Superhero Syndrome

PROLOGUE

There comes a time in every man’s life in which change is essential. For Eric Webb, the time was now. It was a summer night in 2007. Facing the window of his bedroom in his house in Glen Clove, Long Island, viewing the alarming thunderstorm occurring on the opposite side, he pondered on the arduous decision ahead of him. This would be a monumental moment in his life. With all the turmoil that encircled his world with every one disowning him since he was impelled into resigning as governor of New York State, Satan offered him guidance. With a human sacrifice of a loved one, Eric would be offered the almighty ability of the utilization of black magic. The more connected he were to the loved one, the more potent his supernatural abilities would be. Although he was unsure of the precise abilities he would acquire, the notion of black magic was hard to turn away from. Especially since he was just a pull of a trigger away from ending his own life. The decision was already made to sacrifice a loved one, and the person he would have profited the most ability from was his beloved mother.

If was effortless for Eric to deceive his mother into coming to his home, tying her up to his bed, but it was hellacious hearing her muffled screams and cries through her taped mouth. He loved his mother dearly and, up until today, would do anything for her; but he could not turn away from the uncanny power that Satan offered him. A war of emotions occurred in his head. On one end was the passionate love he had for his mother. She was the most important person in his life. Although she was angered at him like everyone else due to the affair that ultimately brought upon his resignation, she was there for moral support. She was a wonderful supportive mother as far as he could remember throughout his childhood and adulthood, unlike his deceased father. On the other side, the love that he had for his mother was the key component for the sacrifice. Without it, this sacrifice would be unnecessary. It would be challenging to separate his heart from this devious act he would commit, but the future was too lustrous to turn away from.

At the peak of the roaring thunder rumbling outside, Eric coursed over to the bed in which his mother laid. Fiercely, he yanked the tape from her mouth.

Eric! Mom cried. What are you doing to me?

Just by the simple look at her, Eric wanted to change his mind. This was his mother. The most important person to him. Even more important to him than his ex-wife. But he messed his life up with an affair. No one was there… except for Satan. He offered him the ability to be supernaturally more powerful than the average man, and unfortunately, the cost was the expensive price of his mother.

This is not personal, Mom. This is the most difficult decision I ever had to make. Eric said with watery eyes. Then he closed his eyes and held his head high to the ceiling in prayer. Satan, give me the strength to go through with this sacrifice. I give my soul to you! he yelled.

On the spur of the moment, Eric started to feel an electrifying combust under his skin. It felt as if he was zapped by an invisible force. He could see it move under his skin and feel it though his flesh. It was the demonic spirit possessing him, an extremely excruciating sensation, but somewhat empowering. He maintained control over himself, but the possessing spirit drove him to pick up the knife from the dresser nearby. In time, he allowed the spirit to operate his body, as his arm inched over to the knife.

Eric… do you not know who I am? I’m your mother! she said.

That is the reason you lie here. Satan offers me a great gift for your life, Eric said.

Mom stared at Eric in disbelief. Satan!? Eric, you grew up in the church! Your father was a pastor!

My father is dead! I hated him more than you could ever imagine! He died because he couldn’t handle the fact that I didn’t want to follow his path in the church! I lived life my way and achieved more success than he could ever dream of! I hope God gives you two a front-row seat of me changing the world! It grew more challenging for Eric maintaining control over the raging demon inside.

Mom appeared to be confused staring at Eric. Never in his wildest nightmares could he imagine murdering his own mother, but the sacrifice offered too much reward not to commit. Tears trickled down her terrorized face, as he moved over to the bed with an overhead grip of the sharp knife. He held the knife up high over his mother’s intestine. The possessing spirit pushed for him to thrust the knife straight through his mother, but he resisted the force. For some reason, he would not allow the demon to take his mother away from him. Maybe it was because of his everlasting love and the home that he stored in his heart for her.

You’re going to do this to your own— Eric let go of his control as the demon sent the knife through her, before she could finish her words. He repeated the vicious stabbing motions until her screams ended.

