Arena Mode by Blake Northcott Read Free Book Online Page B

the hardwood floor that led to the basement. “This is where the initial attack took place. We’re now going to show you some exclusive footage of the attack, which was captured by several security cameras. Please be aware that what you’re about to see is very graphic, so sensitive viewers may want to leave the room.”
    The simulcast cut to Lewis, slouched over a bar in the crowded tavern, clutching a massive beer stein that looked like a shot glass in his enormous hand.
    Pittman suddenly appeared behind him, jamming the long gold trident into his lower back.
    Lewis stood too quickly, hitting his head on the ceiling as he turned. When he bent forward, Pittman slashed downward, dragging the three-pronged weapon across the right side of his face.
    Streams of blood poured from the lacerations, and Lewis clapped his hands over his damaged eye. He toppled over and flattened the bar, as well as several unsuspecting bar patrons.
    Panic ensued. Customers screamed and elbowed each other as they frantically ran towards the exits, spilling out of every available door and window.
    Pittman continued his assault, repeatedly stabbing his victim in the stomach and chest. Lewis retaliated with a swinging backhand that sent his attacker sailing across the room. Pittman fell awkwardly, bouncing and rolling along the floor as he collided with overturned furniture.
    Then something incredible happened: Lewis grew. His muscles expanded, becoming thicker and more vascular. He became even taller, until he was completely doubled over, with the small of his back pressing against the ceiling. Unable to withstand the pressure, the roof gave way and Lewis stood up, bursting through the top of the tavern.
    A different security camera caught the final moments of the altercation. Lewis wrapped his hand around his attacker’s waist, lifted his limp body, and threw him headfirst at the floor – as if he was spiking a football after a touchdown. In an explosion of wood and tiles, Morgan Pittman disappeared into the darkness of the basement, completely out of view. If he wasn’t dead as a result of the thunderous backhand earlier, he certainly was now.
    The reporter appeared back on-screen. “Pittman, a self-proclaimed superhuman, often boasted about his ability to psychically control all forms of marine life on his blog, ‘The Poseidon of Pittsburgh’. No word yet on how he planned on using this alleged power in the middle of the Arizona desert.”
    “No assault or murder charges will be filed against either party,” the reporter concluded. “In accordance with the laws of the state of Arizona, an attack against a superhuman is not considered illegal, and Mister Lewis will be released pending a medical examination.”
    When Pittman traveled across the country to confront Lewis, he must have known about the state’s well-publicized Proposition 28-B: ‘Limited Liability for Assault on Superpowered Beings’. Since Arizona was one of fourteen states that did not recognize superhumans as actual humans, their rights were extremely limited: they couldn’t vote, own a firearm, and assaulting (or even killing) one of them was not technically breaking the law.
    Open discrimination against superhumans was often reserved for online forums and political rallies, but it was nothing more than talk; meaningless bluster, fueled by bigotry and ignorance. There were no recorded cases of an attempt to physically assault a superhuman within the United States until Morgan Pittman’s failed attack. Partially because there were so few who lived openly, and partially because no one had been stupid enough to attempt it.
    Peyton’s eyes were filled with terror, hands covering her mouth.
    Until now we’d seen examples of superhumans displaying their abilities – running fast or lifting heavy objects – or in the case of Sergei Taktarov, taking flight. In actual combat, these powers were simply theoretical until now.
    Watching someone die at the hands of a superhuman