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Bold Bullet
A Relativity Side Story
by Michelle Lehmann
I never wanted to be a superhero.
Growing up, lots of kids I knew read comic books and dreamt of being their favorite
crimefighters. Not me. In fact, I hated costume heroes, or capes as we called them. From the time
I was three years old, I wanted to be a cop. Of course, a large part of that came from the fact I was
born into a family of cops. My grandfather, my father, my uncle, and my cousin. We were a different
kind of blue blood, but we were proud of it.
As soon as I was done with high school, I proposed to my sweetheart, Audrey, and enlisted
in the Academy. I know my family name helped me get inducted into the Gale ranks upon
graduation, but I didnt mind.
Like most of my colleagues, I despised costumed crimefighters. They were wanna-bes,
presumably too weak to join real law enforcement and more of a hindrance than a help. The simple
fact that you had men and women running around in spandex trying to save the day was laughable.
What was even more ridiculous was the fact that the government felt the need to protect them while
doing it. Costumed crimefighters were a scourge and I refused to acknowledge them, much less
work with them.
Every year the GPD held a talent show. It was cheesy fun where everyone from beat cops
to department heads would make fools of themselves for charity. I loved attending, but never
participated, not being particularly skilled in anything other than playing the kazoo. However, one
year I got a crazy idea for a monologue sketch making fun of superheroeslike something youd
see on Saturday Night Live. I decided to buy a space-man jumpsuit at a local thrift shop and make
myself a mask and all. Wanting to give a nod to my fellow officers, I jokingly called myself the
Bold Bullet.
Thinking back, I guess I was tempting fate. Pretending to be a superhero was enough to stir
the universe up into a fervor. That night, on my way to the show, a call came in about a hostage
situation involving a rich executive and his family. It was a lone gunman, a disgruntled
ex-employee. However, J oseph Lambert was a huge supporter of the city, so police werent taking
chances and had forbidden anyone from entering his office building. I knew the layout of the place
from a security side-job Id done. I knew I had a good chance of taking the kidnapper out if I went
in. So, I did. There was something liberating, just going in, not worrying about escalation policies
and procedure. I came, I saw, I kicked ass. Lamberts son nearly peed his pants in excitement when
he realized it was a superhero who had rescued them. Lamberts wife eagerly gave me a kiss on the
cheek in thanks.
The airwaves buzzed the next morning about Gales newest superhero. I never made it to the
talent show, so I was just as anonymous as anyone from Team Torrent. It was surreal to hear the
newscasters musing as to my superpowers and what-not, as well as watching the citizens being
interviewed on the street and applauding my heroics. A small part of me realized how a celebrity
must feel, and I kinda wished Audrey and I were still together to celebrate. In the end, however, it
was just a moment in the spotlight and meant nothing. I realized I was still a cop; capes were capes,
and I wasnt one of them. I packed the costume away, promising to never don the outfit again.
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Two weeks later, we got wind of a big drug deal going down. As there was implications that
top political brass were somehow connected, City Hall gave orders that law enforcement wasnt to
get involved. Sick and tired of a lifetime of such corruption and bullshit, I decided to go anyway...as
the Bold Bullet. It was the first time I saw the Black Torrent. I was nervous, clumsy, and nearly fell
down an elevator shaft. But I worked with Gales Defender and we managed to bag the bad-guys,
as well as get the goods on three aldermen.
After that, I found myself going out more and more as Bold Bullet. There was freedom not
being bound by police rules and regulations. I still remained on the force, of course, but now things
were different. Playing both sides of the law enforcement game proved effective and useful. When
the Black Torrent approached me for information on a case, I knew I had come into my own.
It was during a bank robbery that I first ran into her. Id managed to work with Black Torrent
and Overcast during my time, but had not seen the Dark Flame. Id never been one for catsuits and
boots, but she was the hottest thing Id seen in forever. And her accent...pure sexiness. Of course,
it was all lust and infatuation; realistically I knew it wasnt more than a fantasy. But I thought about
her for weeks afterwards and wondered if Id ever meet her again. I imagined a scenario where I
would swoop in and help in some big matter, impressing her.
Unfortunately, reality turned out to be a bit different.
I was working on a warehouse robbery case when a big thug overcame me. Id say it was
inexperience, but my partner, Pechyvych, always told me I had a blind spot in the back of my head.
He warned me to look over my shoulder more often, but I never did. As I poked around that
warehouse, I never even suspected the guy was behind me until he jumped. As I did my best to fight
off the brute, the princess came to save the knight. It was amazing to watch Dark Flame kick the
snuff out of the guy. Afterwards, she came to me, asking if I was all right. Beaten and bruised, I was
embarrassed, but there was true compassion and caring in her eyes and I couldnt help but thank her.
Another month passed and I started to do more crimefighting. I was working a lot on my
own, but also helped Team Torrent and Dark Flame on occasion. I kept a distance, though, still not
feeling totally comfortable in the superhero ranks. But I could feel them warming up to me,
accepting me. I was worried my partner would figure out my identity, so I told him. He was
shocked, but not in a bad way. We started to use the anonymity my costume gave me to work on
some bigger cases.
