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Chapter 11
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Captain Patriot flew twice overhead that afternoon that Judy could see. The first time was during lunch, and the second was on the way home while she was in Denise’s family’s car. Denise's mom squeed when she saw the iconic hero in the sky.

Once Judy reached her front door, she saw a package waiting, partially concealed by the flower pot that was the only outdoor furnishing she and her mom had left in recent days. It was addressed to her mom, but she recognized the sender as her great aunt who lived in southern Japan.

Judy waved to her friend and friend’s mom, who were in the car by the curb, and then she carried the package inside while they drove off. It was soft and light, whatever it was, so she had no trouble setting it on the counter.

Judy looked some more on the internet for costume ideas, but she was unable to find anything that interested her. Also, the package kept finding its way to her mind from its temporary home in the kitchen.

Her mom got home a few hours later, just about the time that they usually ate dinner together. Judy only then realized that she was getting hungry.

“Sorry I’m late,” said her mom. “Business at work got crazy when Captain Patriot appeared. So many people wanted to celebrate. I’m exhausted.”

“I can hardly believe it myself,” said Judy from the computer, which she logged out of properly this time.

“How was your day?”

“It was fine. You got a package from Aunt Takako.”

“Oh, I did? I’m surprised it got through Customs OK, what with all that’s been going on. I’ll have to see what she sent us.”

Aunt Takako liked to make things because she was good at all sorts of crafts and design, and she liked sending things to everyone because, in her fifties, she was a genuine giver. One person like Judy or her mom could let slip that either one of them needed to replace a pillow for their bed, and the whole family received new pillows and bed settings within the month. Judy often wondered how much Aunt Takako knew about her transition from biological male to female, or what she would do upon hearing that Judy needed any new clothing for school.

“Judy, come quick!” called her mom.

She hurried into the living room. The television was on mute, and Captain Patriot was saying something to a reporter. Judy’s mom was hugging a new dress, which Judy guessed had come from the package. It was—

“Beautiful,” Judy said to her mom.

Her mom said, “I don’t know how she always gets everyone’s size right, and our favorite colors. She even knew yours before I did.”

“Oh, yeah.”

“Come on over, I want you to see what she made for you. I think it’s really cool.”

Judy might have let out an “eep.” She never thought she might wear a dress so soon, but she supposed it might have been a matter of time. The idea made her nervous somehow. The mystery of what it really was inside the box made her nervous. She walked slowly to the package and found purple fabric folded neatly inside. When she lifted it, it wasn’t a dress. Oh, there was a skirt that would have gone down to her knees, but this was something else.

There was a dark blue lightning bolt in the middle of the front, and it broke off at the bottom into little hexagonal shapes. The top portion was made from the same fabric as Judy’s bathing suit, and the skirt was made from another soft fabric that ruffled and draped with ease.

Attached by paperclip was a note written in Japanese. “You crazy kids and your endless Halloween costumes. Take good care and enjoy.”

“Somebody’s speechless,” said Judy’s mom.

“I just don’t know what to say,” said Judy.

“I did say ‘speechless.’”

“Would you mind if I tried this on real fast? I’ll be right back.” Judy ran to her room and changed before her mom could respond.

Her clothes were off, and her costume was in hand, prior to the sudden realization that she had no idea how to get this thing on. She examined and turned the costume in her hands. Seconds later, she had it; Judy pulled the costume over her head skirt first.

After that, she smoothed it out with her hands and twisted, turned, to examine the outfit she was wearing as well as to test it. A costume might suck if it didn’t do turns so well, but Aunt Takako pulled through yet again with her crafting ability.

Judy stepped outside of her room and into the living room where she showed herself off to her mom.

“Look at you,” her mom said.

“I feel like I could go save lives with this thing,” said Judy. “I mean, I could save them without it as well, but this costume!”

“Judy.”

“Yes, Mom?”

“I’m afraid I can’t let you risk your life to save countless people you may or may not know. Not dressed like this at least.”