Eventually, Eric regained control of his body. He wanted to cry standing over his defunct mother. His hands cause this. This was real! Seeing his mother’s blood ooze throughout the bed covers was disturbing, but as quickly as he felt sorrow for his mischievous act, the more the fire inside ignited. The demon did not mix well with sympathy, it seemed. He needed to kill his emotion or the pain would increase.

Suddenly and unexpectedly, Eric was forced off of his feet by multiple invisible forces. The pain was too excruciating to keep count of how many demons were possessing him. He felt as if he would die as he dropped to his knees, unable to withstand the pain, then fell flat on his stomach. He could no longer feel any of his limbs. All he felt was a raging fire inside. It was the most painful experience he had ever encountered in his life. It was worse than the pain of murdering his mother. All he could do was hope that it would not kill him.

CHAPTER 1

BULLIED

Maybe life could be worse, but it most certainly could be a lot better. For the past eight brutal years, Robert Smith worked behind the customer service counter of Cheep Prices, a moderately sized grocery store, located in his hometown of Freeport, Long Island. It was his first and only job since graduating high school. Over the years, he grew angry at himself for being content with his miserable job and also for not maintaining focus in school to lead himself to a more enjoyable vocation. His job was second-hand slavery. The cotton that he picked was green and had pictures of dead presidents. He hated his job passionately, but at the same time, he knew that he was privileged to be employed at all. Especially with the recession the United States faced in 2012. Millions of Americans were unemployed, including his father, who was divorced from his mother a year now.

Robert remembered his mother telling him stories of how she and his father came to the United States from Jamaica with just three dollars collectively in 1984. From there, his father was able to find a job in construction, and his mom opened a daycare from the apartment they lived in. A year later Robert was born, on November 8, 1985. His parents were able to take out a mortgage loan of this house he currently lived in after his brother Ron was born two years later. The house was located on the north side of Freeport on Barnes Avenue. It was a three-floor family house with a basement and attic. They lived in the house for over twenty years. They came a long way from three dollars, but times were difficult now. Since the divorce, all the bills in the house has been on his mother. The recession made managing the bills very difficult. The time was now to man up and take more responsibility in the house, beginning with finding a better job. He had a lot of growing up to do, and he would have to fight smoking marijuana to improve his chances.

Yes, Robert did live at home with his mother still, at twenty-six; perhaps this was the main reason why he could not find a woman that he meshed with; Beauty, class, someone who enjoyed his personality just as much as he enjoyed it himself. He believed one day he would find love, but for now he understood that no woman that he lusted for would ever be interested in a man who did not have a car and who had to walk everywhere he needed to go. Or a man who had a crappy job and wore the same clothing in a limited rotation every week. He had to improve himself drastically before he could think of dating women. No woman with dignity would or should take him seriously. In his heart he sincerely believed that he was the second most phenomenal person to ever walk the earth, after Jesus, but honestly if he had a daughter he would not want her dating a man who lacked motivation like he did.

Quite honestly, dating was the least of Robert’s worries. Managing the house was immensely difficult for his mom. He was at the age now that he needed to be helping more if he were living under this roof. His mother’s weakness, just like his own, was that she was too nice. Any other mother that was struggling, if they even allowed their son to live in the house at the age of twenty-six, would at least be paying most of the bills in the house. He was fortunate to have his mother provide him with shelter at twenty-six with minimal rent, but knew he could do better. If a home is not in order, nothing else will be. He was not a real man allowing his mother to burden all that responsibility herself. Most of the time, he felt he was taking advantage of his mother’s kindness. Hopefully, sooner than later, the roles would reverse, and he would be the one providing for his mother financially. His mother deserved a rest. She was a queen who, from the very beginning, done everything to provide for him and his two younger brothers. She was a blessing to have as a mother.

One positive about working at Cheep Prices was that, more than often the female customers were incredibly attractive. Younger, middle aged, or sometimes even older, he loved to admire the elegance of a woman without crossing the line of being perverted. But what was the true meaning of perversion? Was it wrong when the woman you lusted for wore clothing to show off her aesthetic assets? To Robert, the definition of being perverted was getting caught staring. Most of the time due to his stealthy eyes it wasn’t an issue.

