Just Outside Perth, Australia. 8:36 am
“Hello?”
The Womb stood, unresponsive.
“Hello?” The shop clerk asked again.
The Womb remained unresponsive. Staring deeply into the television screens.
“Look mate, I checked the CCTV, you’ve been here all night. You haven’t moved a muscle. I don’t know what you want but I’m gonna have to ask you to leave. If you won’t leave, I’m callin’ the cops. It’s unsettling is what it is,”
“You’ll do no such thing, worm,” shot back The Womb, his eyes darting to the shop clerk. The shop clerk visibly jumped at the response. He had not expected The Womb to speak, let alone turn his attention to him. He had written the figure off as a looney yobbo. The Womb turned his whole body towards the shop clerk, his tall frame overpowering and coupled with the leather outfit, intimidating to boot.
“This is yer last chance,” said the clerk, shaking now from adrenaline and the thought of fighting or flight, “get outa here or I’m callin the cops, don’t even think about coming in cause I’ve got a shotgun in the back and so help me you fackin cu--” the clerk had been moving backwards towards the shop door as he spoke, but just as he had reached the knob The Womb sprang forwards and gripped him by the scruff of the neck, yanking him towards The Womb’s fleshless visage.
“What do you know about these, Champions?” asked The Womb forcefully.
“I-I dunno sir, I swear to god I dunno,” stammered the clerk.
“Tell me,” ordered The Womb.
“They’re a bunch of whack jobs, some of them are just regular joes, the others have got mad powers, some of em can fly, some can turn into dragons and all sorts. They’re a new thing, scientists are still figuring them out, I don’t know any more than that, please let me go, I won’t call the cops I was just bluffin fella, please” the clerk pleaded as his crotch became wet with urine.
“Their are others, no? Villains? They clashed in Japan. There are even some here. Tin Head Ned, yes? I saw it on the screens. Why do they fight?” asked The Womb.
“I dunno, they want power I guess. They don’t like the status quo, they want to see the world burn, I dunno man! I dunno, please!” the clerk was begging now.
“And what do you think about them? These heroes? These villains?” asked The Womb.
“I hate them those bloody bastards, they’re scary! They wreck towns, they’re callous. The Heroes are trying to help, but all they’re doing is enforcing state laws. Some of them even work for corporations. They’re unregulated. The villains are just as bad, exploiting people and extorting them. Enforcing for mafiosos. I’ve even heard some of the biker gangs in Oz and New Zealand have got some in the mix. They seem to be popping up more rapidly as time goes on. There’s no helping it, they’re here now, but I don’t like it. As far as I’m concerned they can rot in hell,” the clerk seemed to have forgotten himself for a moment, and had given a slightly impassioned speech, one that he had no doubt given before in his local pub.
The Womb was aghast. The closest thing he had ever encountered to another being like himself were some of the demons of old. Werewolves, vampires, Succubus, Elves, Dragons and the like. Some he had not directly encountered, but their marks on the earth he had seen for himself. Were these people the descendants of those mysterious folk? Could the children of The Womb finally be showing their true potential? Would he now face some real obstacles on his journey toward freedom for his children? Or would he find allies for his cause?
The Womb released the clerk who fell to the ground, his legs trembling so much they could no longer support him.
“Thank you child for your insights. I must ponder your words and all that I have learnt,” said The Womb, turning to his stolen motorcycle and reaching for the helmet.
Unknown to The Womb, across the road another shop owner had seen the encounter between The Womb and the shop clerk and had immediately called the police. Fearing a biker gang rampage in the area, the shop owner had thought to nip this problem in the bud. Just as The Womb looked as though he was leaving, two squad cars rounded the corner, making good use of the clear roads. They pulled up near The Womb and hopped out of the vehicles.
“Sir, stop there, you are under arrest for intimidation, harassment and assault. You are under suspicion for an altercation on Perth beach yesterday afternoon as well as first degree murder. Anything you say will be held against you you have the right to remain si--” The policemen were stopped mid sentence as The Womb held up his hands to halt them.
“Stop!” bellowed The Womb. The four policemen stopped in their tracks nervously, hands on guns and handcuffs, “you dare to call me, murderer? I, who gave you life? You, who wantonly destroy all that I created? So much so that you would even destroy yourselves? Hypocrites!” Yelled The Womb, his demeanor turning to rage, “Who then, polices you?” he pointed at them aggressively as they stood silent, waiting for the right moment, “Who better than the parent?”
The Womb charged forwards, tackling one of the officers. He was quick, far faster than the officers had banked on. They spun around to find The Womb clutching an officer from behind, and the officer's gun firmly gripped in The Womb’s hand. The officer struggled but The Womb’s grip was absolute.
“What are you to do now?” bartered The Womb, “Choose wisely. Your actions here will be used against you in your final judgement.”