Chapter 5: A Villain in the Mist

 

The following day, Lori arrived at work, eager to dive into an article about the superheroes and vigilantes patrolling the streets. She pondered, “Should I title it ‘Superheroes or Vigilantes’ or perhaps ‘Angels Watching Over Us’?” After some deliberation, she decided to go with the first option.

“Hey Lori, check out this picture!” Marla said, handing it to her. Lori gasped, clearly taken aback.

“Uh, no way,” she said, returning the picture to Marla.

Marla raised an eyebrow and asked, “What’s wrong with using this picture?” She looked a bit confused. Lori sighed heavily and replied, “You can’t see her face clearly,” while nervously playing with the stuff on her desk, trying to mask her growing discomfort.

The picture showed Electra Woman, but it was a bit blurry and snapped from a weird angle, so it was tough for anyone to really tell who she was.  Still, she’d rather people not look too closely and figure out her real identity as Electra Woman. 

"We'll go with a different picture," she mentioned. Marla just shrugged and agreed. Once she finished the article, her boss complimented her work.

 "Lori, do you really think these so-called superheroes or vigilantes, as the police refer to them, are actually looking out for the public?"  the editor asked.

"Absolutely, I believe they’re here to assist, not to obstruct the efforts of law enforcement. I believe these superheroes are going to have a real impact.”  The editor nodded, “Sounds good to me, it’s well done and it’s going to print,” he took a moment and then asked, “Are you planning to attend the company Christmas party?”

Lori looked over at him and replied, “Possibly.” 

 “Alright, then I’ll catch you there.”  Mr. Jones had a crush on Lori for a while, but after everything she went through, he hesitated to ask her out. Lori headed home and prepped for her martial arts class. When she got there, Kris was already waiting.

"Hey Lori, how was your day at work?" Kris paused for a second and added, “Mine was super boring. Dealing with customers is,” she sighed and rolled her eyes, “you get what I’m saying.”

Lori gave a nod.  “Is your brother planning to visit you?” she asked. Kris's eyes sparkled with excitement.  “I knew it! You two are just meant to be. I could feel the chemistry when I introduced you at the park.” Kris is completely off base, but Lori kept quiet about it.

The idea of her being drawn to Tim sent a shiver down her spine, causing her to frown and grimace.  Later, while Kris was rehearsing with fellow students, Tim made an appearance. He observed the practice session closely.  Lori was paired with Kris, and Tim focused intently on Lori’s movements. 

“Heroes need a nemesis,” he mused, with a sly grin. Lori noticed Tim’s intense gaze but decided to brush it off.  Once class wrapped up, Kris and Tim headed out, and Lori gathered her stuff and followed suit.  When she got home, Frank excitedly revealed some new gadgets for her to use in her crime-fighting adventures.

“This device launches a net from this metal casing,” he explained while demonstrating its use.  “You can attach this nifty gadget to your belt.”

“Wow, Uncle Frank, you’ve really been working hard.”

“Yep, but what about you?” Lori took a moment to think, then replied, “I’m doing well.” Frank shook his head, a look of concern on his face.

“Lori, you need to turn him in.” Frank felt a wave of relief wash over him when she acknowledged his concerns, but deep down, he couldn't shake the feeling that her words were merely a way to placate him. The following day, Lori showed up at the office Christmas party. It’s the day before Christmas and it was chilly outside. Tim, who had previously stalked her before the assault, recalled where she worked as he sat parked across the street. He made a daring choice and crashed the party. Nobody questioned his presence; they just figured he was a buddy or family member of one of their coworkers. He kept to the sidelines, trying to stay under Lori's radar. From his spot, he observed her chatting with another female coworker. His stare was intense, like a predator lurking in the dark, just biding his time.

As the party started to wrap up, folks began to head out, and Lori was no exception. On her way to the parking garage, she spotted Marla’s car with the hood popped open. Curious, she went over to check it out.

“Hey, what’s going on?”

Marla let out a sigh and replied, “Looks like there’s an issue with my car; it just won’t start.”

Lori said, "I can drive you home if you want."

"Sounds good," Marla replied, quickly grabbing her things from her car and jumping into Lori's. Lori softly chuckled to herself, thinking about how Marla would react if she had given her a lift in the Electra Car. Tim chose to wait for Lori at her home, eager to see how well she is in combat.  "Every hero needs a villain, Electra Woman,” he mused as he drove.