When a shipment of rare beetles went missing, we knew Cricket was involved. We managed
to track him to a storage facility down on Congress. Dark Flame had made it there earlier and had
him cornered. However, the green suited bug-man pulled out a bottle with several flying insects
within. He advised they were hybrid bees with a sting fifty times as potent as a normal bee. I only
needed to see the terror in Dark Flames eyes to realize she was allergic and one sting could mean
instant death.
I dont know where my speed came from, but the thought of her being hurt pushed me. I
managed to tackle the man as he moved to throw the bottle. We fought, and one time the glass
container came dangerously close to hitting the ground, but I got the best of him. Zephyra showed
up and hurried Cricket and the bees a safe distance away.
Dark Flame was trembling when I moved to her and she hugged me tightly in thanks. I didnt
plan to kiss her, but thats what happened. I really expected her to push away, or even slap me.
Instead she leaned in, her hands stroking my face. I dont think I ever had a more passionate kiss
in my life. A moment later, though, she was gone. Dark Flame had a way of doing that,
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disappearing in a blink of an eye. I felt so stupid, so alone, and as I headed home, I thought for the
first time of giving up the Bold Bullet. When I got to my car, a beaten up old police cruiser I just
used when fighting crime, I found a flame charm on the windshield. I smiled, realizing she was just
as nervous as I was and knowing things were going to be okay.
How do superheroes date? Do they date? During my time working with Team Torrent, it
was obvious Overcast and Zephyra were an item. They often kissed when alone and they were
extra-protective of each other. I had no idea if their romance only existed in costume or not, but it
was neat watching them.
After that first kiss, Dark Flame and I started working closer together. I likened it to my
ex-partner Linda, how we grew closer during our time pounding the pavement. Flare and I started
doing more buddy work and during down times we would talk. I remember the one time we walked
into the Burger Shack to get a sandwich after a particularly hard raid. The looks we got from the
patrons was classic, but as we sat at a table eating beef sandwiches, it certainly felt like a date.
I dont know if it would have ever gone past tag-teaming and late night chats had it not been
for Audrey. It was my turn to have our son for the weekend. When she came to drop him off, she
announced she was engaged. I knew her and George had dated for yearshes the reason our
10-year marriage had broken up. But a part of me always felt they would eventually separate. I never
really expected Audrey to come back to me, but I held out hope that she still loved me enough to
avoid another commitment.
As she left my apartment that night, I was devastated. I realized it wasnt because she had
moved on, but because the one I had true affection for was far beyond my reach, hiding behind a
cloth mask.
The next time I saw Dark Flame it was a quiet night. As we walked and talked, I led her into
a secluded area. I had kissed her many times since that first night, but this time I hesitated. With
trembling fingers, my hand moved to her mask. I heard her gasp as my finger slipped under the
material and pulled it off, though she didnt stop me. I had memorized everything about her face and
her eyes. Suddenly seeing it all, I was enraptured. I realized I was looking at the face of the woman
I loved. Reaching up, I pulled off my own mask. I could see the tears in her eyes.
Then it was my turn to disappear.
I didnt see her for three weeks afterwards. Im not sure if it was me avoiding her or her
avoiding me, but it was probably a bit of both. Even though we had seen each others face, it was
clear wed still always be Bold Bullet and Dark Flame.
I started drinking. Not heavily, but I found myself hitting the bar every night after work
instead of the Gale rooftops. Pechyvych joined me when he could. I never told him what was
wrong, but he was astute enough to know it had something to do with a woman.
Sitting at Meyers Pub, downing a scotch and soda, I never expected to see the redhead that
night. In fact, I didnt even know she was a redhead. I knew Dark Flame wore a wig and realized
her hair could be purple underneath for all I knew. But as I looked up from my glass, there was she
was. She was short, with long straight auburn hair and the most beautiful green eyes I had ever seen.
Then the bartender turned the station.
Wait! I called, leaping out of my seat and running over to the television. Turn that back.
On the screen was Michael Bruce attending the groundbreaking of a new building. Next to
him was his sister, Sara Wolff. My heart pounded in my chest. She was there, right in front of me.
Sara.
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During all the years on the force, I never attended a fundraiser for the mayor. I was never
inclined to give money to political campaigns and I normally didnt feel strongly enough to support
any individual candidate. However, I knew Michael Bruce was a big supporter of Lloyd Brooks, and
I knew there was a good chance Sara would attend, too.
I was surprised how many guys from the force where there, including Linda. I did my best
to make idle chit-chat, but it was obvious I was distracted. My eyes kept scanning the room, looking
and hoping. A part of me knew that while Dark Flame might not be committed, Sara Wolff could
be. Would I lose her before I even got her?
