn’t decided which one yet.

Corey knocked on the door. Steve replied almost instantly,

“You can come out dude, I’ve been changed for awhile. In fact I’m surprised it took you so long.” Corey turned the doorknob, he loved the click of the door as the metal slid out. The dorms were two rooms, bedroom, bath and technically a small kitchen separated from the bedroom by a breakfast bar. It was actually nicer than Corey had expected, needed a few posters and some lights but it was okay.

He walked into the main room and Steve was all geared up. He was just wearing a tank top and shorts with a belt full of first aid supplies.

“Alright comrado, let's get to weapons vault C. It’s about that time right?” Steve checked his watch. Corey had commissioned it for him. It was a special piece by some of the kids in the tech support class and in theory it should help Steve stretch out for longer. It’s worked in the past few missions.

“Yup, 7:37”

“Yeah better to be there early to prep the crab” Corey’s scuttler was fondly nicknamed the crab. Nellie had spray painted Crabbey so many times that the unforgiving steel had turned into a pop of color and expression, different designs and drawing coating practically everything but the windows.

Corey cracked his neck and opened the door. The school’s usual bustle was already up and running despite the fact that the sun had risen not an hour ago. Teens were running around some suited and others in casual garb. People were grabbing supplies for classes, hanging out on their phones, joking with friends and so much more. Corey and Steve were already navigating their way through the crowds when the girls found them.

“Hey shortstacks what’s up? We were looking all over the place for y’all” Sandra, the annoyingly tall vampire in Edwardian era clothes shouted at them from across the hall.

“Nothing much, skyscraper'” Steve countered.

“Honestly I don’t know how you had such a hard time finding us. I mean we were obviously in the school!” Corey tried to put as much bewilderment into his voice as possible. Sandra laughed and said,

“Fair point not like this campus consists of eight buildings and only the lord knows how many sports fields”

“Wait serious time guys, so I’m assuming y'all got the mission fax telling you to meet up with us same as Steve. To be honest I didn’t read it because I was already asleep so I have an excuse and like absolutely no clue how much you guys know, but I’ll fill you in on the way cool?”

“Works for me Corey” Nellie shrugged. Corey filled them in on everything he knew about the mission… well besides one thing. They had reached the weapons room and he still didn’t know how to bring up Mikey.

They walked inside, the room was loaded wall to wall with weapons of every size shape and form. One wall was taken up by an enormous bazooka in the shape of a giant snake. NOT a basilisk, they are reptile chicken hybrids not snakes! The misconception always annoyed Corey. The floors though were just as covered with shelves full of weapons, many labeled for particular people. Even from the entrance you could see an array of mechs in every shape and size, many taking on animalistic inspiration.

The group split up to find each of their preferred gear. Nellie went to find any quarterstaff she could, she rarely used her weapon but it was a backup in case of emergencies. Sandra went to find her mace a beautiful weapon with four brutally sharp points. It was similar to a club but it had a star-like formation on the end and a deadly tip. It’s commonly mixed up with a morningstar but the two were varied in many ways. Her’s in particular had engravings of different sigils on each of the four points and vines of gold snaking their way down to the ridged handle. Once she had it Sandra gave it a hearty swing and chuckled.

Annie had no power but she was telepathically linked to a clown monster truck. That awful car gave Corey the chills and he was thankful that only Annie could hear it speak. She grabbed her sword which Nellie painted for her in neon purples greens and pinks. The tiny girl got into the car, her curls bouncing as she hopped up. Corey knew she had started it cause the engine's roar was so loud it could deafen the whole of New York. When the switch flipped the roar stopped and was replaced with the sound of gears grinding and the metal of her car squishing down into a compact backpack.

Steve and Corey walked down the endless aisles of weapons admiring a few of the more creative ones on their way to the crabbey.

“So Corey what’ll it be today?” Steve asked while he inspected a double sided harpoon launcher. It was meant to be carried with one end over the shoulder, to create a zipline when both ends are launched. Corey had a hard time picking a weapon. Every day he used something different.

“Hmm I don’t know, I’m thinking maybe a SQUID LAUNCHER!” He turned around dramatically with the weapon.

“Gonna squid the goodies, I see”

“Nah, I’m not really feeling this one.” Corey put it back glumly. This part was always the hardest for him; there were squid launchers, plasma rays, boom cannons, a colt, palisman staffs, wands, spellbooks, and bows. Today though he was feeling like daggers. He grabbed its holster and slid two small knives into either side. Then he tightened the holster to his back.

“I’m going back to the basics here, but I’m thinking daggers.” Corey enjoyed the versatility and range in the small sized swords. This particular set had a mean looking array of jagged metal on either side. Once Corey was certain this was the pick of the day, Steve and him continued on to the back of the vault, where the scuttler is.

All the mechs were lined up here, because the back wall folded outwards, allowing mechs to be taken outside and grabbed by the metal claw that put them on their respective tracks. That gets them where they need to go.

Corey just had to double check that all systems were running fine then he could issue a request for his crab to get moved. Steve had no weapon because it just got in his way, so he helped Corey set up. He grabbed the ladder while Corey put in the code to open the hatch and get the systems online. Steve couldn’t stretch to get the ladder because after about four feet his muscles became too stretched and his arms became more like spaghetti than anything else.

