Brightest Day (1/2)

“Thank you, Porter, you are truly a lifesaver.” The UN aid worker struggled to speak over the howl of the cold Himalayan winds.

“It's really my pleasure, Dr. Meadows. The Justice League is here to help wherever we can.” Jonah shouted, his voice being almost completely carried off by the harsh environment. “I think that was the last crate. Would you mind if we descended to the village now?”

Dr. Meadows spoke. Jonah could not hear him but assumed he was agreeing to his suggestion. Jonah closed the doorway-sized portal he was maintaining and picked up the final crate that was placed at his feet. The UN representative and a local Nepalese man guided Jonah down the narrow, snowy path that led to the local village.

Porter had received a call from the Watchtower on a semi-urgent summons. A UN installation deep in the mountains of Nepal had gone radio silent after an unseasonable storm had ravaged the area. He was requested to investigate because of Jonah’s unique powers. Unfortunately, the Justice League could only pinpoint the high valley's entrance, so he had to drop his portal in such an inopportune location.

Once they had progressed further into the valley, the wind naturally buffeted by the valley’s shape, Dr. Meadows spoke again: “I apologize for needing your help, hero. Usually, this settlement is self-sufficient. For hundreds of years, they have lived here, only venturing down during the summer months to stockpile supplies from larger cities.”

“So, it's not supposed to be this damn cold?” Jonah shivered; his advanced suit only kept in so much heat.

Dr. Meadows laughed. He was a red-faced man with a receding hairline and a thick Northern English accent.

The local said something to the doctor, who replied in the man’s language. Apparently, they were close to the village.

“The whole reason I’m here isn’t to provide aid per se. I’m studying the effects of their cultural isolation and the strategies that they use to provide for themselves in such harsh environments. My research will be invaluable to the upcoming Mars colonization programs.”

“We’ll see how the local Martians feel about that.” Jonah replied.

“Ah, well, policy isn’t my department.”

“These storms.” Jonah continued. “Were they caused by climate change?"

“That, or some similar process. It could be some great coincidence, but I doubt it.” Meadows slinked past a boulder with tufts of hardy plants growing from underneath it. The further they progressed down the path, the less snow there was to trudge through. “The supplies you’ve brought will be quite a boon to the longevity of the village, but I do hope it won’t be necessary. Preserving the local way of life is part of my mission statement.”

“Whatever you say. As long as the people are happy.”

The trio turned a corner, and the full extent of the narrow valley opened up to them. Jonah could spot the Nepalese men carrying the other crates dispersed through the village. Squat, stone buildings with thatched roofs stood spread outwards on flat terraces up the hills. Each doorway was painted with bright, contrasting colors, and heavily clothed people went about their days.

“The rest should be simple compared to what you do.” Meadows referred to the redistribution of supplies. “Let’s go to where I’m staying. I will make you a cup of nice warm tea.”

“That sounds nice.” Jonah flexed his fingers to keep the blood moving. “I’ll catch up with you; I just need to check in with my partner.”

Jonah sauntered down the village's cobbled streets, following the UN presence until he heard a concentration of noises. Jonah found Hawkgirl by following the sounds of children laughing and talking in a foreign language.

Despite the blistering cold, Hawkgirl was in her usual costume. Her wings were outstretched, and her mace was held aloft. The children surrounding her marveled at the beauty of her wings, the way they fluttered in the breeze and shimmered in the light.

Despite not speaking their language, Kendra entertained and played with the children. She kept them away from the sharp edges of her weapons and other dangers the warrior women possessed. A strong feeling bubbled in Jonah’s heart as he watched the woman he loved with the children. It just looked so right to him. She seemed happy. There was a deep yearning that he didn’t know he was capable of.

Soon after Jonah arrived, an adult called the children away. They waved and said their parting words to Kendra. Many would dream of beautiful hawks that night.

Jonah approached Kendra from behind and placed his hand on the small of her back. “If they knew better, they would be afraid of you.”

“Ugh, your hands are freezing,” Kendra said with a start.

“My hands are supposed to be freezing. How are you not cold?”

“Nth metal,” Kendra said as a matter of fact.

“You’re kidding, right? That’s what you always say. That can’t possibly be the reason.”

Kendra shrugged. “And that’s why you can’t use Nth metal.”

Jonah spun Kendra around, avoiding her now tucked wings. “Dr. Meadows invited us in for some tea before we left. Does that sound good to you?”

Kendra glanced out onto the towering mountains behind her. “Sure, as long as it doesn’t take too long.”

“Of course not.” Jonah took Kendra’s hand in his. “You know Kendra, you are really good with kids.”

“Not more so than any other hero in our position.”

“I think you are underestimating yourself, honey.” Jonah said as they slowly strolled through the streets. There were no paparazzi or photographers here. They could exist in costume with each other in relative peace.

“Agree to disagree.” Kendra deflected.

Jonah felt a nervous pounding in his chest. “Surely your previous lives had kids. So, you have some experience there. Not that you’ve ever told me about it.”

Kendra let out a mournful sigh. It was the byproduct of a difficult decision: to speak or not to speak.

Jonah stopped and looked Kendra in the eyes. “No secrets.”

Kendra exhaled a long, sharp breath. “No secrets.”

“What’s bothering you? Is it something I said?”

“Yes, no.” Kendra took off her helmet and tucked it underneath her arm. Jonah followed suit and pulled down his cowl. “None of my previous lives had kids. We used to try, but we never got the chance to really try. Carter was afraid that he was sterile, or if it was something to do with our…reincarnation.”

Jonah used his non-handholding hand to rub Kendra’s arm. “I’m so sorry to hear that. I shouldn’t have brought it up out of the blue.”

“No. It's just that I never survived long enough to find out. The life of a hawk is one of war and ****.” Kendra was silent for a beat. “Jonah I’ve never made it past my thirtieth birthday before. I’m almost there now.” Jonah let out a shuddering breath “I’m afraid.”

“Honey, it's different now. It’s a different time. You’re a hero, not a warrior. If you want, you can be neither.”

“I believe you. That’s not what I’m afraid of.”

“Then what is it?” Jonah asked.

“Motherhood. I’m petrified by it. How could I be a good mother? I’ve got blood on my hands. I don’t regret my actions, but how can somebody like me raise a child?”

“Oh,” Jonah tried to interject.

“My past lives can’t help me. It’s just like before. When I was just Kendra Saunders. I felt so isolated like I was a freak. I don’t want to go back to that.”

Jonah felt his heartbeat like a tightening vice in his chest. Kendra was taking the words right out of his mouth. How could he be a father? His legs were shaking, not from the cold but from the intensity of his fear. But he had to be strong for Kendra. As much as he doubted his ability to become the type of man who wouldn’t abandon his children like his father did before him, he had full faith in Kendra’s ability to be a fantastic mother.

“Kendra, my love.” Jonah looked into her teary eyes. “You would make an amazing mother.”

Kendra might not have said anything, but the way she squeezed his hand gave Jonah all the response he needed.

“How about some tea, my love?”

Kendra nodded and reset her breathing. “That sounds lovely.”