Twenty minutes in, she walked into the room. She was with her brother and another woman,
whom I presumed was Bruces date. Sara was alone. As I watched her weave through the crowd,
I found myself unable to move. I was so sure and confident in costume, but now my legs felt like
rubber bands. I watched her from afar for nearly an hour, talking with people, picking at the
appetizers, then finally settling in to chat with the Brooks family. I kept rehearsing what I was
gonna say in my head, even though it all sounded so corny and trite.
As the Brookses moved on to talk to other party-goers, Sara was alone and I knew it was my
chance. Beyond nervous, I waited until her back was turned and approached. Everything I had
planned to say flew out of my head in an instant and all I could manage was a strained, would you
like to dance?
Sara turned and it was like out of a movie, where she didnt catch my eyes at first and started
to make up an excuse. Then she saw me and the words left her. Her mouth gaped, confusion and fear
in her eyes. Finally, a small smile drew across her lips as she whispered yes.
That night, after the party, we hit an all-night diner and talked until sunrise. I learned a world
about her in those eight hours, and I did my best to tell her all about me. We never talked
crimefighting, just everything else...and it was amazing.
I invited her on an official date the following Saturday: pizza and a movie. When I drove
her home, she invited me in for coffee.
A lot of people presume that a guy like me would have been with a lot of women. Truth was,
Id only been with three before that night. Kimberly Kane, my first girlfriend in the 9th grade. Then
Audrey, on our wedding night and beyond. Then Linda, though that only lasted a few weeks as we
decided that mixing work and pleasure was a bad idea. Nevertheless, I wasnt the type of guy to
sleep with a woman on a first date, but as Sara and I kissed that evening, passion took over.
I had fantasized many times about seeing Dark Flame beneath the costume. Her body was
amazing, toned, but still soft. As my hands ran over her skin, I could feel the bumps and scars, the
war wounds from crimefighting. As her own hands caressed me, they stopped on my upper arm, my
own scar from a bullet Id taken my first year on the force.
I made love to Sara that night, long and slow. Its cliche to say it was magic, but thats what
it felt like. Six months of wanting consummated at last. Afterwards, Sara snuggled deep into my
hold, fast asleep, and my mind moved to the silver costume which had been nothing more than a
cruel joke, a taunt at a group I hated. Little did I know being a superhero would be the best thing that
ever happened to me.
My life changed dramatically after that night. Sara and I began dating outside of costume.
We also started to work closer together in our crimefighting. Ill be honest, I never suspected that
her brother was the Black Torrent. Though, apparently he figured out who I was after officially
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meeting me in my civilian form. The team initiated me into their ranks and things just got better
from there.
Funny thing was, as Sara and I got more serious, I started to do less and less as Bold Bullet
and more in my police persona. I wanted to focus on my career, for her and our future. Sara knew
of my failed relationship with Audrey and my fear of getting married again; she was okay with just
living together. But in the back of my mind, I knew one day I wanted to propose. I wanted to be
successful and give her a life she deserved.
It was a Friday night and I was off-duty when we got news that the Synister Gang was
planning a hit. I contacted Pechyvych and we agreed to go in our street clothes, having Team Torrent
meet us there in costume. It should have been an easy run-in, but we didnt have any idea the gang
had teamed up with the Maurauder brood.
I had managed to track J oey Cannoli to the back of the building and had my gun trained on
him. The thug had already given up his weapon and I was ready to cuff him when I heard the gun
cock behind me.
Blind spot in the back of my head.
The news of the gang gathering had come unexpectedly and I hadnt had a chance to go and
changeI didnt have my protective vest on. The bullet tore through my back, ripping out my chest
and spraying my face in crimson. My reflexes laxed and the gun fell from my hands as I crashed
forward onto my knees and then onto the ground.
Lets get out of here, Cannoli called to his teammate. I heard the words through a long
tunnel. Someone else was yelling, man down. Then I heard her voice.
Dark Flame fell to the ground beside me, turning me to face her. Oh my God, no. Tears
streamed down her face. Somebody get an ambulance! she cried.
As she pulled me up into her lap, I knew I was going to die in her arms. My mind flashed
back to all the arguments with Audrey, about how she told me she could never handle losing me in
the line of duty. I had hated her for that, but as I watched Sara sob, I realized my ex-wife had been
right. Sara would have to remember this day, would be haunted by it forever.
I coughed once, spatting up blood and Dark Flame pulled off her glove so she could stroke
my face. I love you, Alex, she choked.
I heard Pechyvych come around the corner, gasping, then calling for help. He had always
bet me Id get killed in costume before I went down in uniform. Not a wager I wanted to win, but...
I suddenly felt cold and began trembling. I barely had enough energy to move, but my hand
reached up, groping for Dark Flames mask. I wanted to see her face one last time, her real face. Her
lips quivering, she grabbed my fingers and pulled them to her chest, then she took off her mask.
I smiled.
I could hear the sirens in the distance as my eyes sagged closed, followed by Saras
scream...then silence.