Slow Night

                                    

                                          
Scar pov 
As I stood atop the rooftop, watching the quiet streets below, the thought of CG stepping back kept circling in my mind. I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off. The night was calm—too calm, almost—and it gave me too much space to think.
I decided to call Xisuma. I knew he’d be working late too, but at least he could help clear up my doubts. I needed someone to talk to.
When Xisuma answered, I could hear the faint sounds of his usual late-night tasks in the background. "What’s up?" he asked, his voice calm and steady as usual.
I took a deep breath, trying to find the right words. "Hey, I’ve been thinking about CG," I started, my voice a little more uncertain than usual. "Is he really gonna... step back? Like, stop being a hero? I thought we were a good team, but now I’m just... worried. Is that really what’s going to happen?"
There was a brief silence on the other end before Xisuma spoke again, his tone thoughtful. "Well, technically, yes. CG was always meant to be temporary until you were back from recovery," he explained. "He stepped up because you needed time to heal, and now that you’re fully in the swing of things again, he’s fading out. He’s not abandoning you—he’s just... giving you space to be the hero again."
I let out a long sigh, frustration bubbling up inside me. "But I don’t want him to just disappear," I muttered, my words coming out more childish than I intended. "He was fun to have around. He kept everything chaotic, but in a good way. And now it feels like... it’s all on me again."
Xisuma’s voice softened. "I know it’s hard, but CG did what he set out to do. He helped you find your footing again. And he’ll still be around in some form, even if not as a hero. He’s not leaving you, just... shifting his focus. And that’s okay. Heroes have to learn to stand on their own sometimes."
I frowned, the pout forming on my face as I leaned against the edge of the rooftop. "But he was like... the best chaos I ever had. It’s going to be weird without him. What if I get too lonely, or what if I need him and he’s not around?"
"You’re not alone," Xisuma replied gently. "You still have me, and the rest of the team. And if you ever need CG, you know he’ll be there. He just... won’t be in the same role. You’re a hero in your own right now, and you don’t have to rely on anyone else to carry the weight. It’s your time to shine."
I huffed, my gaze drifting down the dark alleyways below. "I guess... I understand. But it just feels different. Like something's missing. Like... a piece of the puzzle is gone."
Xisuma chuckled softly, his usual calmness seeping through. "You’ll adjust. Change is tough, but it’s part of growing. And you’re going to be great, trust me. But don’t let that make you feel like you’re alone. You’ve got support, whether CG’s around or not."
I bit my lip, nodding slightly even though Xisuma couldn’t see me. "I know, I know. Just... I’ll miss the chaos. It was kind of... fun. Even if it was unpredictable."
"Yeah," Xisuma said with a light laugh. "CG has a way of keeping things interesting, that’s for sure. But it’s your time now. You got this."
I took another breath, trying to absorb his words. "Thanks, Xisuma. I think I just needed to hear that from someone who gets it. I’ll try to figure things out. Just... maybe I’ll still keep the chaos in my own way."
"That’s the spirit," he said, his voice more upbeat. "Go ahead and make your own chaos, then. But for now, keep an eye out for anything that might need a hero."
"Will do," I said with a small smile, feeling a little more settled. "I’ll catch you later, Xisuma."
"Take care," he replied, and we hung up.
I stood there for a moment, letting the quiet of the night settle around me. I knew Xisuma was right—things were changing, and I needed to adapt. But I couldn’t help but wish CG was still here with me, causing his usual brand of chaos.
The weight of the realization hit me as I stood there, staring at the empty street below. Working alone again wasn’t something I’d been expecting, but now that it was here, it felt oddly suffocating. It wasn’t that I couldn’t handle it—I’d been through worse. But after having CG around, his chaotic energy, his unpredictability, it had become... comforting. Even though we were both superheroes in our own right, we’d balanced each other out. And now it felt like a missing piece in the puzzle I hadn’t even noticed until it was gone.
I leaned against the edge of the rooftop, trying to shake off the lingering feeling of uncertainty. I’ve got this. I’ve done this before. The words echoed in my mind, but they felt less certain than they should have.
The streets were quiet, the only sounds coming from distant traffic and the occasional rustle of the wind. It felt like a lull between storms—an unsettling calm. I glanced up at the stars, trying to gather my thoughts. This is what it means to be a hero. No partner. No backup. Just me.
And yet, I missed it. The excitement of being in sync with someone. The banter, the unpredictability of what CG would do next. Now it was just me—alone on these rooftops, watching the quiet world below.
A sigh escaped my lips, and I straightened up, pushing the doubt aside. I wasn’t going to let this slow me down. I’ll find my rhythm again. I always do.
Still, a small part of me couldn’t help but wonder if, even though I was ready to take the solo mantle again, I’d ever feel the same.