While Lori was driving Marla back home, she realized they were heading towards the street where Kris and her brother live. She let out a quiet sigh. They passed the apartment complex to a duplex community a few blocks away. Lori parked in the parking space at the back of the duplex, and both walked to Marla’s duplex home. 

Lori didn’t have to walk her coworker all the way to her apartment; she could’ve just told her she was heading home. But out of habit, Lori felt the need to keep an eye on her and make sure she got inside safely.

“Thanks for helping me out, Lori,” Marla said, taking a moment and added, “With that serial rapist on the loose, it’s better to be safe than sorry.”

Lori gave a nod.  “How about some coffee?” Marla offered while she heated up the water.

“Actually, no thanks, Marla. I really need to head back home,” Lori replied with a smile as she turned to leave. Drive safely, and I really appreciate your help! Lori gave a nod and replied, “Merry Christmas, Marla.” They shared a hug before Lori headed out. With Christmas just around the corner, Lori was super excited to see her uncle's reaction when he unwraps his presents tomorrow.  As Lori drove into the driveway, she caught sight of something shifting behind the bushes next to the front porch. Exercising caution, she stepped out of the car. The moonlight shimmered across the lawn. Lori hurriedly approached the front door, her senses on high alert, when out of nowhere, she was knocked to the ground! Her purse flew through the air, accompanied by her Electra-com, which she should have used to alert her uncle about the intruder on the property.

Tim caught her off guard, leaving her breathless.  “The first rule is to always stay alert to your surroundings,” Tim remarked, his voice dripping with sarcasm. Lori swiftly regained her composure and leaped to her feet, taking on a defensive stance, her body ready for whatever might come next. Tim wore a snug black long-sleeved shirt that highlighted his toned body, paired with matching black sweatpants and sleek black sneakers.

Even with a black mask covering his eyes, Lori was still able to recognize his voice.  A sly grin played on his lips as his gaze beneath the mask, locked onto her with fierce intensity. Lori felt slightly disoriented but steadied herself with a deep breath, removing her heels and lifting her fists in readiness.

Lori's voice was strained as she replied, "You're making a big mistake."

"Every hero needs a nemesis, Electra Woman," Tim shot back.

Lori's eyes widened, and her jaw clenched in response.

Tim continued, "I know exactly who you are. You ought to be grateful," he said, taking a moment.  

"Why do you say that?" she asked, a wave of fear washing over her, urging her to flee. Yet deep down, she understood that confronting him was her only option.

“If I hadn't raped you, you would have never embraced the life of a vigilante,” he paused, then finger quoted, “A superhero.”  He lunged at her, and they plunged into a fierce battle. Their fighting skills were evenly matched, but Tim had a few tricks up his sleeve that left Lori momentarily stunned. She got knocked down a few times, but each time she sprang back up, her fury evident, and Tim found it exhilarating.

Lori gasped for air, each strike against her body, felt like being pounded by rocks. Tim showed no signs of relenting, and Lori knew it all too well.  Out of the blue, a mysterious figure emerged and launched an attack on Tim. Despite being on the brink of exhaustion, Lori summoned her remaining strength to confront him, joining forces with another superhero to take on the assailant.  He knew he could handle both, but feeling outnumbered, he chose to withdraw, sprinting into the shadowy embrace of the trees. 

The mysterious figure who came to Lori's aid was about to chase after him, but Lori cried out, “No!” She collapsed onto her knees, and the enigmatic woman quickly assisted her back up, guiding her into the safety of her home. Lori’s uncle is taken aback and furious. “Lori, you have to report this attack immediately!” he said. The woman assisting Lori nodded in agreement. Lori glanced at her and asked, "Who are you?" The mysterious figure wore a stylish black and gold snug bodysuit, paired with matching boots and a black mask.