Today, it was a humid summer day. On the way to the beach, many customers shopped in Cheep Prices for coolers, ice, snacks, and other necessities for a nice relaxing day on the sands of Jones Beach. A place Robert wished he was to show off his new and improved beach body, six-pack included.

Walking past the courtesy desk, Robert’s eyes locked in on a curvy lady wearing nothing but a bikini in the grocery store, just as all the surrounding male observers. Then in the midst of his staring at the girl in the bikini, Stan, a daily regular customer, walked up to the courtesy counter the same way he did every single day. Stan was the last person in the world he wanted to deal with. He was an irking old man with a bald head and grey goatee. Probably outside of dealing with him behind the courtesy desk he was a nice guy and cool to get along with, but behind the desk was at least ten minutes of irritation every day. Stan found the ultimate pleasure in annoying Robert each and every day. Stan played the same lottery numbers every day and said the same irking and insulting jokes every time. Unfortunately no matter how much a customer annoyed him, he had to service them with a phony smile on his face.

What you doing looking at my woman? You wouldn’t know what to do with that. Probably shit in your pants if she gave you some. Stan joked, slapping his hand on the counter playfully. He had that silly laugh he would let out every time he would tell his half-funny jokes. The only reason they were half funny was because of the way he would laugh at them

Robert didn’t answer. There was something about elder people that no matter how much they tempted him to, he could never disrespect them. Stan tempted Robert more than any other person, sometimes to the point that Robert wanted to take him outside and put his fist down Stan’s throat, but after eight years working behind the courtesy desk and dealing with different personalities all day, two of the main things Robert learned were patience and composure. Without them, he wouldn’t have a job. Plus, he did have a lot of respect for Stan as a person and knew at the end of the day he was only joking.

While Stan filled out his lottery slips, impatient customers began to form the line behind him. Unfortunately the payroll budget was poor, and as a result management could not make a proper schedule, so there were always limited cash registers open. Although the sign above him read Customer Service, he basically was an advanced cashier if you asked him. He handled Western Union, money orders, the lotto machine, refunds, and bottle returns. He partially played a role in security, watching over the general-merchandise aisles in which shoplifters loved to steal from at night. Most of the time the phone rang it was while scanning groceries for predominantly impatient customers who were allergic to waiting on the lines of the regular cashiers.

Honestly, Robert could not really blame most of the customers. Who wants to wait on an express line twelve items or less that was the length of Disney World’s Splash Mountain, just to pay for a few items? The pro out of it all was that he did not have a scale at the courtesy desk, so customers with produce could not pay here. It made his job slightly easier and a bite less aggravating, but overall, standing behind the courtesy counter was incredibly stressful.

Excuse me! Will there be other lines opening up? the middle-aged white woman asked angrily.

Robert was already fed up with Stan’s shenanigans, now he had to deal with agitated customers. Unfortunately, it was his job to kiss customers’ behind all the way to the exit door.

I’m sorry. This is all we have right now. Robert said calmly and professionally. He wanted to say, Stop being impatient, woman, and wait till I get to you! Perhaps with a little flavor of profanity, but it would have been inappropriate.

I can’t deal with this! I should have went to Stop and Shop instead! the customer said, dropping her basket on the ground and storming out the store. A box of toaster strudels and a few apples bounced out onto the floor. Good, she wouldn’t be able to pay anyway; he had no scale for the apples.

Robert honestly could care less whether she went to King Kullen, Pathmart, Walmart, Stop and Shop, or any of the other supermarkets in the area. It wasn’t his job to keep customers in the store; he didn’t get paid enough for that. All he cared about was that he was leaving work in about an hour. Soon he would be free from handling nagging impatient customers and his douche-bag managers who got paid to basically sit in their offices in the back and eat pizza all day concealing themselves from the real line of fire. The only time you saw the managers on the floor was when the district manager visited, and they would force all the other employees to be in super kiss-ass mode so they would impress their boss.

