Heroic Exit Deleted Scene/Alternate Opening (Patreon)

Myths Legends and Dreams is out, as is my wlw senior citizen superhero short story, "Heroic Exit"! It's available here! 

 In celebration, as a treat for $5 patrons, here's a "deleted scene" from the story- I was basically asked to try to write an alternate intro by an editor they bought in at the last minute that was more 'in media res' and adjust the rest of the story so it was that way too. I didn' t think it really worked and apparently everyone else agreed since, they changed it back to how it was before. But there are some fun lines in the alternate intro, so I might as well share it!

Heroic Exit

Caitlin Donovan

“You’re finally getting your TV privileges back tomorrow, isn’t that great?”

“Wonderful,” Ella mumbled at the orderly.

“And green jello for dinner in the cafeteria tonight, I know that’s your favorite!”

It wasn’t, but she didn’t bother to correct him. Mel had a lot to keep track of, he probably had her mixed up with someone else. Instead she forced a smile and said “Looking forward to it.” Just give me the damn meds already.

After a few more forced pleasantries, he finally handed her to pills along with a cup of water. Ella accepted them with a shaking hand and quickly gulped them down Most of them, anyway. She kept the little blue one lodged under her tongue, carefully hidden as she gave Mel a gap-toothed grin.

Satisfied, he stood aside as she wheeled herself to the bathroom and awkwardly tried to maneuver through the door. These damn places were supposed to be “accessible” but her wheels banged irritatingly against the frame every single time. Mel, who had long learned not to interfere and risk Ella’s wrath, waited politely until she finally forced herself in, then closed the door between them. Ella wheeled up to the small, chipped sink and spat violently into it. She unscrewed the drain cap, turned on the water and watched numbly as the blue pill swirled down into oblivion. Her morning ritual.

She looked up at the spotty mirror. The deep dark circles under her eyes reminded her of the mask she’d worn so many years ago long ago. And just like every morning, Ella remembered.  Soaring freely through the sky. The adoring cheers of the crowd as she waved down at them. The rush of her fist connecting satisfyingly with a monstrous face. Joy, freedom, power.

None of those things existed here. No boundless blue, no crisp air, no dazzling city lights below. Just off-white walls, stiff sheets, shiny floors and that endless antiseptic smell. The only people who crowded around her were the harried, overworked staff who forgot her name on occasion.

A sharp knock from one of those staff jerked her out of her reverie. Ah, here she’d gone too long reminiscing and forgotten to let Mel know she hadn’t dropped dead in the last five minutes.

“I’m fine!” She called gruffly. “Just trying to take a superheroic shit, if you don’t mind!”

Mel made a noise of disgust and she allowed herself a small smile. Messing with him was one of the few pleasures she had these days. He wasn’t a bad kid, but he made it so damn easy.

When she finally finished her business, he accompanied her down the narrow hall to the common area. She caught a glimpse of a gleaming sunlight and fluffy crowds through the window and a sharp pang of longing knifed through her chest.

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