Ground Zero Penitentiary

  Sanison City

  “Do you think this is a good idea, Professor Halo? He’s a criminal, after all,” a meek male voice questioned, sounding more nervous with every word.

  “No, I do not. However, the higher-ups believe his powers are needed, and we cannot defy an order given by them,” the tall, lean-built, angel-winged man replied. His white suit hugged his form perfectly, and his long golden hair swayed with every step he took. Billy, the nervous wreck of a man, took that as a sufficient answer and dropped the topic. The ginger instead focused on the geared-up prison guards who escorted them. Billy knew that this many guards weren’t necessary—Professor Halo could handle things before they could even blink.

  The group turned a corner, then stopped in front of a large metallic door.

  “Professor Halo, please step back,” a guard instructed.

  The golden-eyed male did as he was told, and the guard placed his palm on the scanner, opening the door. The group entered a dark room with a single light source illuminating the white-walled cell with a large glass door—an indestructible glass door.

  Inside, a figure dressed in a green jumpsuit lay on a bed, flicking through a Playboy magazine, looking disinterested in its contents. A metallic collar was wrapped around his neck, flickering from red to dark red with each buzz. Collars like these were used to neutralize the powers of prisoners who had them.

  “Prisoner #2275, please step towards the front of your cell!” one of the guards ordered, her tone sharp and cold.

  The figure placed the magazine on his stomach and kissed his teeth.

  “You promised me a quiet afternoon, fuckfaces. What happened to it?!” he complained.

  “I won’t ask again,” the same guard snarled.

  Professor Halo watched the ordeal, irritation bubbling within him, while Billy looked around nervously, fiddling with the hem of his sweater.

  The prisoner threw his hands up in defeat and got off his bed, making his way to the front of his cell.

  “Ya happy now?” he spat.

  His sour mood, however, changed as his eyes landed on Professor Halo.

  “Halo! Oh boy, to what do I owe the pleasure of this visit?!” he asked, grinning wildly.

  Billy looked at his boss and the prisoner with raised eyebrows.

  “I thought this was your first time visiting the prisoner. Do you know him personally, sir?”

  Halo let out a noise of disdain. “Unfortunately, I do. I spent the better part of my early career trying to turn him in. However, I failed multiple times,” he explained, bitterness festering within him the longer he looked at the crimson-haired male.

  “Aww, cut yourself some slack, Halo. Not everyone is good at their jobs,” the prisoner joked, winking and sticking his tongue out mockingly.

  Professor Halo clenched his fist and took a step forward in anger before calming himself and rethinking his actions.

  “Tyler Blaze, you’re going to be transported to an interrogation room. Please place your arms on your head!” the guard ordered.

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  The blue-eyed man did as he was told. Three guards then entered—two with their guns drawn, and the other readying the bulky handcuffs. In no time, Tyler was handcuffed and escorted out of the cell. Halo and Tyler locked eyes for a moment.

  “I hope you brought snacks,” Tyler commented jokingly.

  #######

  “Reform? Screw that. I don’t play nice, and I will never play nice. Not even when I’m old!” Tyler spat childishly, banging his fist on the metallic table, making Billy jump in fear and causing the guards to draw their guns.

  Professor Halo, who sat opposite him, raised his hand and gestured for them to lower their guns, and they did.

  “I’m against the idea, but an order is an order,” Halo explained, as calmly as he could.

  “An order for you, and a mere offer for me,” Tyler reminded the angel, widening his eyes and raising his eyebrows.

  Halo let out a sigh and placed his hand on his forehead. He was beyond annoyed, but he had to keep it together.

  “Listen, Blaze. I don’t think you understand how long you’re in here for, or just how quickly the Hero League can make your life miserable. With a snap of their fingers, you could be transported to the main penitentiary with the other thugs and villains—people who want you dead. This offer is beneficial to you as well.”

  “You know I can kill these people, right? Not to toot my own horn, but I’m sort of the strongest here,” Tyler gloated, cracking a smug grin.

  “Big Guns was recently transported,” Halo said, smirking as he watched Tyler’s face drop.

  “Okay, so the deal... and is there a salary involved?” Tyler quickly tumbled out, nervously pulling the sheet of paper placed in front of him.

  Halo quickly snatched the sheet back, muttering it wasn’t a contract.

  “You won’t be officially hired until you pass the citizens test,” the professor muttered.

  Tyler raised an eyebrow, confused.

  “The fuck is that?!” he asked.

  Billy spoke up, but not before looking at Halo to see if it was okay. The suited hero nodded, giving the nervous boy the green light.

  “The citizens test is a series of trials that help with public relations. You’ll first save a bunch of people on a mission, then sit through interviews talking about how you’re reformed. And if you have fans, you’ll do a meet and greet, further strengthening your image to the public,” Billy wrapped up the explanation with a finger raised.

  Tyler slowly blinked at the ginger, then turned to Halo, mouthing, ‘Who the hell is this?’

  Billy should have been offended, but he was used to this. Instead, the green-eyed man introduced himself.

  “I’m Billy Wylan. The analyst for the Hero League. I also work as a publicist for them too.”

  Tyler frowned in response. “No offense, buddy, but that sounds boring. However, taking the conversation back to the citizens test...” He turned his attention back to Halo, who still looked displeased. “You know how hard it’s going to be for the public to trust—let alone like—me? If you weren’t aware, I was once a menace to society. Not to mention my disinterest in saving people.”

  “I know this. The Hero League knows this. However, they still want to go through with it,” Halo replied through gritted teeth.

  Tyler leaned back on his chair and let out a deep sigh.

  “Do you know why they want me so much? Like, I’m flattered, but I’m curious.”

  Halo struggled to answer, all because of his pride. He needed to push that down, however.

  “You have the ability of flight, super speed, endurance, super strength, and fire—which we need more of. Plus, your track record of dealing with strong villains is impressive to the League,” Halo answered nonchalantly.

  Tyler raised his eyebrow again.

  “You know I wasn’t killing and beating those villains to do good, right? They were messing with my turf and money.” He rubbed his fingers together as he mentioned money. “They. Had. To. Go.”

  “Doesn’t matter what your sick intentions were. The Hero League believes you will make a great asset,” Halo spat.

  “The League seems so shady to be consulting with villains,” Tyler commented offhandedly.

  This angered Halo, and the professor slammed his fist on the table. His gold eyes squinted into a glare as he gritted his teeth. The fair-skinned male looked far from an angel in this moment, and this amused Tyler.

  “Did I strike a nerve, angel boy?” the blue-eyed man mocked, smirking.

  “Guards, escort him to his cell. We’ll have a van come in later to pick him up,” Halo ordered.

  “How do you know I won’t escape, huh?” Tyler questioned, laughing.

  “You’re weak without your powers, so you aren’t much of a threat,” Halo replied, smirking.

  “Touche.”

  Once alone, Professor Halo let out a breath of cold air, freezing parts of the table and dropping the temperature of the room. Billy wrapped his arms around himself, his teeth chattering.

  “Um, s-sir,” he said.

  Halo quickly sat up and apologized. “Let’s go, Billy. Seems like we have a lot of work on our hands.”

  “Yes, sir!”