Put my shit in a bag, the unmannered thug said after Robert completed ringing his groceries. This guy was another regular as well. Even when it wasn’t busy, unlike today, he always walked past all of the registers to pay at the courtesy counter as if he had some special privilege. Or as if he were allergic to paying at the regular registers. Usually, every time he paid for his groceries, he liked to speak to Robert as if he were his child.

Robert was scared of thugs, there was no denying that. They imposed this ruffian image that made him uneasy inside. He remembered high school as if it were yesterday. He was without a doubt one of the more bullied students in his 2003 class. Looking back, he lacked the ability or confidence to stand up for himself. He was a coward. Perhaps another reason he couldn’t find a woman of his desired choice. He was pushed around by all kinds of assaulters, whether they were in his grade or below. Whether they were bigger than him or smaller. Whether it was the star wide receiver on the varsity football team or a random peer that found joy out of taking Robert’s lunch money. Whether it was a teammate on the lacrosse team or a random student in the cafeteria, he was one of the number one targets in the entire school. Taking Robert’s money was easier than stealing candy from a baby.

Throughout the entire school, Nate was the more persistent of all Robert’s assaulters. Nate was popular for all the wrong reasons. He was well known for his fights in which he victimized a lot of people, his countless suspensions, and his notorious gang of followers, HURT. Robert tried to avoid him throughout the school days, changing his route for classes, using different bathrooms. It was like hide and go seek. His main ground for hiding was the library, because most thugs did not like to study or read books. Somehow, Nate always found Robert; and when he did, it was not friendly. He was usually always with someone else, and he went out of his way to humiliate Robert no matter who was around.

What’s up, bitch! Nate said aloud for everyone exiting the cafeteria to hear.

Robert didn’t answer. Maybe no one would realize that Nate was talking to him. Instead, he tried to walk around Nate, ignoring him; but he was unsuccessful as Nate grabbed his heavy backpack, pulling him back. Minus the baggy clothing, Nate might have only been a few pounds more of body mass than Robert, but still, Robert wanted no problems with him, or his gang members. He did not want to get embarrassed in front of all the fellow students walking by. This was already embarrassing enough.

Where you going? You didn’t give me my money today, Nate said aggressively in front of Robert with his fist balled up. Robert remembered the last time Nate punched him in the stomach when no one was around. While he was on the ground crying, Nate went into his pocket to steal his lunch money. Robert was not trying to get punched again in the stomach by Nate.

I have to go to class. I can’t be late, Robert said, trembling from his fingertips to his toes.

And there is a fee for walking in my mother-fucking hallways, nigga! Nate said.

I don’t have any money. I spent it on lunch today.

In front of the all the students walking by, Nate grabbed and flung Robert to the ground. His book bag burst open as some of the books scattered around on the floor. This was embarrassment to the fullest. Perhaps it would have been better to lay on the floor and die rather than getting back up.

Tomorrow, before school begins, I want you to meet me with my money by the main entrance. If I don’t see you, the next time I do, I’m going to beat your ass! Nate said, standing above Robert. Nobody around cared to help.

Of course, Robert did not go to school the next day. How could he? If he did, Nate would take his lunch money; if he refused, Nate would humiliate him in front of everyone. It was a no-win situation. The day after, Nate kept his promise beating him up in the boys’ locker room, as he was preparing for gym. He gave Nate the only $5 bill he had after the beating, and it was days like this he wished he did not exist. He was embarrassed to even face himself in the mirror.

Over the years, Robert learned that being a man, it was crucial that he stood his ground against all who disrespected him if he didn’t want to be a victim anymore. He pulled out a few bags and left it on the counter for the thug.

You could bag it yourself, Robert said assertively.

The dead stare from the thug sent jolting fear down to Robert’s bones. He tried not to let it show, hiding his shaky hands under the courtesy counter.

My nigga! What’s wrong with you? Every time I come to this store you give me a problem! he said.

I’m not your slave. You want me to bag your groceries ask me politely and talk to me with respect. Don’t talk to me like I’m a kid! Robert said.

