The Last Leg.

[Stern]

Stern hauled himself up and light jumped as far as he could see.

He kept the goggles on his eyes until he could put out his light. Then he started looking around. C2. Not bad.

Now he just needed to find a way out. His right arm hung uselessly. He was tired of breaking bones. He'd also have to light jump out of the sewer. He wouldn't be climbing any ladders.

[Dallas Walker]

The world spun as he got to his feet...stumbling around, he quickly found the pipe. Now to find the kid.

Dragging the pipe along the wall, he continued to hum to himself, this time saying the words. Emphasizing each phrase with a smack of the pipe against another, letting it echo through the entire sewer.

"One for sorrow," CLANG!
two for joy," CLANG!
three for a girl," CLANG!
four for a boy," CLANG!
five for silver," CLANG!
six for gold," CLANG!
seven for a secret never to be told," CLANG!
"eight for a wish," CLANG!
"nine for a kiss," CLANG!
"ten for a time of joyous bliss." CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!

" Come out, come out where-ever you are."

[Stern]

Stern held his arm as still as he could. Any small twitch caused him pain. At least he wasn't seeing stars for it. Not yet, anyway.

Stern needed to focus. He could hear the clanging even from that far off. He couldn't make out what the guy was saying, but his voice was a faint mumble in between the staccato ringing.

He looked up. Nothing. Somewhere along these sewer ways there had to be a drain or a manhole or something.

[Dallas Walker]

The clanging got louder, the voice angrier, a shout above the metal hitting metal sound. Getting closer.

"Come on Buttercup!!! You can't hide forever!!"

[Stern]

Stern broke into a full run, jarring his arm and causing ripples of pain extending into his chest.

The pain was nauseating and there was no sign of an exit in sight. He needed to find the light. Any light.

He scanned the area and noticed that across the way it was brighter than usual, but only by a fraction.

Unfortunately, when he thought about it, it was several meters back the way he came. He overshot the opening when he light jumped.

With his head finally swimming from the pain, Stern couldn't focus on the light jump. He also didn't want to risk running into that madman again. He'd have to run and hope he made it.

He broke into a fast, long stride and prayed that he could keep his arm still enough that he pain wouldn't knock him out before he got there.

[Dallas Walker]

The noise got louder and louder still, only a few meters away. It stopped as Dallas stepped into the little patch of light, twirling the pipe like you would a baton. He grinned at the boy who was rushing right for him...

[Stern]

Stern could see it. Through the storm drain he found the source of the light. From his angle he could make out the base of the lamppost lighting the city street.

Stern let go of his arm and improvised his goggles onto his face. Once they were set he held his arm again. Stern's ambient light returned and suddenly he melted away into a sphere of light. Then he was gone.

When he materialized under the lamppost he could hear screaming curses through the grating. Stern grinned and winced because of the pain in his shoulder.

It had been a long night. The sun was starting to peek over the horizon casting his shadow in the direction he wanted to go.

Stern began forming the ideas in his head as he arranged his next jump. Thousands of miles overseas. JFK airport. He'd been there once before. He formed the image in his mind.

Once he got to JFK it was just a matter of time before he could visit Anita and drop out of the sky. JFK, Anita, then he would find the guy who ruined everything. Neutron. The mutant radical who had made his life hell and caused so much more pain to people who didn't deserve it.

JFK, Anita. JFK, Anita.

As he repeated that phrase in his head he started to form a mental picture of Anita. She was sitting at the table at the Bacon Barn. Waving to him out of her car. Standing on a balcony in his dream.

JFK. Anita. He glowed brilliantly and disappeared from the continent of Europe.

Michael Stern was going home.