No. 166

Dauntless didn’t flinch as the first blow landed.  

Instead, he kept moving, feeling no pain, as he advanced toward the ringleader of the gang as they pummeled him from all sides.

He grabbed his target without pausing and quickly subdued the shocked villain. The rest of the scoundrels, without their leader, and now facing a seemingly invincible foe, all turned and ran into the night.

The first thing Jeff Anson, Dauntless, did when he returned home was peel off his mask and toss it on the couch. He was still jittery from the adrenaline of his evening’s adventure. He had just completed his first week with the Hero’s Alliance.

He picked up his phone to call his twin sister, Alison.

“Hey,” she answered. “How’s it going?”

Jeff couldn’t contain himself. “It was awesome. This was the best idea ever.”

Alison was quiet for a second.

“I’m glad you could finally do something with your power,” she told him.

“What are you up to?” he asked. “You want to come by for a barbeque or something? We can celebrate.”

There was another pause.

“Sis?” asked Jeff.

“Oh, yeah, sorry,” she answered. “I’ll be swamped with work for the next little while.”

“No problem. Soon, though.”

“Sure,” she said. “Hey, I’m glad you called but I have to get going here.”

“Alright,” said Jeff. “Goodnight Ali.”

Alison hung up the phone gently. She grimaced as she re-applied the icepack to her battered body.

It was difficult to avoid her brother, but she knew if he found out the reason he felt no pain he would quit and never wear the Dauntless costume again.