Calling All Heroes

By Q. Dracul

Being a superhero isn’t an easy task. You’re living a double life to keep those close to you safe. This is only made harder when those you want to keep safe are the ones working with you.
Jin Sato, the lead singer of Love Me Death, is the masked superhero known as Kyofu. The only ones that know this are his brother-in-law, Derrick McFail, and his best friend and bandmate, Andrew Layton.
Angel and Jesus Salazar are the heroes known as Glory Dream and Pockets.

Ethan Accorsi is the telekinetic technopath hero known as Beowulf.

Andrew Layton is the lead guitarist of Love Me Death, and the man behind the computer helping the town's superheroes, Revamp.

Derrick McFail is the heart of the group and their healer, knowing each man's identity and trusting them each with his own identity. It's not an easy task knowing who everyone is and being known by everyone when your goal is to keep the city safe and keep peace within a group built on secrets and lies.

What happens though, when the heart of the group goes missing? Will they be able to keep it together? Will they fall apart? Will the darkness that threatens to take over the city be too tempting to some as they do everything within their power to bring back the one person who can keep them all safe and sane?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Q. Dracul
• Release date: Jul 13, 2020
• ISBN: 9780463882368

Q. Dracul

Q. is a professional painter, as well as a writer. They dabble a bit in crafting as well. They are afab and were born and raised in Boston, and reborn in Phoenix. They are still a Bostonian at heart. They write science fiction, fantasy, and horror. They plan on eventually trying their hand at writing mystery. While working on their current novel, Q. is also plotting out their next book.When not writing Q. is either painting, doing yoga, or spending time with their kids. They have been writing since the age of seven and hopes to continue until the day they die.Currently, Q resides in Brockton, MA with their children.

Book preview

Chapter 1

Derrick's Halloween party/birthday party for Jin was well underway with Andrew, dressed as the Phantom of the Opera, playing DJ and blasting Love Me Death's latest album and some other bands that they all knew Jin would approve of. Jin was standing in the corner of the living room, dressed as Red Hood, arguing with Ethan about his costume's complete lack of effort.

I honestly don't see how you feel my costume has no effort put in it, Jin. Derrick's dressed as the eleventh Doctor. That costume is not much different from what he wears on a day-to-day basis when he's not at work, Ethan stated.

Don't talk about Derrick's costume. He wanted to dress up at eleven, and I think it suits him, Jin replied with a chuckle, his voice partially muffled by the mask covering his face. You, on the other hand, are just wearing a t-shirt that says 'this is my scary costume.'

It still works, Jin. Don't bust his chops. Derrick chuckled, interrupting their little argument.

Thank you, Derrick.

No problem, Ethan. Derrick opened his mouth to talk again when he heard the doorbell chime during a break in the song. He quickly turned and made his way to the front door. Oh! Maybe it's trick-or-treaters. Opening the door, he smiled brightly as he was pulled into a hug by a taller man dressed as Thor.

Derrick! The man in the Thor costume and the Loki look-alike standing beside him yelled in unison.

Angel! Jesus! Come on in! He laughed again as Angel set him down, stepping aside to allow the twins into the house.

Sorry we're late. Jesus complained about his costume and refused to put it on.

I wanted to come as Danny Devito. Sadly, Angel refused to let me. He kept saying I'm too tall to be Danny Devito.

Well, it's true!

So what!

Stop bickering you two. Come on. I want to introduce you both to a couple of friends of mine. The three walked into the living room, where the majority of the party-goers were, and Derrick led the way over to Jin and Ethan. I want you guys to meet my brother-in-law, and my best friend from college, Jin and Ethan, he motioned to each man, respectively. Jin, Ethan, this is Angel and his twin brother Jesus. He motioned to each of the other men as he introduced them.

Nice to meet you both, Angel said with a friendly smile.

Jin removed his mask and returned Angel's smile with a shy one. Nice to meet you too.

The five men talked together for a while before Jin excused himself and made his way to the back yard.

Is everything okay with him? Jesus asked, watching after the shorter man.

Yeah. He just gets overwhelmed sometimes in big crowds and has to take a break is all, Derrick explained with a shrug. I kinda forced him to come to the party to get him out of his studio.

You had to force him? I thought this was also a birthday party for him, Ethan said, frowning slightly.

Still had to force him.

Well, he does work himself too hard.

Angel excused himself and went out back to check on Jin. He walked up behind the other man and gently called out his name. Looking over his shoulder, Jin gave a slight nod of his head, letting the other know he could continue talking.

You okay? Derrick said you get a bit overwhelmed around a lot of people.

I'm good, dude. It's like being in college all over again, he chuckled, turning around to face the other man.

