Sidekick V-Sides 3: Black Sheep
A time to appreciate those who love us
Coned Kitten
Jayne did not make it to the Halloween photoshoot because he hurt himself and was in a cone of shame. Poor Jayne… he did not deserve this.
…Time for this week’s story…
Sidekick V-Sides 3: Black Sheep
Against the advice of LeFiels, Hydraxia accepted her family’s invitation to Thanksgiving dinner. Theo wished her well, assuring her there was a seat waiting for her if things went awry. Hydraxia hugged her friends then walked through the painting of a portal Pencil Pete had made on a wall. It took people to whatever place they held in their mind.
A second later, Hydraxia was looking at her childhood home. She arrived as close to dinner time as possible so as not to have to spend any more time there than she needed to. The only exception to this was Hydraxia’s Aunt Audry, who answered the door. She was her family's olive branch.
“Amelia! Oh my goodness! I haven't seen you since you graduated college. Oh my, you have so many tattoos.” Audrey greeted with loving warmth and excitement. Her hug was as firm as ever.
“Yeah, I started getting them after college. Oh, Aunt Audrey, I've missed you so much.” Amelia was transported back in time by the comforting presence of the only person from whom she received love and acceptance as a child.
Inside, it was a stark contrast to the life Hydraxia had grown accustomed to with Theo and the gang. Everyone called her Amelia, and they looked at her with disgust and disdain, if at all. Most of the family were repulsed by her tattoos and she reveled in their displeasure. That was how she coped with the constant pressure of their judgment. Only her youngest sibling Harry was happy to see her. A kid when she left, he was now twenty-one and loved her tattoos.
Her father rushed everyone to the table. Amelia sat between Audry and Harry. From left to right, sitting opposite her was Liam, her oldest brother, her father Henry, her mother Linda, and her older sister Beatrice, who everyone called Beebee. Her younger sister Delilah sat on the other side of Audry. Once everyone began eating, Henry wanted to know how the kids were doing, starting with Liam.
Liam bragged about making money in the stock market and joked about “the poor,” shooting Amelia mocking glances every time. Next, Beebee talked about her promotion at a company with a private paramilitary force larger than the armies of many countries. She was in the environmental department, finding creative ways to monetize what she called an inevitably dying planet.
Then, her father asked Henry how he was doing. Henry said he was doing great and loving college, but didn’t have much to contribute. Equally short with her contribution, Delilah was an influencer who peddled her rich, jobless lifestyle to followers who aspired to live her life.
Going last, Amelia explained she was working for a company that helped people learn to use their abilities. She didn’t finish explaining before they started asking doubtful questions and making premature judgments. Did she get paid well? How were they okay with her tattoos? Clearly they weren’t very professional. Who was her boss?
“The owner is actually like a creative genius, he really cares about people, he’s a really amazing person,” Hydraxia was quick to talk about Theo.
“He’s probably some ugly loser,” Delilah chided.
“Actually, he’s pretty handsome, and sweet. He created a million dollar company in less than two years. More than you’ve ever done with your life.”
“Not impressed,” Henry said.
“Is it publicly traded? I haven’t heard of it,” Liam said.
“No, it’s privately owned.”
“Call me when your boss gets serious.” Liam snickered and shook his head.
“So, you help freaks learn to be freaks and then help them find work?” Beebee asked. Amelia cursed at her sister for referring to people with abilities as freaks. The table erupted into an argument until Henry and Linda calmed things down.
“I think that’s a good thing you’re helping people like that. Heaven knows we don’t need more of them roaming the streets. They’re the reason our economy is so bad.” Linda preferred to block it from her mind that she gave birth to one such person in Amelia. Before Amelia could respond, Henry contributed.
“If we didn’t have to build all these special cages for these people, all that money could go toward education, fixing the roads, and it would pretty much put an end to crime.”
“Yeah, they should all just die.” Beebee side-eyed Amelia.
“Beatrice, that’s so cruel,” Audry said, flabbergasted.
“What? Wouldn’t the world be better if these people just didn’t exist? We’d all be happier without them,” Beebee said.
“Reel it in, Beebee,” Henry said. “I don’t disagree, but these people exist whether we like it or not. At least we can be glad that she’s making sure these people don’t become criminals.”
“I guess,” Beebee said.
“It’s so cute when rejects stick together. Like, people who suck and nobody wants them totally deserve each other. I’m glad you found your tribe, sis,” Delilah said.
On the verge of tears, Amelia looked to Henry, who was confused and sad. Audry began criticizing her sister Linda for the family’s behavior. Amelia had enough of it all and stood up from her chair. She told off her family for the years of abuse and trauma, then showered Audry and Harry with love, giving them big hugs before running upstairs. The dinner table erupted into raucous clamor behind her.
In her childhood bedroom, she took a picture of her stand-up mirror, then sent it to Theo. Seconds later, Theo and her friends were on the other side of the mirror with a bounty of food. She grabbed some things from her childhood bedroom and stepped through the mirror, then the mirror reverted. A minute later, there was a knock at her door. With no answer, her parents let themselves in.
“I’m sorry, Mister Dinocon, it looks like she disappeared,” Linda said.
A caped hero wearing green and black entered the room behind them.
“Looks like we were too slow to mobilize. It’s okay, we’ll get another shot. Thank you for your cooperation.”
Next Time
Gargoyleman: Cold Case