Chapter 22: Finding a Teacher
Allen needs to ask Jerome for a few things, such as helping him and his sister Lillian find a new house, his home is no longer safe as it has been discovered by the phalanx, and arranging for his mother to be admitted to a different hospital so that she can get better treatment and still be safer.
Jerome stated that these things are easy and can be handled by phone.
After hanging up, Jerome saw Allen fidgeting and asked curiously, "What's on your mind? Go ahead and tell me what else you need."
Allen asked, "Do you believe in superpowers in this world?"
"Why do you ask?" Jerome asked suspiciously.
Allen told Jerome about the night’s event, not realizing that Jerome's expression had turned serious.
Jerome whispered, "Man, it's necessary to tell you something ...... I'm a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent! My code name is Captain America!"
Thinking Jerome knew something, Allen listened intently and got an answer.
"If it weren’t for the fact that my hand was injured, I would have punched you guys hard in the face!" Allen said through clenched teeth.
Jerome stepped back with his hands outstretched, "Hey man, I was just kidding. I've never seen a superpowered person, but I know one that might be able to help you! I've seen her take down a whole street full of punks with my eyes!"
Allen became curious about the person Jerome was talking about, and he once again thought of the battle-hardened beauty.
The tricky, speckled snake looked like a baby who had just learned to walk in her hands. Then, there was the fruit knife, which ended up in the wall, and he saw the officer struggle to pull it out.
"Are all women this good these days?" Allen muttered in a small voice.
Allen spent two days in the hospital when he and Jerome put on a show. Allen lies about being targeted by the killers because he accidentally saves Jerome, who is being hunted. This gets Lillian to accept the offer to move and quickly accepts Jerome's financial assistance.
After settling in with Lillian and her mother, Jerome drove Allen to the master he said he was looking for.
On the way, Allen felt amazed at the restored arm.
''My eyes are transforming my body. My healing ability has gotten a lot stronger.'' Just as Allen felt his eyes getting stronger, Jerome's car stopped.
"Here we are. Remember, when you see that woman, you must be respectful and not look her straight! Or she'll shove your head up your ass!" Jerome's expression was severe.
Allen's mood became tense.
"When you see her, be as respectful as a slave seeing his enslaver." Jerome took a bottle of beautifully packaged red wine from the car’s back seat. This was the meeting gift he had prepared for Allen.
Allen followed Jerome's lead and saw he was as serious as a soldier about to go into battle.
The two made their way up to the second floor, an unfurnished gym with dark grey concrete walls that looked rugged.
"Addison Amelia, madam, are you there?" Jerome whispered as he knocked on the door.
Just as Allen surveyed his surroundings, footsteps were heard, followed by a sudden tap from Jerome.
"Quick! Be respectful!" Jerome commanded Allen to kneel.
Allen immediately dropped to his knees while a pair of women's sneakers appeared.
"Jerome, what are you doing?" A slightly raspy voice rang out.
Allen's heart beat faster when he heard the familiar voice. ''It's the mysterious woman who fought off the speckled snake last night.''
Jerome's bitchy voice rang in Allen's ears, "Addison, I'm here to learn fighting skills from you again, so for the sake of my brother Allen being so sincere, take us both as students!"
A million expletives came out of Allen's heart at the same time Jerome, the asshole, had screwed him over once again. There was no need to kneel at all to see this lady.
"I think I made it clear that I don't want to take students, so you guys go back." As soon as Addison finished speaking, Allen immediately stood up.
"The ...... lady, I think we met last night," Allen explained.
Addison froze for a moment when she saw Allen, then at Jerome's surprised look, Addison waved her hand toward Jerome.
"He stays, you can go." Addison drove Jerome away like a fly.
"Hey, wait, I've also got the worship gift!" Jerome displayed the red wine in his hand.
Allen snatched the red wine from Jerome's hand, "Man, thanks for the gift you got me."
Jerome's eyes widened, and before he could utter an expletive, Addison kicked Jerome out the door and slammed it shut with a wave of his hand.
In disbelief, Allen stared at the scene as Addison said, "Don't worry. He's been here many times and always goes out like this."
Allen nodded dully, yet Addison’s following comment stunned him.
"You are Allen, aren't you? What's your superpower?" Addison asked.