DISCLAIMER :: This fanfiction is based on Superman from DC Comics. All rights reserved. Art by CWBlaine on Deviant Art.
Author's note: Perhaps it is the start of a new collaborative universe or a standalone project for myself. I don't know, yet.

(( Chapter Theme: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bz2DYae3xKE ))

Awakening the next morning after spending the night on the couch, I was surprised to not wake up with back pain as I anticipated. I made quick work of folding and organizing the pillow and blanket before setting them at the far end of the couch. Thankfully, I could smell fresh coffee in the kitchen. Finding my way there, I was under the impression I would once again be the only one home. Perhaps this was the perfect opportunity to get through some housework that had been neglected the last few days.

Turning around after adding the right amount of creamer to my mug, Madison was standing at a slightly slanted angle with one arm on the back of one of the dining room chairs. I must not have been paying attention because she seemed to have appeared out of nowhere. She was at least dressed with a blue T-shirt, gray hoodie, blue jeans, and her go-to Converse sneakers. About to say something once completing my first sip of coffee, she beat me to it.

“We have a problem, Dad.” She stated.

Finishing my sip, I lowered the coffee mug. “I’d say we do. Why aren’t you in school, young lady?”

She casually shrugged. “It’s May Day. Teacher strike day. They’ve been talking about it for weeks.” She shook her head. “Not the point, Dad. How long are you going to wear the same T-shirt and sweatpants that don’t remotely fit you?”

The comment caused me to take a quick glance down at myself, then slumped. “I’d forgotten I was wearing the same thing since I changed after getting home from the hospital.”

“You’ve been forgetting a lot, Dad. Like how to shower, for one.”

I furrowed my brows at her. “Who’s the parent here?”

“Don’t deflect. After you finish your coffee, will you go upstairs and shower? I’ve got an idea.”

A quizzical eyebrow raised on my face. “Oh? Have a plan, do you?”

“Yes, I do. So, shower for me? Please?”

I rolled my eyes. “If it’ll make you happy, sweetheart.”

She smiled, nodded, then spun around to leave me with my coffee. It’s difficult to nail down the motivations of teenagers, at times. Nothing explaining her behavior would come to mind, save for the fact I really did need a shower and to put on fresh clothes. Her empathy likely picked up on my low mood the past couple of days. Laura and I had gone great lengths to foster those sorts of things in our children.

After finishing my coffee and putting the mug in the sink, I followed the request. Once in the bedroom Laura and I share, the shirt and pants came off and went directly into the hamper. There was always a fresh set of towels in the bathroom, so all I had to do was jump in and do my business. The air moving over my bare skin was one thing. Hot water cascading over it was another. Washing this foreign casing was yet a third. I’d like to think I did my best but I may not have.

After a few minutes, I emerged from the steamy bathroom having washed this alien body and my hair. Unfortunately, I had wrapped the towel around my waist as I had always done and Madison was waiting for me in the bedroom.

“Holy boobs!” She quickly turned her head. “Cover up, dude! Sheesh! Wrap the towel around your chest!”

Darting back into the bathroom, I resituated the towel with an embarrassed blush on my cheeks. “Sorry, Madison. This is new to me.”

She had already left the room. She spoke at a normal volume as if she knew I could hear her regardless. “I left some clothes on the bed. Put them on, please.”

I could, in fact, hear her perfectly. Clinging the towel to my body over my chest, I reemerged from the bathroom and cautiously scanned my surroundings. Madison had disappeared but left behind a collection of clothing sitting on the comforter on my side of the bed. I looked at the collection curiously as I toweled off. I couldn’t tell what all was there, but it sure was colorful. Atop the neatly folded pile was a pair of white tennis shoes. The rest was a blend of blue, red, and yellow. Since when did my daughter wear primary colors like this?

Lifting the shoes off the pile and setting them on the ground, I picked up the first article of clothing: panties. With a sigh and a shrug, I slipped them on. They fit fine, I assume. Next was a sports bra. What was Madison getting at? Having seen Laura put one of these on several times, I slipped it on like an incredibly tight tank top. It seemed a little tight, but otherwise fine. Next was something that somewhat looked like pants but weren’t. Laura and the girls called them ‘leggings’. Slipping them on, I was surprised to learn they fit well. Next was a yellow tank top. Finally, a blue hoodie. Unfurling it, I learned that it was the hoodie we’d gotten for Madison with the new Superman emblem specifically designed for the movie set to release over the summer on the chest. Rolling my eyes, I slipped it over my head. With the provided socks and shoes slipped on, I was dressed; albeit in my daughter’s clothes.

