OverDrive — BURNOUT, Page 30
By finessin_phantom · Published
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Transcript
The bloodied man in the red, white, and black suit is shown crawling and slumped among rubble at night. He says, “AGH--!” then, “...Great.” and “Just great.” Later, inside a room, the woman tends to his injuries as he says, “You know what?” She replies, “Seriously.” and “Just stop.” He asks, “...Suspect?” and “Are you serious?” News text: “NEWS”; “ENHANCED VIGILANTE FLEES POLICE”; “Westhaven Park attack leaves multiple injured”; “Westhaven Chronicle”; “Authorities seek enhanced individual suspected to park fire”; “Channel 12 News”; “Vigilante at center of another incident”; “Police urge public to remain vigilant.” A news broadcast reads, “ENHANCED VIGILANTE INVOLVED IN WESTHAVEN PARK FIRE”; “Authorities searching for unidentified individual”; and, “...witnesses report an intense firefight before the fire broke out. Police have not confirmed whether the vigilante was responsible, but sources say the individual fled the scene before officers arrived...” The man, still among the rubble, says, “I SAVED THOSE PEOPLE!” “He started the fire!” “He attacked the park!” “And somehow I'M the problem?!” He continues, “Every time I put this suit on something happens!” “I get thrown through walls...” “Chased by cops...” “And now I get SHOT?!” “FOR WHAT?!” A sound effect reads, “KRRIP!” Seated alone, he says, “...I didn't ask for this.” “I didn't ask for these powers.” “I didn't ask to be Redline.” “And I definitely didn't ask to be anybody's superhero.” “Nobody's forcing me to do this.” “...So why am I?” The woman walks away as the man lies among the rubble. He says, “Tomorrow I go to work.” “Pay my bills.” “Mind my business.” She says, “No more fires.” “No more monsters.” “No more getting shot.” He replies, “You're tired.” “You're always hurting.” “And for what?” He says, “Somebody sets another park on fire...” and “...they can call the fire department.” Lying down, he says, “I'm done.”
Image description
A bloodied man in a red, white, and black suit sits among rubble while a woman with dark curly hair tends to him, then he lies down alone in a dim, damaged room.
About this chapter
Matthew Banks never asked to be Redline—and after learning that saving people can make him a target just as easily as a hero, he’s beginning to wonder why he should keep trying at all. But when a chance encounter brings an unexpected new friend into his life and a string of mysterious fires leads him to the dangerously unpredictable Ash, Matt is forced to confront what walking away from his powers can cost. As Westhaven burns around them, Redline and Ash collide in a brutal battle neither man may survive. And when the smoke finally clears, Matt must decide what being Redline truly means to him. Unfortunately, Ash walks away with an answer of his own: He knows who’s underneath the mask.
