Starlight is a series I started writing for fun in 2016, written in the “style” of a comic book. As such, this is not my best writing, but it’s something I had fun doing.
We open on a rainy day, outside a shambling house by the marsh. Inside, a girl is sobbing, clutching herself.
Girl: I’m s-so sorry…
She glances at a picture of herself and a blonde-haired boy in a varsity jacket. Her face cracks.
Girl: I can’t, anymore.
She picks up a knife, quivering. We cut to outside, as thunder cracks. Briefly, we return to the interior, the picture stained with blood.
Cad: This isn’t what I wanted, not by a long shot.
We cut to the exterior of the high school, another day. School is letting out, and Cad is nervously heading towards the locker room.
Cad: After everything I’ve been through? Football sounds like the worst idea ever.
He glances behind him towards Parker, who is chatting while moving towards the same destination. He is beside a blonde haired boy- the same guy from the picure.
Cad: But I sort of owe Parker one.
Cad reaches the locker room, where a bunch of guys are changing. One of them pats Cad on the back as he passes, and the Captain, Andrew, grins at him.
Andrew: Cad, hey!
Cad gives Andrew a nervous thumbs up.
Cad: We’ll see how this pans out.
Cad nervously begins changing into the unfamiliar gear.
Cad: I can’t even remember how half this stuff works.
Unfamiliar Voice: Little lost, there?
Cad looks up to see two guys we don’t recognize- A freckled ginger dude with long, messy hair, and a hispanic dude with short, clipped hair.
Cad:…Is it that obvious?
Short Hair: Unfortunately, dude.
Ginger: Not a big deal. Just flip those around and put those on before you bother with the gloves.
Cad:…Thanks.
There’s a brief silence.
Ginger: …You don’t remember us, do you? Damn, sorry.
Short Hair: I’m Ernie. This is my brother Ewan.
Cad:…Brother?
Ewan: Er, I’m adopted.
Cad: …Cool.
Another awkward silence.
Cad: This is a strong start!
We cut to the school library, where Hunter is finishing up at a computer. As he rises, he is distracted by something nearby: Eliza is cleaning up her things, listening to ranting from the girl who accused Cad in issue… um… I want to say 2 or 3?
Girl: Come on, Eliza. I can’t believe you’re falling for this.
Eliza: He’s different now.
Girl: The Hell he is. He’s just trying to get back in your head because he knows people were starting to realize what he did.
Eliza: We don’t know he did anything.
Girl: He got Abby killed!
Eliza pauses. She takes a deep breathe and turns toward the girl.
Eliza: Meg. You know I miss Abby too. She was my best friend. But… God, this is such a weird world we live in these days. What’s crazier- my teacher getting murdered right in here, a star-powered vigilante literally descending from the sky to stop the murderer, or Cad getting a bad concussion?
Meg scoffs.
Meg: Whatever, Ellie. Don’t come running back to me when he screws you over.
A distraught Eliza watches Meg stalk away as Hunter watches, fascinated.
We return to the football field, where the team is running drills. Parker is sticking by Cad.
Parker: You okay?
Cad: I’m fine.
Cad: The superpowers are helping, at least. Is that cheating? Maybe. Whatever. I’m not doing this for me.
Parker: Nice. The team treating you alright?
Cad: Did you suddenly become my Mom?
Parker: Just concerned, dude. Andrew is chill, but some of these guys can be douchebags.
Voice, Off-Screen: You run like a girl, Ortega!
Parker: Ah, there’s Kenny, proving my point.
We glance over to see the blonde boy running past Ewan, slapping his butt.
Cad: What’s his deal?
Parker: He’s a good dude. Just a bit of a blowhard. You feel?
Cad: I mean, so was I, apparently, so I can’t judge.
The whistle blows. The team clusters around the coach.
Coach: Alright boys, today we’ll be running…
His dialogue devolves into meaningless formulas. Cad blinks.
Cad: I understand none of this.
Coach: …and then we’ll cool down. Everyone good? Good.
Everyone starts to drift apart, leaving a confused Cad standing there.
Kenny: Yo, sleeping beauty, come on! Offense is this way!
Cad: I should’ve stayed in that scary ass lab.
We take a momentary break to cut to FlyCo, where Dr. Evelyn Shropp is watching footage on some monitors of Starlight taking down the Stardust Killer.
Dr. Shropp: Unbelievable. He really thinks this will stop us.
Unknown Voice: Dr. Shropp?
Dr. Shropp turns, surprised, to see a suited man in shades.
Dr. Shropp: Can I help you?
Unknown Man: Yes, actually. I’ve been assigned to your current project.
Dr. Shropp: *frowns* This project is heavily classified.
Unknown Man: So am I.
He takes a seat on a stool, looking relaxed.
Unknown Man: Tell me, Dr. Shropp… what do you know about this Starlight kid?
Dr. Shropp: He’s not a kid.
Unknown Man: So nothing.
Doctor Shropp grimaces.
Unknown Man: Well, here’s what I know, Evelyn… All of this. It was predicted.
Dr. Shropp: By who?
Unknown Man: Have you ever heard of the organization “Twilight”?
Cad: I’m screwed.
We return to football practice, which let’s just say, is not going well. Cad fumbles balls, screws up drills, etc. in a series of awkward panels.
Player: No, Cad! That way!
Cad: Me, Way?
Player: No, you’re going the wrong–
That player is tackled, and Cad winces.
Cut to:
Other player: Wait, you don’t remember how to throw a football?
Cad: It’s not exactly intuitive.
Other player: It’s a ball! You throw it!
Cad: If it’s a ball, why isn’t it round!
Cad: They’re going to kill me.
The coach blows his whistle, and the kids reconvene.
Coach: Great practice, everyone. Now, as for the next few games, we need to talk about–
Kenny: Is nobody else going to say it?
Andrew: Ken–
Coach: Excuse me, Queens? Say what?
Kenny: Way is a joke. No way you’re leaving him on the roster. We’re playing Glendale this weekend. You need your best out there.
There’s a chorus of agreement.
Cad: I don’t know why this stings. He’s right. I don’t belong–
Andrew: Shut it, Queeny!
Andrew suddenly strides to the center of the group, shoving Kenny aggressively.
Andrew: I’m so sorry Way got a little concussed covering our asses during our last game! Is that inconvenient for you? Does that make you scared? Well, tough. Cad is one of us.
Ewan: Yeah, ***face. Why don’t you ever to help instead of whining like a baby?
Cad: Guys, I–?
Andrew: No, Cad. It’s okay.
Andrew places a hand on his shoulder.
Andrew: I don’t care if you need a few weeks, a few months, or a few lifetimes to get back on your feet. You’ll always have a home with the Hawkeyes. We’re brothers.
We cut to Cad getting out of the shower.
Cad:…I didn’t expect that. I didn’t expect Andrew to rally for me, let alone Ewan and Ernie. Maybe this team won’t be so bad after all.
The doorbell rings.
Cad: Hm?
Still toweling off from his shower, Scout opens the door to reveal Nala.
Nala: Caddie. We need to talk.
Cadmus: Um, can it wait? I actually have a lot of homework.
Nala: I don’t really think so.
She steps closer.
Nala: See, sweetie, I’m curious… when did you plan to tell me about this?
She pulls out a newspaper clipping of Starlight.
Unknown (Narration): I am
Unknown: worn weary broken
Unknown: I am
Unknown: dead
Unknown: I am
A cold, gray hand appears on a window.
Unknown: angry.
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