I exited the bedroom to the sight of my daughter smirking at me with a metal baseball bat slung over her shoulders. My surprise was written all over my face.

“Not bad, Dad. Figured you’d whine about the underwear, but you’re a trooper.” She nodded toward the stairs. “Let’s go.”

“Madison, I don’t know what you’re planning. Why am I dressed in predominantly primary colors with your new hoodie?” I wondered.

“Driving the point home, old man. You’ll see. We’re going out to Busse Woods, by the way.”

“Would you mind elaborating why you’re making all these requests?” I was fairly suspicious of her intentions. However, after having gotten the cold shoulder from the family for a full day, I was more than happy to engage with someone.

She didn’t say a word further. She led me through the house to the mudroom, tossed me my keys, opened the door, and waited by the passenger door of my car. I hadn’t touched the navy blue Toyota Camry in over a week. Fob in hand, the doors opened automatically when I put my hand on the handle. She climbed into the passenger seat as I climbed into the driver’s side.

After buckling in and reversing out of the garage, I guided the car southward in the direction of the Ned Brown Forest Preserve. A lot of people just call it “Busse Woods” because of the Busse Forest Natural Preserve. It’s one of the last remaining preserves of old growth hardwood flatwoods left in Chicagoland. It’s a pretty big draw for people in six townships seeking some good recreational areas. From her directions to head down Golf Road, I deduced that Madison wanted us to head over to the Ned Brown Model Airplane Flying Field. My mind remained suspicious yet curious about her intentions.

We arrived and settled into the parking lot about fifteen minutes after leaving. Madison unbuckled and climbed out of the car. I followed suit a moment later.

“Madison, what is this all about? Why are we here?” I finally asked her.

She scanned our surroundings. “It’s a Thursday and, like, nine a.m. Nobody’s here, yet.”

“Why does that matter?”

With one arm out, she gestured toward the front end of the Camry. “Pick up the car, Dad.”

“Excuse me?”

“We’re here for an experiment. Would you please indulge me?”

I continued to look at her with a raised eyebrow and confused expression. What was she getting at? There was no way I was going to be able to lift a vehicle weighing in at nearly two tons. Sighing at her, I bent down and made sure to grasp onto the frame rather than the plastic body panels. With my legs, I pushed upward.

“See, Madison, there’s no way…” The car lifted off the ground as easily as if I were lifting one of the children’s books I’d read to the girls to get them to sleep. With wide eyes, I gently put it back on the ground and turned to Madison.

She grinned at me like an imp. “See? Super strength.”

I was still squatting by the car with a stunned expression when something hit my shoulder and Madison cried out. I spun around quickly. The bat she was carrying lay on the ground with a dent in it and she was shaking her hands.

“Admittedly, I did not think that one through.” She announced. “Ouch.”

“What did you do, Madison? Are you hurt?”

“No, Dad. I’m fine. My bat isn’t doing so well.” She chuckled. “I hit you with it.”

“Why would you do that?”

“To prove a point. See that dent? I smacked you like I was going for a home run. You’re invulnerable, so far.”

“Madison Louise! What on Earth would possess you to hit me with a baseball bat?!” I narrowed my eyes on my daughter.

“Remember when the syringes wouldn’t break your skin at the hospital?” I nodded slowly, so she continued. “It’s because they can’t. The curve of your shoulder dented my bat because I hit you with everything I had. I knew I wouldn’t hurt you, Dad. I just needed to prove it to you.”

“What has gotten into you?”

“Nothing. Something really weird has happened to you and it’s not just that you look like a sister born between me and Hannah. You shot that pillar at the hospital with just your eyes. You saw our skeletons!” She was very animated in her description. “I’ve been hearing about people with powers all over social media. Instagram is full of people showing off. You would think it was doctored until you saw it for yourself.”

“What does this have to do with anything?”

