Hidden behind the curtains in his high-rise, Anthony peered at the growing crowd of spectators for the superhero auditions. Early morning light bled through the cityscape, yet the zig-zagging line already spanned several blocks leading up to the local Superhero and Gifted Services - or SGS - building. The distant skyscraper covered in black glass was a fortress. He released his sweaty grip on the curtains. They fell closed. No one could see in; no one could see out.
"I'm not going back. The auditions have nothing to do with me," Anthony told himself, trying to talk away the mild anxiety gnawing at his stomach. He slumped back onto the couch where he'd spent the night.
He grabbed at the floor for his controller. His last memory before passing out gaming was it thunking against the hardwood, but it wasn't there. His gaze darted around the living room, searching for it. Pizza pocket wrappers and soda cans from last night's dinner littered the glass coffee table. Alphabetized books stocked the shelves. He eyed the black flat screen, realizing that he didn't remember turning it off last night. The remote was missing too. Strange.
He groped beneath the couch cushions. Crumbs, but nothing else. No remote. No controller. He reached into his shorts' pockets for his cellphone, but that was missing too. Hopefully, it was charging in his room. He scowled at the blank screen too far away. He wanted it on.
"Mew!"
Lemon, a tabby cat with yellow eyes, puttered into the room. Thin tail sticking up, she headed straight to Anthony before nuzzling his legs. She purred.
"Mom!" Anthony called, looking around to ensure he was truly alone. "Mom! You home?"
He waited, but there was no response. If his mother had returned home last night, she would have woken him up, scolded him for sleeping on the couch, then cleaned up the mess before sending him to bed.
Certain that he was alone and the curtains were shut, Anthony glanced down at Lemon. He reached into the animal's mind, taking control. Easy as breathing. Anthony's brown eyes and the cat's eyes turned a dull orange in unison. With a thought from Anthony, the tabby trotted to the T.V before leaping and hitting the power button. Television would do.
With each consecutive leap, the cat pawed the flat screen's buttons, flipping through channels. Mostly commercials. News hyped the superhero auditions. An overly dramatic history documentary, cooking shows, and reruns of crime and medical dramas. Boring. Same old. Leap. Switch. Nothing.
The clicking of the front door unlocking made Anthony's breath hitch. On reflex, he released his hold over the cat and the orange left their eyes. No one, not even his mother, could know about his power. Sitting up straight, he stared at the open doorway leading to the entryway.
Lemon froze before mewing and trotting back towards Anthony. Purring, she nuzzled Anthony's legs.
"Mom?" Anthony called. "That you?"
"Who else would waltz in without knocking?" his mom's voice called from the entryway.
"Don't know." Shoulders still tense, Anthony reached down and scratched Lemon's head. Her fur was warm and soft. "How'd work go?"
"Been up all night. Met with a client. It was past two in the morning before I returned to the office. Then there were mountains of paperwork." The closet opened and then closed as his mom put away her shoes. "At least I get the day off and don't need to deal with the auditions. The last one was enough for a lifetime; hard to believe it's already been five years."
His mom walked into the living room. Her SGS name tag - proof of her allegiance to the organization - was pinned to her blazer. It read, "Mrs. Kastner." A tight bun confined her curls, and despite the layers of makeup, the bags under her eyes were visible against her dark complexion. Frowning, she glanced around the room.
