I'd seen enough movies and TV shows to know what a gunshot sounds like. And when I heard it echo the school hallways near us, it was one of the most chilling experiences I'll ever be a part of.

Without thinking, I started pointing out exits and running to the classrooms, trying to get everyone out as sneakily as possible. The idea was short-lived, obviously, as my panicked classmates raced out of the building. I hid behind a desk and did the only thing I could think of. Draw a transmutation circle on my hands.

Realizing what exactly I'm planning to do, my mind started racing with all the things that could go wrong. I'm not strong enough, it won't work, I-

I heard a student scream in terror. I recognized that scream. Lilly Anaia, freshman. Plays flute, sings soprano in varsity freshman.

Without missing a second, I jumped up and created a bang with the lockers. One of the shooters--I know him, too--turned towards me and pointed the gun. My mind was focusing on a single thought when he fired. Protect, protect, protect. And wouldn't you know it; protect I did.

I opened my eyes and glanced to the left, where the bullet was frozen in place. My gaze turned towards the shooter, eyes about as wide as mine. I used the other hand to pull up my hood, and prepared myself as he shot again. And again. And again. His 'friends' joined in, shooting at me in frustration. But the bullets never hit me.

All of the other students and teachers were gone by the time they ran out of bullets shooting at me. When they ran forward to use the butt of the gun, I transmutated the bullets into a blunt object. Now, keep in mind, I had zero experience with fighting. So when I used the object to knock out their gun and knock the wind out of two of them, I would say that I'm doing pretty good.

After I got all three of them on a headshot, which knocked them out cold, I shifted the metal into handcuffs, cuffing each of them to their own pole. The adrenaline I got from it gave me just enough energy to run outside, where the rest of the student body and faculty had evacuated to. I was unnoticed by all except my friends, thankfully. Five minutes later, the cops arrived. When we were questioned for the news and the police reports, I was still shaken up by the whole thing. I was shaking while doing my gigs, and while making dinner.

We watched the news while eating that night. Apparently, the police had gone through the surveillance cameras and found my grand debut. Sort of. The camera was facing against me, so it caught my brown hair before I had pulled my hood up, but when we were fighting, it was never my face. Then the interviews came. No one had noticed me gone, no one had caught me. I was wearing gloves during the fight, so they didn't find fingerprints to trace me with. I had gone off clean.

The reporters kept asking questions. Who was this? How long have they been in town? Is this an Avenger in the making? Are they here to stay?

Should we be worried if they are?

I stared at my left hand--the one that caught the first bullet, asking myself the same questions. Subconsciously, I looked at Bridgett and stared for a while in thought. She's the only family I have left. I'm her big sister; I'm her guardian. It's my job to protect her. Could I do it by keeping this?

When she looked back at me, I turned towards the TV. "Go get ready for bed. You have school in the morning.", I directed, gesturing to the clock hung up on the wall. She huffed, clearly not wanting to, but obeyed.

I watched the news a little longer. Maybe, just maybe, if I make the streets a safer place, kids like my little sister can grow up in a happy neighborhood. In a happy city. It's not like I'd be joining the Avengers or SHIELD, just little petty crime, like that Spider-Dude on Youtube.

Besides, it might be good practice.

Yeah, I could do this. I could do this.

Now, where exactly to begin?