As she took off the mask, her captivating emerald eyes shone through. Her light brown hair was pulled back into a ponytail. She settled beside Lori, softly placing her hand over Lori’s to provide reassurance.  “I used to go by Lightning Gen, but now I’m Lady Lightning,” she said with a playful grin and a roll of her eyes.  “I’ve been watching your superhero activities, and I actually came here to chat with you when I spotted a man hanging out in the shadows,” she paused for a moment.  “It looked like you could use some help.”  Her smile was warm and full of kindness.  Lori attempted to sound courageous as she said with a nod, “I’ll report the attack, even though I’m not entirely sure who he is,” she lied, fully aware of his identity.  Her uncle exhaled in relief and passed her the phone.  She dialed the police, and they arrived at their home shortly after.  However, by that time, Lady Lightning had vanished, leaving behind a business card with a number scrawled on the back for Lori.

Lori shared the incident with great detail, yet she chose to keep her suspicions about who the attacker really was, to herself. The thought of Kris discovering the truth about her brother filled her with anxiety, as it could completely turn her life upside down. She did not want to be the one to destroy Kris’s life, however eventually she will tell her about her brother and fears that day will be coming soon.

Determined to lighten her own load, Lori firmly decided against being the one to expose Kris’s brother’s secret, not yet.  After the cops left, her uncle was deeply engrossed in his inventions down at the Electra Base, tirelessly crafting new gadgets for Lori to utilize in her crime-fighting adventures.  He knows that she will ultimately catch Tim and hold him accountable, so it's crucial for her to be well-prepared and ready for the confrontation. 

He is unaware that the man who attacked Lori, was in fact, Tim. It would not sit well with him if he found out that Lori left that out of the report.  Meanwhile, Lori settled into the soothing warmth of the tub, her tired body throbbing with fatigue. With her eyes closed, she pondered, “Tim, payback's coming.”

(Pictures used are for the readers entertainment)

Chapter 4: Not A Secret Anymore

 

Tim got home around 3 in the morning. Kris was soundly asleep and had no knowledge of her brother’s extracurricular activities. It would break her heart if she ever found out that her brother was a rapist. Tim quietly made his way to his room, passing his sister’s room. He gingerly opened her bedroom door to look in on her. He could hear her snoring; he smiled and closed the door and went to the bathroom. As he undressed, he noticed the scratches on his upper right arm and dabbed rubbing alcohol on it. He winced and clutched his teeth to mask the pain.

 “That bitch scratched me,” he muttered, referring to his latest victim. He quickly washed up and went to his bedroom. After closing the door, he sat on his bed for a moment.

 “Lori,” he whispered, “so that’s her name.” He smirked and lay down on his bed. Wearing only his boxers, he reminisced about when he raped Lori.  He loves the fear he saw in her eyes, but when he ran into her recently, she looked right at him with no fear, just a burning desire for revenge.

 He thought to himself, “I wonder why she hasn’t turned me in yet?” He was mulling that over and wasn’t too fond of what was on his mind, in fact he was worried. A few days later, he found himself at the breakfast table, watching the news on TV. It was his day off, and Kris was busy at work. She gets off at 9pm. He was enjoying his lunch when a segment aired about a vigilante known as Electra Woman.

"Electra Woman strikes again, thwarting yet another robbery," the reporter declared, kicking off an interview with the shop owner. Once the interview wrapped up, they displayed a photo captured of Electra Woman a few weeks prior. An unidentified individual captured the image and forwarded it to the news station. The photograph reveals only a partial side view of her body and face, but there's no doubt about it—it's Lori. Tim let his fork slip from his fingers, the sound echoing as it hit the table. Sometimes Lori wore a mask, but not that day. Tim's eyes widened in shock before narrowing with realization.

 “No way,” he murmured. “Now I see why she hasn’t reported me to the police; she’s biding her time, that bitch. She’s got something up her sleeve and I won’t let her get the upper hand,” he resolved. That week, he dropped by the martial arts class. While Lori was busy assisting a student, Tim strolled in. Her eyes went wide, a wary look shadowed her face. Tim walked up to her. “Lori, is my sister here?”  

She looked at him, her gaze sharpening. Then, she forced a smile and replied, "I think she’ll be here tomorrow."  

"Right, I totally forgot," he laughed lightly. Lori felt a shiver of discomfort around him; honestly, all she wanted was to take him down and haul him into the police station. She didn’t want him to figure out that she knew he was the one who attacked her. She wanted him to stay completely oblivious. After everything he put her through, she was dead set on catching him as Electra Woman. Her uncle had a valid point, but she was determined to handle it her own way. Clenching her jaw, she turned her gaze elsewhere.