“I’m trying to get you to acknowledge what’s happened to you, Dad.” Tears formed in her eyes. “Nobody else will. Hannah’s in denial and all depressed. Mom’s barely speaking to anyone. Olivia doesn’t know what to make of anything anymore.”

My heart and posture sank simultaneously. I spoke quietly. “I know.”

“Okay, so maybe you don’t look like my dad anymore. The gruff, depressed, but kind old guy is gone.” She sniffled as a tear rolled down her cheek. “You’ve slogged through the mud for so long you kinda forgot who you were. It’s about time something cool happened for you.”

Without thinking, I strode over and pulled my little girl into a hug. “Oh, sweetie… I’m not gone. I’m right here.” It shocked me that my voice came out with the same tone my mother had used in our phone conversation yesterday.

To my surprise, she hugged me back. “Kinda feels like it. You don’t look like you anymore. Everybody’s all depressed like you died or something, most of all you.”

“I’m really going through it, right now, kiddo.”

“I know. Mom made you sleep on the couch. She only does that when you’ve done something stupid.” She sniffled. “I’m trying to give you something to brighten up. I’ll work on everybody else later.”

“That’s not something you need to do, honey.”

“Somebody has to. Otherwise, the family’s going to fall apart and I don’t want that.”

“I admire your conviction, Madison. You’re only fifteen, though. You’re still a kid. It’s not on you, honey.”

She pulled back out of the hug. “Then maybe you need to. Look at me and focus. Try to see my skeleton.”

“I’d really rather not.”

“DAD!” She insisted.

With a sigh, I looked at her. It took a few moments of intense focus, but the blue filter came back like a closing shutter. I could see the outline of her body, her bones, the outlines of her internal organs, and beyond. I turned and looked at the car, seeing the outline of the body with all the metal parts inside.

“Whoa…” I breathed.

“X-ray vision. I told you.” She pointed at the bat on the ground. “Shoot that with your eyes.”

I blinked quickly, dispelling the blue filter and returning the world to normal. “What?”

She didn’t answer, merely pointed at the bat. Letting out a sigh, I tried to focus again. This time, I imagined the bat glowing red with heat. As I stared at the bat, a red filter filled my eyes like a closing shutter of a camera. Once it closed, the bat actually started smoking and Madison shrieked. That brought me out of focus as I blinked a few times before looking in her direction.

“Okay, that’s definitely heat vision. The movies and TV shows are actually pretty close.” She admitted. “Now, blow on it before it starts a fire!”

I cocked my head to the side, but followed her guidance. Taking in a breath, I blew toward the bat like I was blowing out a birthday candle. I could see my breath all the way to the bat like it was an extremely cold day. The bat shattered under the effects of being super heated then super cooled.

Madison laughed again. “And that’s super breath. Dad, are you not understanding what I’m getting at, yet?”

“You’re trying to prove that I’m basically Superman.”

She nodded. “Pretty much. We already know you’ve got super hearing. So that leaves super speed and flight.” She pointed in the direction we had come, toward Golf Rd. “Why don’t you dash to the end of the parking lot?”

Moving around the car, I lined up toward the end of the parking lot. Taking in a breath, I tried to focus. Two little hops, then I was off. The world seemed to slow down the moment I started to run, almost if it were standing still. I glanced around me to see birds almost frozen in the air, squirrels mid ground hop, and the trees not even moving in the wind. At the end of the parking lot, I came to a stop and slid in the grass. The motion of the world resumed.

“That’s super speed.” I heard Madison say at conversational volume. “If you can hear me, jump toward me.”

Feeling sheer exhilaration, I bent my knees and really put in some effort. I shot into the air in a way I’ve never experienced before. The arch of my trajectory was toward my daughter but the height of the jump is the highest I have ever been above the Earth without being atop a tall building or in an airplane. Frankly, it scared me. I flailed a bit, experiencing self-preservation like any sane human. I didn’t realize I had closed my eyes until I just stopped moving. Confused, I opened my eyes again to find myself about thirty feet away from Madison but about sixty feet in the air. I was hovering. Madison’s smile has never been larger.

“My dad is freakin’ Superman!” She shrieked.

