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Kyle and Sam had spent the remainder of the night, and all of the following day in bed. It had seemed like weeks since they’d had any time together at all, and with the threat posed by the terrorist organization known as Pax Metahumana thwarted, now seemed like just as good a time as any to spend some quality time together. For the first time in months, everything felt like it was going to be alright. For the first time in a long time, Kyle felt like himself again. 

They had spent the entire night laying in bed together, holding one another. Talking, kissing, embracing…and there they remained the following day, except for about twenty minutes when they went out to get food. As Kyle lay in bed next to Sam, her soft skin pressing against his, as he felt the warmth of her breath tickle his skin each time she exhaled, he was reminded of exactly what it was that he was fighting for. It was moments just like this that made everything worth it. 

After just laying there for awhile in total silence, Sam had asked Kyle to turn on the television. Two and a Half Men was on syndication, and after everything that had been going on as of late, she thought that they both could use a laugh. Unfortunately, they were not greeted by the highly suggestive humor that was a staple of the program. Instead, they watched in a tense silence as the words BREAKING NEWS were splashed across the screen, and images from a protest that turned violent played out. 

Sadly, that was not the worst of it. Kyle and Sam looked on in horror as four figures emerged from a darkness that had overtaken the riot. Those four figures then went to work, slaughtering rioters and police alike.

“I have to go.” Kyle said, his tone suddenly dark. 

“No, let the others handle this. These guys…they’re monsters.” Sam said, the thought of Kyle rushing off to confront the beings that had been responsible for countless murders across the city for months. She had also heard the rumors that Nightmare had seriously injured Icon at one point, and if this monster could do that to him, Kyle didn’t stand a chance.

“I can’t do that.” Kyle said as he got out of bed and immediately began putting his costume on. “I face monsters every day. Some are scarier than others, but I can’t let that stop me. If I start picking and choosing who I save, who I stop…what’s the point.”

Sam sat up in bed, covering herself with the bed sheets as she considered her next words. She wanted to tell him to come back to bed. She wanted to beg him to stay with her, where they would both be safe. But she said nothing. Instead she got out of the bed and walked over to him. She wrapped her arms around him and kissed him deeply on the lips. 

“Just come back to me.” She said, forcing a smile despite the gut wrenching fear she felt for him.

“Sam, I lo…” Kyle started to say, but was cut off.
“No. Don’t say that.” Sam said, not allowing him to finish. “Tell me when you get back.” She said. Kyle just looked at her. He didn’t want to leave her. He wanted nothing more than to stay with her and ride the entire ordeal out here in her room. But he knew that he couldn’t. Every second that he remained, Nightmare and his merry band of monsters killed more and more people.

Kyle gave Sam one last kiss before he put his mask on and walked over to the window. He turned back to Sam and just nodded, and then he was gone. 

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In order to celebrate Jenny’s sudden arrival in Lost Haven, he had taken her to Carmen’s, one of the best Italian restaurants in the city. However, they were not alone. Scott had also invited Eric to come along, and he in turn had invited Clara and Keira to join them. 

They had long since finished their meals and had decided to take a walk down by the waterfront. It was a beautifully clear night, and unseasonably warm. As they walked near the docks that had long been a tourist destination, the smell of seafood and the sounds of people laughing and enjoying themselves filled the air. Scott had always been amazed by how resilient the people of Lost Haven had proven to be. Just over twenty four hours ago, not only the city, but the entire nation had been under threat from a terrorist organization bent on turning every man, woman, and child into a meta human. Now, the very people who had been threatened were out having the time of their lives. 

Scott began to wonder if by living in Lost Haven, the citizens had grown accustomed to living in constant peril. 

As they walked past The End Zone, a small sports bar that was located just across the way from Lost Haven Pier, they saw a small crowd gathered outside the large picture window which held several flat screen TVs which were normally showing any number of national games. However, instead of a number of different basketball games, each screen showed the same horrific scene. A riot had recently broken out in Little Ulster, and once again, the serial killer Nightmare had reemerged to slaughter everyone in sight. 

Scott felt a knot begin to form in his stomach and he clenched his fists as he saw the needless carnage that was being carried out.

[i]Not even one night of peace.[/i] Scott thought to himself.

“Hey guys…I uh, gotta…” Scott started.
“Get to The Hub, we were expecting that special delivery tonight.” Eric chimed in. 

“Oh right, I totally forgot you had mentioned that.” Jenny added as she motioned for him to leave.

“Yeah, I’m so sorry guys. We’ll have to finish this another time.” Scott said as he started off down the street. Then, when he was out of view, he ducked down a side street and then into an alley, where he stripped out of his civilian clothes and into the familiar garb of Icon, and within milliseconds, he was airborne, making a straight line to Little Ulster.