chapter 11: under the surface

Bose POV:

I arrived at Chapa's apartment a bit early, around 6:55 PM. After a few knocks, Chapa opened the door and greeted me with a subdued smile. There wasn't much conversation as we walked up to my car. Chapa seemed distant again, not making eye contact, and I couldn't shake the feeling that something was off.

I drove us to a fancy bar in Swellview, a place known for its quiet ambiance and exquisite cocktails. We took a seat at a table near the window and ordered our drinks. The atmosphere was calm, but the silence between us was palpable. I couldn't help but notice how Chapa's gaze remained fixed on her lap, avoiding any attempt at conversation.

"Is something wrong?" I finally asked, breaking the silence. "You've been quiet tonight."

Chapa looked up, her eyes meeting mine with a tired expression. "I've got a lot on my mind," she admitted, her voice carrying a hint of frustration.

I leaned back in my chair, trying to keep my tone gentle. "I don't want you to be distant again. You promised you wouldn't be."

Chapa sighed deeply, as if she was struggling with something internally. "Fine," she said finally. "I'll be honest with you. I just don't understand why you're so nice to me, lending me that big amount of money, taking me out to fancy bars and more. Meanwhile you've been flirting with Bridget yesterday. You were telling her she looked beautiful, acting like she's your girlfriend and whatever else you were doing. So don't act all nice like this towards me, if you are interested in other women or her for whatever reason it may be."

Her words took me by surprise, and I felt confusion. "Where did you hear that from?" I asked, trying to piece together what was going on.

Chapa shifted in her seat, looking uncomfortable. "I talked to Bridget. She told me everything—about you and her."

I was taken aback. "You heard that from Bridget? Why were you even talking to her?"

Chapa shifted uncomfortably, her hands clasped together. "I talked to Bridget because Scar—who you know as Sam—invited me over to their table. Bridget was sitting at that same table because she was guiding him and Emma around, you know, Sam and Emma the candidates you hired? And you remember Scar, my ex right? His real name turned out to be Sam, and now I see he's working for you."

Jealousy hit me hard. "Wait, so if I get this straight... Scar is Sam?"

"Yeah," Chapa said, her voice tinged with frustration. "I didn't expect you to know, but it's clear now. He's also Elena's boyfriend. It's strange for me, seeing him here, especially since you hired him without knowing."

When she said Scar is Elena's boyfriend, a relieved feeling came up. "Well this is a surprise. But to come back to you, Bridget's exaggerating things. I didn't flirt with her, I don't have any interest in her and I've made that very clear, don't take anything she says seriously, she's seeking attention."

Chapa looked skeptical, but I could tell she wanted to believe me.

Before I could say more, a loud, crashing sound erupted from outside, interrupting our conversation. We both jumped from our seats and hurried to the door to see what was happening. As we stepped out onto the street, the scene before us was chaotic—a massive explosion had torn through a nearby building, and a villain appeared amidst the smoke and debris.

My heart raced as I realized who it was. "It's her," I said, my voice strained. "The villain Miles, Mika and I faced before."

Chapa's eyes widened in shock. "What's going on?"

"There's no time to explain," I said urgently. "We need to get to safety and figure out what to do."

I grabbed Chapa's arm and we ran back inside to find cover and a plan for our next move, the tension between us forgotten in the face of the new danger. The immediate concern was the villain and the chaos she was causing, and as we scrambled to respond, I knew that this night had become something far more complicated than either of us had anticipated.

Chapa POV:

As Bose and I approached the bar, the chaos outside reached a new level. The villain had appeared, and the urgency of the situation was clear. Bose turned to me, his face set with determination.

"We need to transform," he said urgently. "The supervillain from our last encounter has super strength. It's not safe to fight her head-on. I'll distract her with my telekinesis—lift something and throw it at her—and then you can zap her."

I hesitated, feeling a tight knot in my chest. "I can't transform," I admitted, my voice trembling.

Bose's brow furrowed in concern. "Don't tell me you forgot your gum balls. I have backup ones in my box. We all have back-ups for others, you know that."

I shook my head, feeling a surge of frustration. "It's not just that. I can't transform at all."

"What do you mean, you can't transform?" Bose demanded, his voice rising. "People are in danger. We need to act now!"

I felt panic rising and I burst out, I couldn't hold the truth back anymore. "The last villain we ever fought, saw my ID falling out of my pocket. So she found out who I really was and threatened me by saying that if I ever showed up again as Volt or in general while using my superpowers, she would sent bad people after my family, and after Sage too! She also said if I was seen with other Danger Force members, it would put everyone at risk. I can't afford to risk it!"

Bose's eyes widened with shock, confusion and disappointment. "Chapa why haven't you told me this before?! Then I could've understand you, find a solution!"

"You wouldn't understand Bose, you don't understand anything!" I shouted.

I noticed my words hit him like a punch to the gut.

"Fine. If you're not going to help, then I'll handle it myself." Bose replied.

He stormed outside, leaving me behind. I watched helplessly as he threw himself into the fray, trying to fight the villain. My heart pounded as I knew I couldn't stand by and do nothing, but I couldn't reveal my identity or risk exposure.

In a panic, I tried calling Miles and Mika, but neither answered. I sent them a text, hoping they would come to help. I saw the villain's relentless assault on Bose, and my heart pounded with fear and guilt. I couldn't just stand by and watch.

Outside, the battle intensified. The villain had Bose on the ground, and I saw him struggling to move. My heart ached as the villain threw Bose into the nearby lake.

Without thinking, I picked up a rock and threw it with all my strength at the villain, causing her to momentarily look away.

I tried running past her. But the villain caught sight of me and advanced, grabbing me and throwing me to the ground. I screamed. Then I scrambled up and ran towards the lake, jumping in it. I swam through the murky water, calling out for Bose. My voice was swallowed by the noise, and I couldn't hear any response.

I swam deeper, through the darkness, my movements frantic as I called his name over and over again. Feeling something beneath my feet, I reached down and touched a body. I realized it was Bose. I pulled him up, his limp form heavy in the water. With great effort, I managed to get him to the shore and into a safe spot. I knew the villain had seen me, and the danger was far from over.

Just then, Miles and Mika appeared out of nowhere. They had teleported in, and I wasted no time. I helped Bose to get safely out here, while he was unconscious. Miles and Mika didn't notice us.

Bose stirred for a moment, weakly asking, "I can't... breathe..."

"Hold on!" I said, panicking. I began administering CPR, pressing down on his chest and then giving him breaths using my mouth. After a tense two minutes, Bose coughed and sputtered, opening his eyes to see me tear-streaked face hovering above him.

"Chapa?" he rasped, looking at me through blurred vision.

Relief washed over me, and I hugged him tightly. "You're okay," I whispered, tears stinging my eyes.

I helped him into his car, and with a gum ball from his pocket, I told him to transform back to his normal self. I knew how to drive, even though I didn't have a license—Bose had taught me when we were younger. I drove us to his penthouse, my heart racing with every turn.

Once we arrived, I helped him out of the car and into bed. He looked at me gratefully. "Thank you," he murmured before drifting off into a deep sleep.

I knew I couldn't stay. Not now. I grabbed a piece of paper and a pen. I wrote a letter, leaving it for Bose. Then I quietly slipped out, heading back to my apartment, knowing that the night's events would weigh heavily on both of us.