Angel chuckled and nodded his head. So, you're Derrick's brother-in-law, huh? Which of his siblings are you married to?

None. He's married to my sister.

Oh! You're Agatha's brother?

Yeah, Jin chuckled.

She's amazing. Where is she tonight?

She had to work late at the hospital. How do you know Derrick?

We've known each other since we were in diapers.

That's cool.

The two men stood outside, talking for a couple of hours about their interests and Derrick.

Y-you're the lead singer of Love Me Death? No way. I'm a huge fan! Angel said excitedly.

Yes, way. Glad to meet a fan. I'll get you an autograph tomorrow. To be honest, you don't look like the kind of guy to listen to hard rock or death metal.

Well, I'll have you know I've been a fan of yours since high school. I think it's awesome that you guys started young and are still going strong.

Thanks. Jin was glad he was still wearing his mask so as to hide the blush that was staining his cheeks.

Chapter 2

Jin and Andrew quietly cleaned up the mess from the night before. The former sporting a pair of sunglasses and a sour mood. Don't ever let me drink that much again. Or I swear I will kill you.

I told you to stop after your third shot, Jin. You cannot blame me. Be happy that at least you're not a rowdy drunk.

Thanks for helping me clean this mess up, guys, Derrick came from the kitchen, bright and bubbly. He covered his mouth and whispered an apology when Jin groaned and grabbed his head.

Please, not so loud. he groaned, wincing in pain.

I'm sorry. I'll get you a cup of water and some aspirin before I start breakfast.

Thanks, Jin plopped down on the couch and placed a throw pillow over his face while he waited for Derrick to return.

Think you'll be up for patrol tonight? Derrick asked, placing a glass of water on the table and the aspirin in Jin's hand. Maybe you should just let the others patrol, and you can take it easy now that I think about it.

Nope. I'm good. Jin pulled the pillow off his face, sat up straight, grabbed the glass of water, and took the pill. The only one that's competent enough to patrol without a babysitter is Beowulf. Glory Dream and Pockets would probably burn the city down.

They aren't that bad, Jin. Andrew sat beside his friend on the couch, taking off his mask from the night before.

That's easy for you to say, Andy. You don't have to work with them as much as I do. They're both so fucking extra. Those two make my powers go off like crazy when they start with each other. Last time I nearly got my clock cleaned because I couldn't sense any danger because of them.

I'll talk to them about it tonight. Okay, Jin?

Thanks, Der.

Derrick patted his shoulder and stood up. I'll go get started on breakfast. You two relax.

Don't need to tell me twice. Andrew got up, walked over to the armchair, lied upside down in it, and let out a heavy sigh. Jin let out a groan in response and fell over sideways on the couch, putting the pillow back on his head.

Chapter 3

Shut up, Glory Dream. The darkly dressed hero's voice held a dangerous edge to it as he slowly walked towards the man in white and gold.

Or what? I'm seriously getting bored with your empty threat, Kyofu.

And I'm getting bored of your stupidity.

Derrick sighed heavily and rubbed his hands over his face. Every night it was the same thing. He'd send the heroes out on patrol, and if it wasn't Glory Dream and Pockets getting into an argument, then it was Glory Dream and Kyofu. Beowulf had begged him to split the group up to minimize the dysfunction, but there was no getting around it. Beowulf was the only one that they all got along well with all of the time. That, though, may have been in part due to his quiet demeanor. Are you sure you won't reconsider joining them on the field, Revamp?

I'm not cut out for that kind of work, Dian Cecht. I can be more useful to the team by staying here with you. Beowulf's idea was good, though. But, instead of splitting them into pairs, just send each one in a different direction.

You may be right, leaning forward, Derrick pressed a button on the console before him and the other man, opening the communication channel between the base and the heroes. You guys are getting on our nerves. We're taking Beowulf's plan of action, with a bit of modification from Revamp.

What do you mean, Dian Cecht? Kyofu and Glory Dream asked in unison.

Beowulf, we want you to take and patrol the business district east of Green Road. Revamp's voice instructed. Pockets, think you can handle the pier?

Of course, I can.

You are to contact Beowulf or Kyofu for backup if you find any trouble, Derrick instructed. Do I make myself clear?

Crystal, he replied dejectedly before taking off.

Glory, take downtown. Kyofu, take the residential area.

On it, Dian. Kyofu glared at Glory Dream once again before taking off.

Beowulf had left shortly after Revamp gave him his assignment. Glory Dream was the last to leave their current location. Dian Cecht, can we get a secure line? Beowulf asked as he made his way to the business district.

Derrick put in an earpiece and switched to a secure line. We're clear, Beowulf. What's up?

"Why didn't you just pair