Heroic Measures (continued)

March 11, 1985 . . .

Walter hit the overturned waste barrel, doing his best to turn it into a shoulder roll as Sen had tried to 6teach him.

He was partially successfully, smacking against a stack of broken pallets before he could complete it. His shoulders took the brunt of the impact. It rattled his head, but not nearly as much as if he had landed on it as well.

Shaking his head to clear it, he tried to pull himself to his feet. The effort was more than he expected. His battered muscles ached, trembling as they strained to obey his commands.

. . . and I’m only twenty-six.

He knew of heroes in their forties who still took to the streets to protect the city. At that moment, he could not imagine it being possible. Fighting back a groan, he steadied himself and looked toward the behemoth that still roared defiantly in the wide alleyway.

His back was to Walter. At least Walter thought it was a him; he had not seen its face as it had tossed him away. Beyond it he could see Osprey, standing ready in its path. She had both sets of claws extended, balancing lightly on her feet, trying to judge which way the giant creature might move next.

Walter knew that she was fast, but she was woefully overmatched. The behemoth had more than enough mass to hold it in place against most direct attacks—as Walter had just personally experienced.

Where was Westin?

The black and emerald green-clad hero had been there a moment ago. Walter thought he had seen him dash past, but now he was nowhere to be seen. Osprey gave no sign of him being nearby.

The giant being was making deep, grunting noises. It sounded to Walter like a bull with a migraine. Something told him that it was preparing to strike. Osprey was its only visible target.

Walter frowned, studying the space between himself and the creature. The ground was wet from the recent rain. Large puddles shone like dark oil slicks. It would be difficult to maintain an accurate attack from this distance. Anyone standing in one of the connected pools of water would be affected as well. He would have to get much closer.

The prospect did not fill him with enthusiasm, but he knew that he had little other choice. Osprey was the creature’s next target. He would be damned if he would let it toss her viciously aside as it had him.