I’ll come back there and beat your ass like my kid! How about that? Matter of fact, what time you get off, pussy!

Robert was more than intimidated by the thug now, but no matter the outcome, he would not permit this guy to talk to him however he pleased.

I get off in thirty minutes! Robert said, matching the thug’s anger.

Instantly Robert regretted his words. Thugs, or anybody for the most part, did not play fair. If they were to lose a fight, they were either getting one of their boys, some kind of weapon, most likely a gun. Thugs were allergic to one-on-one fights. Too much ego to take the loss, walk away and live to see another day. They rather see you dead.

As the minutes ticked away, Robert’s regret increased. He was somewhat confident he could beat the thug in a one-on-one fight, although he knew nothing about combating, except for boxing, and MMA he watched on television. He wasn’t skinny and frail as he was in high school. In the past few years, he built a great amount of body mass and strength going to the gym at least four days out of the week. But what if the thug really came back to his job? If a fight broke out, Robert would lose his job. If the thug brought a weapon, he could possibly lose his life. What if he simply lost the fight? It would be embarrassing. At least he finally had the courage to stand up for himself, unlike how he handled bullies like Nate in the past.

Hi. Which aisle is the coffee in? the female customer asked.

Robert didn’t want to deal with any more customers for the day. He was already paranoid about what might occur after he clocked out of work and exited the building. He turned away from the clock on the wall which his eyes were glued, to an incredibly attractive woman standing in front the courtesy counter. Blood rushed throughout his veins, and his heart pounded rapidly. Wow!

It’s in aisle eight, Robert finally answered, stunned by her mass appeal. Would you like me to show you?

She smiled.

Okay, the woman answered.

Robert’s mood changed from ready to battle, to now a soothing feeling of being in the presence of such a beauty. She wore tight blue jeans, a white V-cut shirt, with white high heels. She has a dark brown complexion, a few shades darker than his; with red lipstick, green eyes, and long silky curly hair that touched her bare shoulders. She seemed to be a few years older than him. Her astounding physique commanded a lot of attention from some of his fellow male co-workers as he walked her to the isle. He hated how unsettling it was being around an extremely beautiful woman. Maybe it was because he didn’t have any sisters, and his father never taught him how to interact with other women. He wished he had it in him to flirt with this girl and get her number, but this was not his expertise. This alone was challenging standing in her presence.

Robert, come to customer service! Robert, come to the courtesy desk! Gale, the manager, said over the intercom, as he reached the coffee aisle with the beauty.

Isn’t that you? she asked.

Gale was one of Robert’s out-of-shape managers that always claimed to be on a diet but would always be caught eating high-calorie meals. She was a drama queen and a control freak that didn’t have as much authority as the other managers did and would stir up as much conflict as she could when they were not around. The best way to deal with her was to ignore her, but sometimes, that didn’t work because she would go out of her way until you gave her the attention that she desired.

Yes, but I’m going to help you first before I go back. Is this your first time shopping here? Robert asked.

Second time. I came in a few days ago, and I really liked the store, so I decided to come back.

Glad you did, Robert thought. Anxiety built up inside Robert. Her beauty was remarkable and distracting. He could not think of any follow-up questions. He had to figure out a way to continue this conversation.

Well here’s the coffee, Robert said walking her to the general area in the aisle. If you want, you could pay for that at the customer-service desk with me.

I have a whole cart full of groceries. I’ll get on line. Thanks, sweetie, she said.

What’s your name, so I’ll know for the next time I see you.

Destiny.

It was a beautiful name that fit her perfectly. As an employee of Cheep Prices, there was a certain level of professionalism he had to maintain. There was nothing wrong with flirting, but being too aggressive or rude was completely unprofessional. She did wear an elegant smile that seemed like an invitation to learn more about her, but there was no way a woman who possessed her appeal could ever be interested in a man who worked behind a customer-service desk. It was time to snap back into reality. She had to be taken by a man who had a lot more than him.

I’m Robert, he said with a gentle handshake. Will I see you again?