 Tim spun around slowly, about to leave, but then stopped, faced back, and said, “You know, I actually took a martial arts class too, and I’m a black belt,” raising his eyebrows with a smirk on his face. Lori snapped her head back to look at him, and they locked eyes with a fierce intensity. “Is he trying to challenge me?” she thought.

With a touch of sarcasm she said, “If that's the case, maybe you ought to show your sister a few self-defense moves. You don’t want her getting raped by some loser, piece of shit, right?”

 With her arms crossed, she stared him down. He just stood there, hands in his pockets, giving her a hard glare. Their eyes met, neither were willing to give in.

"You know, we should definitely practice some moves together someday. I’m sure I could show you a thing or two," he said in a low voice. 

She sighed and replied, "Just let your sister know I'll catch her in class tomorrow," then Lori turned and headed off to grab her stuff from the back as she was going to call it a day. Tim watched her as she walked away. The other instructor had walked in to take her place. 

He pictured Lori in the outfit she rocks as Electra Woman. He thought to himself, "There's no chance she wants anyone to discover she's Electra Woman. That would be a total disaster for her. She'd lose her job and have to create a whole new identity."

 He flashed a bold grin, then casually walked out. Lori had a brief conversation with the instructor who arrived right after he left. "I'm going to head home now. Catch you tomorrow," she said. They bowed at each other, and she walked out. While driving home, she was completely unaware that another car was following her. She drove up the long driveway that led to the house, which was pretty isolated with no neighbors around. After getting out of the car, she made her way to the front door and called out for her uncle as she stepped inside. Frank walked over and hugged his niece. 

“How was your day?” he asked. Lori collapsed onto the couch, letting out a deep breath as she recounted what happened in class. He felt his jaw clench, a wave of anger bubbling up inside him.

“Lori, you should report him. He seems to know who you are and..."  

Lori cut in, "Yeah, I get it. I'm thinking about it."  

"Thinking isn't enough, you need to take action," her uncle urged. She nodded in agreement.  

"I have work tomorrow, plus class, and Kris will be there."

Frank sighed, "Lori, you know how I feel about this."  

"I understand,” was all she said and then she went upstairs to take a shower before going to bed. 

Tim stared at the ominous Victorian home. “So that is where you live now, Electra Woman,” he pondered. He cast a sharp look and let out a heavy sigh as he turned the key to start his red 1964 Mustang, a cherished gift from his mother. Keeping the headlights off, he drove away quietly, ensuring he was well clear of the house before illuminating the road ahead. He finally came to a halt after leaving the quiet street where the Victorian house stood. 

While driving home, he turned on the radio. A track named, “One Toke Over the Line” by Brewer & Shipley was playing softly. He pulled into the apartment complex, parked in the carport, locked up, and made his way up the stairs to his apartment. When he opened the door, Kris greeted him with a bright smile. “Hey big bro, where’ve you been?” He tossed his keys into the bowl and snagged a beer from the fridge.

“Just went out for a bit, nothing major.”  

“Really? You sure you’re not hiding a girlfriend?” she joked. He chuckled, shook his head, and quickly switched topics, “So, are you heading to class tomorrow?”

“Yeah, why?” Kris asked. He plopped down on the couch and started flipping through the channels, landing on the news. 

“Mind if I come over to check it out?” he asked. 

Kris settled beside him, deep in thought until a realization struck her. “Wait a minute, I see what’s going on,” she said, pausing for effect. “It’s Lori, isn’t it? You have a crush on her!” she chuckled.

He lifted an eyebrow, gave a slight shake of his head and scoffed. “Well, I took a martial arts class ages ago, so I’m curious to see what your instructor is teaching you.” 

Kris frowned slightly, “Sure, I guess.” She took a sip from her Pepsi. The news unexpectedly aired a piece on the enigmatic Electra Woman. They replayed the same image from last night. Tim looked over at Kris, who, completely didn’t realize that Lori is Electra Woman.

Kris remarked, “It seems like there are quite a few vigilantes out there these days. The police might grumble about it, but I have a feeling they secretly appreciate the extra support.” Tim focused intently on the image on the screen, his gaze sharpened. “Sure,” he replied curtly before switching the channel. Kris simply shrugged, and they settled in to watch an episode of Sanford and Son.