By jove, she was right. Somehow, she knew. Fascinated by my situation, I wanted to test the limits all the sudden. Taking in a breath, I was nervous. Slowly, I willed myself up a few feet. Mind-blowingly, it happened. Then, back down and I went downward. Side to side. Forward and back. All of it worked.

“Go for it, Dad.” Madison whispered.

Taking in another breath, I gave her the first smile I’d given anyone since the other night. By simple thought, my trajectory changed to straight up. I don’t know why I put my fist out in front of me like I did, but it seemed like the thing to do. The wind rushed by my face at a speed I couldn’t calculate. The hoodie and my hair responded to the forces. Shifting to a lateral trajectory, I could now see the ground. I wasn’t quite at cloud level but pretty close. Chicagoland rushed by underneath me. This must be why Peter Pan never wanted to grow up. With a giant smile on my face, I kept my body straight and put my arms out beside me like they were wings and just… flew.

Everyone has those dreams where they’re flying. They remember the exhilaration and intense hit of dopamine to their brains. I’m here to tell you that feeling doesn’t come close to the raw exultation of doing it for real. Angling my arms a bit further backward like some kind of high tech fighter jet, I willed myself to go faster… and I did. My heart skipped a beat and I flew over Michigan faster than I ever have. Banking beforehand, I turned around just before Detroit and headed back. I went even faster. Behind me was a loud ‘crack’. The wind rushed past me so fast it barely registered to me.

Within seconds, I was over Lake Michigan and once again back in Chicago. The city whizzed by underneath me so quickly I almost hit Willis Tower without intending to. Willing myself to slow down as I headed Northwest, dodged around O’Hare, and came back around toward Busse Woods to meet back up with Madison. Moving my arms forward seemed to help me visualize slowing down. Before I knew it, I was back in that classic pose with one fist forward. One problem: how was I supposed to land?

There was a thought in the back of my head about how the movies always showed someone who could fly coming in for a landing. None of them helped. I flipped my body so my feet went first and the ground grew closer. When my feet actually hit the grass, I was just traveling too fast and went tumbling end over end. My body rolled right past Madison and continued on for another ten feet before I came to a stop in the grass, laughing.

Madison ran up beaming from ear to ear. “How was it?”

“That was single handedly the most exhilarating experience of my entire life.” I managed to say after laughing at my own folly. “I’ll have to learn how to stick the landing, but Detroit looks nice this time of year.”

“You made it all the way to Detroit?”

“Almost. I turned around just before I got there.” I rolled over and stood up, brushing off the debris from my less-than-graceful landing. “You were absolutely right, kiddo. About everything.”

Madison smiled. “Glad to see you having some fun, Dad.” She paused for a moment. “You know what this means, though, right?”

“Not really following.”

“It means you could be a real life superhero. You’ve got the powers. You just need the tights.”

I held up a finger. “I think I’m gonna draw the line at tights. There is probably going to need to be a lot of practice, too. What if I hurt someone?”

“Well, I mean, superheroes kinda beat up bad guys, so… that’s probably part of the package.”

“I’ll leave fighting as a last resort. Besides, I’m terrible at it.” My eyes scanned the park, hoping we were still alone and no one saw my display. Finding none, my eyes turned back to my daughter. “What made you want to encourage me?”

“For one, all the depression stuff. For two, do you remember the first comic book you ever gave me?”

I nodded firmly. “Like it was yesterday. Kelly Sue DeConnick’s take on Captain Marvel from 2012, issue #1. You were seven and not quite sure you were ‘the right kind of girl’. I wanted you to see a diverse way to be who you are, honey.”

“Did you read it?”

“Of course I did. I gave you my copy.”

“That’s why I encouraged you, Dad.” She took a breath and stuffed her hands in the pockets of her hoodie. “When I saw the things you could do and what happened, I figured you’d brush it aside like some dream. You needed to know for sure it wasn’t. Maybe it’ll give you something to hold onto while all this crazy family drama plays out?”

I smiled like a proud parent. “Look at you being all noble.”

“Bah ba-da bah-bah… BUM, Bum, bum…” She shot me a cheeky grin as she sang the melody of the iconic John Williams score.

Laughing, I shook my head. “Goofball.” I shrugged. “You hungry? I feel like pizza.”