Yeah, I’ll come shopping again, Destiny said.

Minutes later, it was time to leave. Robert’s reliever for the courtesy counter, Arnold, came in and counted his regular and lotto registers to make sure they were balanced. When they finished, Robert clocked out of work, walking with his gym bag on his shoulder out the exit. He was prepared for war and was ready for the thug that threatened him earlier, although he would have preferred not to fight. Anxiety built up the closer he walked to the exit.

Going home now? A recognizable voice asked from behind.

Robert turned around, and there Destiny was again! Walking out the door with a cartful of groceries. Perfect timing. He had a feeling that even though he was off the clock now, he still would not have the courage to ask her for her number.

Yeah—I mean no, I’m going to the gym now. Did you find everything that you needed? Robert asked, with an eye behind him for the thug he dealt with earlier. He was nowhere in sight, maybe decided not to come after all. This was still an uncomfortable moment, now with the added anxiety of talking with Destiny.

Yes. Thank you for helping with the coffee. What gym do you go to? Destiny asked.

Goliath Fitness. It’s a ten-minute walk from here in Merrick, Robert said.

Okay, I know that gym. I got a free pass in the mail. Is it a good gym?

Yeah, it has a lot of equipment. Although the name may not suggest it, there are a lot of ladies that work out there as well. It’s not just a gym for colossal-size men. Look at me.

Destiny smiled.

One day soon, I’ll go in and check it out. Do you want a ride there? she asked.

Robert hated to make people go out of their way for him, even when they offered, but there was no way he would decline this. He had a great opportunity to talk to her on a personal level, even if it was only for five minutes, and possibly get her number, which was probably unlikely.

A ride would be nice. Is it out of your way? Robert asked.

It’s okay. I don’t mind, Destiny said.

Robert pushed the shopping cart and accompanied Destiny to her car, a luxurious Jaguar, all white. He wondered what she did to own this kind of car. She probably was a supermodel that he didn’t recognize. Maybe she was in a relationship, or married to a man with an insurmountable amount of money. He didn’t see a ring. Just by looks alone, she could steal any man’s heart. She seemed to be a pleasant person internally as well.

They were now driving a few blocks away from his gym. Conversation was flowing smoothly. Destiny was very easy to talk to. This was a perfect opportunity to at least try and ask her for her number. A woman like her would never be interested in a man like him, but it was worth the try. Not trying at all would have felt a lot worse than if she declined him.

You should work out with me sometime. I mean if you’re free. You appear to be a very busy woman, Robert suggested.

Not really. That would be great. I need a workout partner. Someone to push me in the gym. Give me your number, Destiny said.

Robert was so excited that she asked him for his number, that he momentarily forgot it. He could not believe this was happening so easily.

After giving Destiny his number, Robert gave her a hug goodbye and then went inside Goliath Fitness with an extra ego boost. It seemed too good to be true. Initially, giving her his number, he was doubtful she would ever call or text, but she sent him a text message as he reached the locker room.

‘Hey, this is Destiny. This is my number. Call or text me anytime.’ The text message read.

Robert was a firm believer of the two-day rule when receiving a girl’s number, but this was an exception because she texted him first.

After the hour-long motivated workout, Robert texted her back. They went back and forth his entire walk home. Destiny even offered to pick him up, but he declined. He definitely did not want her to come all the way out of her way. She lived on the south side of Freeport. It had to have been a ten-minute ride from her home to the gym. It was surprising how easy it was talking with her. The text messages ultimately turned into a surprising late-night phone call, in which Robert learned so much more about Destiny.

CHAPTER 2

THE BISHOP’S SON

Being possessed by multiple demons left Eric completely incapable of a single movement. It was a burning sensation throughout his entire body. It was like being a paraplegic lit on fire, as he laid on his bed with the cool air-conditioner chilling his skin. Even at full blast, the air-conditioner only mildly cooled his skin. The burning from the possessing spirits were potent. Hopefully, sooner than later, the pain would become more bearable. Then he could enjoy the wonders of power that Satan had bestowed upon him.

"How long are you going to