“Thanks Steve” Corey climbed up the ladder. He had almost forgotten about who he was going up against, almost let himself just enjoy being with his friends but no. He’d be in this mech fighting Mikey in a little less than half an hour. This put a dull on Corey’s prior high spirits.

“No problemo” Steve prepped the request so that the moment Corey was done he could send the letter and they could regroup and leave.

Corey loved being in the crab; it was his safe space where he felt invincible. He hoisted himself up onto the hatch and then into the crab. The small cockpit smelled faintly like vanilla and sweat. The air freshener was almost dead and Corey knew he’d have to replace it soon. He hooked his phone up to the dock and turned on his favorite playlist as he started to run diagnostics. He hummed along to the music as he typed in code and waited for the results. Unforgiven by Le Ssearfim was playing by the time every test had come back positive. The crab was running perfectly as usual so Corey climbed down and sent the request.

The instant he did the computer responded and opened the hatch behind the crab. The crab was flipped backwards and out the back wall. He heard the crab magnetically click onto the track and get whooshed away, already heading towards the hanger, where it would get loaded onto the jet. Corey gently grabbed Steve’s wrist and checked his watch. Oh God it’s 8:32!

“GUYS MEET UP AT THE ENTRANCE, WE GOTTA GO!” Before Steve could even think Corey was dragging him along. He hoped they wouldn’t be too late. He pushed his legs to go as fast as humanly possible for him. Steve slowed him down a bit, but he didn’t bother to let go, he needed to regroup. If they didn’t make it in time, who knows what would happen. He could get expelled or a detention! Him and his friends could get suspended. He saw Annie emerge from the other aisle.

“Hey Corey!” She started running alongside him. Corey tried to talk but he kinda just screamed unintelligibly. Annie was ten and her short little legs were having trouble keeping up. Corey wasn’t super athletic or tall but he was fit enough to keep up a good pace. They made it to the door, 8:37. Where on Earth are Nellie and Sandra!? He was bouncing up and down rotating from the tips of his feet to the backs.

“Uh Corey my dude, can you let go. I’m losing blood circulation”

“Of course, sorry, I wasn’t paying attention” Corey let go and he noticed how pale Steve’s wrist was from his iron grip. He immediately felt bad.

“You seem a little out of it today. Are you all right?” Steve rubbed his wrist.

“Can I be honest with you guys?”

“Of course, Corey, did something happen?” Annie looked up at him, she was clearly concerned.

“Well, I-I don’t know. I’m just wor-ried about today.” Too many emotions his voice was breaking up. He didn’t wanna make them more unsettled, it’d be okay. He slumped to the floor. It would be okay. It would be okay. It would be okay. It would be okay. It would be okay. It would be okay. It would be okay. It would be okay. Before he could stop himself he was hyperventilating.

“I know the missions gonna be hard but I promise no matter what we’ll be here for you” Annie put her hand on his shoulder. She was trying her best to be comforting.

“It’s not (breath, in and out in and out) that, it’s” He felt tears welling up in his eyes. They trickled down his face, warm and inconsistent. He fought back the choking feeling in his throat.

“It’s Mikey, him and his team are gonna be there I just, I don’t-I don’t know I’m not ready.” At the mention of Mikey, recognition spread across Steve and Annie’s faces. They both remembered the last time Corey and Mike fought. They had failed, Corey couldn’t bring himself to punch Mikey and he got away with vital information about the villains. This caused Corey to almost lose his position as captain because many of the Headvilains thought he wasn’t ready. Good Game had faith in him though. Steve started to pace; he knew how horrifyingly strong Mikey was and the history between his best friend and Mike. Corey couldn’t bring himself to let go of any of the guilt or sadness he had.

“Corey, please look at me, I know this is gonna be hard for you but if it helps you and I can go into the building while Annie and the girls fight them outside. You and I both know they’re stronger than the two of us combined and tripled anyways.” He gently chuckled.

“Is that something you’d want?” Corey had only looked up for a moment but he said,

“Yeah, yeah I think that’d be okay” He started to wipe the tears from his eyes.

“Hey guys, what’s up!” Sandra’s voice boomed through the vault. She scanned the scene. An immediate pang of regret was visible on her face.

“Oh, Oh Corey what happened?”

“Mikey’s gonna be there”Annie responded for him. Nellie and Sandra both exchanged “you know what this means right?” glances.

“Well it’s 8:41, so we gotta go” Nellie was sympathetic to Corey but they didn’t have time for this. Corey shot up and started sprinting as soon as she said it they had to get about a third of the way across the building in under four minutes. The rest of the group was alarmed and it took them a second to catch up. No one said a word until they reached the hangar.

Corey could feel his heart beating fast and he heaved for air, taking it in, in enormous gulps. He pulled the door open praying he’d made it in time.

After meeting up with his friends and picking out their weapons Corey had a breakdown, but they had to make it to the hangar before 9:45. Did they succeed? To find out pick up volume #3 of HOW TO BE A VILLAIN!