“I . . . Wait, what?”

“For starters your feet need some protective footwear. Maybe after dinner, I can take you to the store to pick something out. And then there’s the matter of concealing your identity. Your hair’s growing out a little, so I think it’s time I taught you how to do your own hair, including a hairspray I found that will help keep your hair from falling out for a few hours while you’re out there. A good mask might take a while longer to produce since everyone and their grandmother is shopping for secret identities right now. If you need something right away, then I can help you make a makeshift mask to last until I can get you a suitable domino mask or better.”

This left Judy in a stunned silence. What could she say to any of this?

“Oh, my baby girl,” Judy’s mom practically squeezed the life out of her with her arms at this point. “I’m sorry, I got so carried away. But I understand, only too well, what it’s like wanting to make a difference out there. Only, now you can. You want to, right?”

“I do. I really want to,” said Judy.

“Promise me something. Two things, actually.”

“OK?”

“First, and I know this will be difficult, please come home safe every night. I don’t want you going out there if it gets to be too much. If I have to, I will find somewhere to hide you until you’re old enough to have children of your own.”

“Mom!”

“Please, Judy.”

“I promise to be careful, Mom. What’s the second thing?”

“Promise me you won’t choose a stupid, stupid name. I would hate to have to hide you until you’re old enough to be a great grandmother, and no one alive would remember the embarrassment.” Judy’s mom stared at her, a sense of humor stretching and curling her lips.

“You got it, Mom. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. Now go change back into your casuals. I’ll make a quick dinner.”

The next morning, more flyers appeared around the city. This time, the news media started to cover them as they were found at the break of dawn. Judy didn’t really tell her mom that she’d intended to try out for the Supergroup, but she wondered if her mom noticed that her book bag was packed more than usual.

Judy went about her school day about as normal as possible until P.E.

“I’m doing it during lunch,” she said to Denise, sitting next to her on the bleachers.

Denise looked surprised. “Going as what, Gym Girl?”

“What? Oh, the clothes. No, I have a costume now. Just no name yet.”

They sat in silence for a time. There was no telling what Denise was thinking, but Judy could hardly contain herself for what was to come in less than a couple of hours. On one hand, it seemed like everything was happening so fast, but on the other she could not wait. Judy had heard the saying “hurry up and wait” before, but this was something else.

Her friend rested her hands on Judy’s shoulders suddenly. “Storm Screen. Pixeletta. Thunder Ghost. That’s the best I can do. Think on it.”

“I will, thanks,” said Judy

“And good luck. Hurry back so you can tell me how it went.”

“But of course.”

“So.”

“Hm?”

“Did you pick out something racy and hot?”

“Denise.” Judy leaned back and laughed more than loud enough to catch everyone’s attention. She didn’t care. Then she leaned in close and whispered. “Faux leather boots.”

Denise made an “Ooh” sound, covering her mouth with her hand.

Judy ran up to the blue pillar of light in one alleyway. She took a deep breath. From what she understood, she just touched and interacted with the pillar much the same way as she did with computer programs while submerged. Except here, it would look and feel a little different.

The boots that she had mentioned fit perfectly to her legs, running to her knees, and they matched the lightning bolt on her chest. For the time being, she used a folded cloth with eyeholes cut out as her mask, and her hair had been rearranged using the digital submersion because it was quicker that way.

She accessed the interface and selected the open house location indicated by the flyer still sitting in her backpack back in school.

In seconds, her consciousness was stolen away by a bike flying through the unknown. Then it stopped without her stumbling from any sort of momentum. Now she stood in a room with another blue pillar behind her, however many rooms far ahead of her, and two men sitting at a table staring back at her.

The man to her left was a big, dark-skinned man in a costume. The other was a shorter man in a tailored suit.

OK, Judy, persona time. Be the new you.

Who was she kidding? Judy was excited by that ride coming into this hidden lair. “That was awesome!”

Dear Diary, October 25 –

Oh, and I have an appointment at Doctor Terrell’s on Tuesday.