Advice

"What?" Kara sounded almost incredulous over the phone as Jay extended the invitation, "You mean, join your family for a picnic?"

"That's the idea," Jay said, taking the bag of groceries from the cashier. Mrs. Reynolds had sent him on an emergency food run for dinner.

A strange silence lingered even as he stepped out of the supermarket, prompting him to ask, "You still there?"

"Yeah."

Perhaps it was his imagination, but Kara's voice seemed quieter. "If you don't want to come, it's okay. I'll explain to them."

"No, it's not that I don't want to. It's just..." Kara trailed off, struggling to articulate her hesitance. A "meet the parents" scenario felt premature, but admitting that seemed too intimate, her cheeks warming with the thought.

After all, they had only known each other for a few days.

Sensing her turmoil, Jay quickly added, "There's no pressure. My dad just wants to meet the superhero who saved his life. He's lived in Metropolis all his life and never met a real superhero. He might even ask for your autograph."

So, it wasn't a traditional "meet the parents" situation. This calmed Kara a bit. "Um, okay. When is it?"

"This weekend," Jay replied. "Are you free?"

"Yes," she answered. "I'll be there."

Ending the call, Jay pocketed his phone and strolled leisurely down the sidewalk. He could've zoomed home in the blink of an eye, but he opted for a slow walk instead.

The sun dawdled behind the Metropolis skyline, the dimming sky an endless canvas. The fiery twilight cast long shadows of the buildings, the city's evening breath spreading across the horizon. Streetlights remained unlit, as shadows crept into every corner, lying in wait.

Jay paused in a secluded spot, mumbling to himself, "You said we'd talk soon. I thought we had more time."

"Super senses? Quite handy."

Huntress emerged from the shadows, her presence as stealthy as any member of the Bat-family. Out of uniform, she radiated youthful casualness that barely concealed her toned figure.

"Drink?" she gestured to a café across the street with a smile. "My treat."

A minute later, in the milk tea shop.

Jay watched Huntress savor her drink, the satisfying slurp sounding almost musical. Just watching her seemed to impart the flavor of the tea.

He briefed her on his involvement in the Warworld incident and the harrowing journey with Kara. She listened intently, the level in her cup steadily declining.

After sharing his story, he locked eyes with her, asking, "So, any insights from a national secret agent?"

"You might not believe it, but I don't know much more than you do," Huntress confessed, shaking her head. "I was alerted to the high-energy disturbance in Chicago. Being the nearest agent, I was deployed. Before that, I was unaware of this whole saga."

"Wait, aren't you based in Metropolis?"

Rolling her eyes, Huntress replied, "I don't live there. I go where the job takes me. I might even head overseas soon."

She paused for another sip, then continued, "We've started investigating Kord International Creatives, but don't get your hopes up. The CEO vanished hours before you returned to Earth, traceless. And this 'Quantum Development Department,' including its lead, has disappeared without a trace. There's no record of their research in the company's servers; it's like they never existed."

"No leads? But how's that possible?" Jay frowned. "We saw it with our own eyes, hidden beneath the building! What about the rest of the company? The board? The shareholders? Are they all clueless?"

Huntress shrugged. "Strange, yes, but it seems so. My people are interrogating the executives, and they all claim only the CEO knew of this department. They didn't even know about the lab."

Jay shivered at the invisible chill spreading through the air. As Huntress finished her drink, he voiced his concern, "When my father disappeared, I spoke to the detective on his case. They were ordered to drop it, and it wasn't the first time. What are we dealing with here?"

"Who knows," Huntress shrugged again. "But we'll figure it out. I'll use my resources to investigate. In the meantime," she paused, her tone turning serious, "maybe you should be more cautious."

"Me?"

"Yes, you." Her serious look was like a big sister schooling her sibling. "My superiors are taking an interest in you. They've asked about you—of course, I've kept your secret for now, but I can't for long. Especially after catching a plummeting jetliner in the middle of Metropolis."

"I had to do it. My dad was on that plane, along with so many others," Jay defended.

"I know. That was an emergency, and you had no choice," Huntress conceded, "But what about this time? Your reckless actions, lack of concern for your secret identity—it's as if you don't care. Do you know how much clean-up I had to do after you left? You got lucky this time, but not every impulsive act will have someone to cover for you, got it?"

Her tone rose like a stern elder sister. Jay found it hard to meet her gaze, realizing she might be right.

"As a superhero, you're a rookie. That's understandable," her voice softened. "Just a reminder: someone like you must be extra careful. Every decision, every action, must be measured. You may be invulnerable, but even Superman..."

She let the sentence hang, the unspoken message clear.

Even Superman died. In a world where Superman could perish, what about everyone else?

Jay opened his mouth to reply but settled for a nod. "Thanks. I'll be more careful."

"Good," Huntress stood, patting his shoulder. "Pleasant chat."

Watching her leave, Jay felt a touch moved. Her warning was valid; the world was more treacherous than it seemed. He'd have to navigate carefully. Huntress was kind—and concerned.

His reflection was interrupted by the cashier's sweet smile, "Two milk teas, that's twelve dollars."

Jay: "..."