LIBREVILLE HOSPITAL – THE JUSTICE'S ROOM – AFTERNOON
The room was white. Too white. Machines beeped in rhythm. Cables hung from the ceiling. The smell of antiseptics floated in the air.
The Justice lay on the bed, eyes half-closed. His face was hollowed, emaciated. The poison wasn't attacking his body. It was attacking his mind.
Angel and Grann stood before him. Mokonzi, arms crossed, blocked the door.
"Speak," Mokonzi ordered.
The Justice slowly turned his head toward him.
"Two weeks ago… I met a man. In a bar."
Angel raised an eyebrow. "The Justice in a bar?"
"Even heroes need a drink sometimes."
Grann stepped closer. "Tell us everything."
The Justice closed his eyes.
"His name was The Puppeteer. He wore a mask. Not a carnival mask. A wooden mask. Smooth. Terrible."
He took a deep breath.
"He sat next to me. Ordered a whiskey. Then he talked to me. He said he had a plan."
"What plan?" asked Angel.
The Justice opened his eyes. His pupils trembled.
"To destroy the Union's headquarters."
Silence in the room.
Mokonzi uncrossed his arms. "When?"
"He didn't say. He just smiled. He put his hand on mine… and I felt the poison enter."
Angel clenched his fists. "And you did nothing?"
"I tried. I raised my fist. But…"
He lowered his head.
"…I no longer had faith."
BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP.
The TV alarm went off.
All eyes turned to the screen.
———
BREAKING NEWS – UNION HEADQUARTERS – LIVE
A reporter, microphone in hand, stood before an imposing building. Behind her, flames. Sirens. People running.
"We are live in front of the Union of Africia Kingdoms headquarters, under attack by a masked man! Creatures – demons? – are spreading terror throughout the district!"
The image shook. A figure appeared on the building's roof.
A man. Black wooden mask. Long coat. Motionless.
Around him, creatures. Human bodies, but twisted, deformed, with white masks frozen in terrified expressions.
One of them, massive, unfurled bat wings. It rose into the air, carrying the man on its back.
The Puppeteer hovered above the crowd. His amplified voice echoed throughout the city.
"Citizens of Africia. Listen to me."
People froze.
"This Union you worship is nothing but an ordeal. Instead of investing in infrastructure, schools, hospitals, you bet everything on the enrichment of five people."
He extended his arm toward the burning building.
"Five heroes who only handle major problems. State problems. And leave the people to die in the shadows."
His voice filled with contempt.
"Take an example from Jipangu. From the USO. At least they have a system that protects citizens every day. You're just a bunch of good-for-nothings who think they're acting for the best."
He spread his arms.
"I'm going to show you all the holes you need to fill for Africa to evolve. Get ready… for the BAZZARD SHOW."
BOOM. BOOM. BOOM.
The creatures posted around the building exploded. One by one. The Union headquarters shook on its foundations. Windows shattered. Debris fell.
People screamed. Cameras trembled.
Angel turned to Mokonzi. "We have to go."
Mokonzi didn't answer. He was already at the door.
Grann followed him.
The Justice tried to get up.
"Wait… I can…"
His legs gave way. He fell heavily to the floor.
Grann turned back, helped him up.
"Stay. You're too weak."
The Justice gritted his teeth. "I'm the Union's number one. I can't stay here while…"
"You'll be no use if you collapse on the way," Grann cut in. "Rest. We'll handle it."
He turned and disappeared into the hallway.
The Justice, leaning against his bed, watched the television. Images scrolled by. Chaos. Smoke. Creatures.
And in the middle, the man with the wooden mask.
Bazzard.
———
IN THE HALLWAY
Angel and Grann caught up with Mokonzi. The hospital air was heavy. Nurses ran. Panicked patients watched the news on their phones.
Mokonzi stopped at the exit.
"You stay behind me. Don't get in my way."
Angel was about to respond when a voice, smooth, almost singing, echoed behind them.
"Well, well… what a commotion."
They turned around.
A man stood there. Purple suit. Purple shirt. Purple top hat. A cane in his hand, which he twirled casually.
His afro was imposing, perfectly rounded, like a black halo.
He approached, smiling, and when he smiled, his gold teeth gleamed.
THE BEST OF THE WORLD, engraved in capital letters on his dental grill.
Wonder. Third pillar of the Union. Number 1 of South Africa.
He stopped in front of The Justice, leaned his cane against the wall, and adjusted his hat.
"Fancy meeting you here, old friend."
The Justice looked at him. He didn't answer.
Wonder pulled a purple handkerchief from his pocket, wiped an imaginary speck of dust from The Justice's shoulder.
"You have the face of a loser. That doesn't suit you."
His voice was soft, almost friendly. But his eyes… his eyes weren't smiling.
The Justice lowered his head. "The poison…"
"The poison, the poison…" Wonder put away his handkerchief. "That's just an excuse. The real weakness is here."
He placed a finger on The Justice's forehead.
"In your head."
He withdrew his hand, picked up his cane, and turned to Mokonzi.
"Right. Handle that clown at headquarters. I'll watch over our friend here."
Mokonzi looked at him, suspicious.
"You're not coming to fight?"
Wonder shrugged.
"I have more important things to do."
He sat down in an armchair, crossed his legs, and began twirling his cane.
Mokonzi hesitated for a second, then walked out.
Angel and Grann exchanged a glance, then followed him.
Wonder watched them leave.
Then he turned to The Justice.
"So, old friend…"
He smiled. His gold teeth gleamed.
"…we're going to have a good time."
———
TO BE CONTINUED…