Siren

4 The Test

Gertrude had had the motive for years, now she had the means, all she needed was the opportunity. While she waited for another situation like the bank to pop up she worked on the conundrum of a mask to wear. The rest of the suit was easy. It was clothing like any other save that she could make it appear on or off whenever she needed it. The mask was a problem. So far she had found a ski mask, but that ruined the aesthetic of everything else which was sort of the point. There were normal face masks in any design you could ever want thanks to the plague warnings of the past few decades but those were common and easily seen through. She needed something that would protect her identity. Perhaps a masquerade type thing, or maybe go full luchador? For the moment she simply got a large bandana and tied it around her head then cut some eye holes in it. With everything provided for except the catastrophe Gertrude was forced to succumb to her mother's wishes and go job hunting.

She visited business after business and though she had to admit that she could have done a number of the jobs, none of them fit her skillset. Her mother had set her up for interviews in her own industry and therefore out of Gertrude's expertise. Why on earth would she want to be a hair stylist and she was so bad at the work that no one in their right mind would hire her. At least it was better to explain to her mother that she had tried and failed than that she hadn't tried at all, but the conversation was getting old.

To keep her mind off of her employment situation Gertrude visited the gym even more frequently than normal. Every time she entered the building she would first go to the boxing ring, to make sure that it was free for her to use, then beat the tar out of a bodybag for at least fifteen minutes. He wasn't there. What she really needed was some kind of sparring or martial arts training, but that could get expensive, especially when you were already a black belt twice over like she was. No job, no money, no martial arts. If she only had someone like a big burly kindhearted bear to spar with it would be something, or if she could run into another break dancing jiujitsu thief. But since she had no control about the whereabouts of unsavory characters she had to settle for pummeling a bag that did not even have the decency to ask her if she was alright.

She wondered if he was doing alright?

Gertrude sighed and gathered up her things. She had to head to the shops before going home and it was late enough that half of them were closing. She walked out the doors and found that Woolworths was the only thing left open. She didn't have much money to spend but needed to eat. Curse those biological needs. Maybe she could get something to cook for Samantha as well. Goodness knew she owed her.

Gertrude meandered the isles of the store picking out simple rice and chili. She couldn't get much more than that or it would stretch the limits of her cooking ability and her wallet. After draining what little was in her bank account she hefted the bags of food that now seemed much smaller than they should. Gertrude set her jaw and walked out into the deepening gloom. The sky was overcast and the air muggy. It felt colder than usual for May, but Gertrude wouldn't be out much longer.

She trudged her way along the path to the train station, bouncing as she walked in an effort to stay warm. As she scanned her pass and climbed toward the platform she heard a voice cry out from below. She stopped in her tracks and listened.

"Shut up," a voice hissed out the tunnel under the tracks. "No one's coming to help you."

Gertrude retraced her steps and peered down the tunnel. A harsh orange light illuminated a shadowy form towering over a cowering one. Gertrude saw the flash of a knife and openly gaped. It was time.

She set her bags aside and activated her bracelet. Beneath her clothes she felt her suit constrict around her. Something smothered her face and for a moment she started to panic before she remembered it was a mask. She could still see. She could still breathe. The voices below had stopped. Had they heard her?

"Give me the key," the voice demanded and then there was a thud and a whimper.

Gertrude had to be fast. She stripped off her clothes and left them with her groceries then stepped into the tunnel in her super suit ready for her first real test. A woman huddled on the ground, crying while a man with a mask covering his mouth and nose stood over her with a knife. The man looked at Gertrude then shook his head as if to clear away the sleep from his vision.

"Turn around and go the other way," the man warned and flashed his knife toward her. "This way is shut."

"It doesn't look shut to me," Gertrude answered, taking a step closer. She smiled and felt safe behind her mask. "It looks to me like someone else needs to go or I'll be introducing them to the pavement."

"Listen, chicky, just get out of here before I have to hurt you." The man advanced a step on her, but Gertrude stood her ground.

"A big guy like you? You don't stand a chance." Gertrude answered and realized that what she had said was true. He had close to twenty centimeters on her and easily thirty kilos, but she didn't care. He was everyone who had told her she was too small, too weak, too dainty and pretty to succeed.

The man swiped at her with the knife half heartedly, hoping to scare her and Gertrude leaned and hit him hard on the elbow. She didn't want to get too close to that blade even if he wasn't trying to hurt her. A stab wound was a stab wound, intentional or not.

The man growled in pain, but that's all it was. There was no leverage for an injury in her blow. He pulled his arm back sharply and Gertrude felt the blade rush by her head. A few strands of her hair fell to the ground and she silently cursed that she hadn't thought to tie her hair back. Her element of surprise was gone and she was facing a weapon. She had to be careful.

"I already called the police," Gertrude lied and wondered why she hadn't.

"We better make this quick then," the man said and rushed at her. Gertrude swung, but he no more than grunted as he took the blow and wrapped his arms around her. "You're gonna regret playing hero," he whispered in her ear.

"I'm not playing." Gertrude stomped on his foot and elbowed him in the gut as she broke free. He grimaced and brandished the knife between them as Gertrude faced him again. He was right, she had to be fast or it was only a matter of time before that blade caught her. She tapped her bracelet and saw the man do a double take as she kicked him in the jaw.

Gertrude grinned as he slid down the wall of the tunnel and crumpled to the ground. Who knew that exposing just her arms and legs could have that much of an effect? Maybe this hero thing was actually going to work. The man groaned and shook his head, but Gertrude punched him solidly and he fell limp. Gertrude kicked the knife from where it had fallen across the path and it clattered down a drain. She jumped and laughed out loud before noticing the woman that was rising to her feet on the far side of the tunnel.

"Are you alright, miss?" Gertrude ran to her, enjoying the feel of the cool air on her skin. The woman blushed and looked away.

"Yes, I'm fine," the lady stammered.

"What was he after anyway?" Gertrude asked. "Some sort of key?"

"Would you mind putting some clothes on first?" the woman asked.

Gertrude looked down at herself and saw that her torso was completely naked. All she had covered were her arms to the shoulder and her legs to her upper thigh. She squealed softly and touched her bracelet. The rest of her clothing disappeared save for her mask. "I'm going to kill her," Gertrude said and ran back the way she had come. After a few more exploratory buttons she was able to regain some sense of modesty, but it was too late. She wasn't going to go back and question the victim. Not after... Better to just get dressed and catch the train before the police arrived. She couldn't imagine another meeting with Craig.

She pulled her clothes back on and heard the woman's footsteps going the other direction. After dressing she dismissed her costume completely and climbed the stairs to the platform. Now that the action had stopped her sweat dried cool against her skin. The air was thick as the night grew chill. On the platform across from her the woman from the tunnel paced and jabbered on her phone.

As the train pulled in and Gertrude stepped off the platform she saw flashing lights and heard the blare of sirens. A different Siren had come tonight. The police wouldn't have to find a fled thief or patch up a victim. Best of all, Gertrude would not be anywhere near them. She would only be a rumor. She thought of the look on that thug's face. Shock and desire. Gertrude had never been comfortable with the way men looked at her, but this time, this time it was for a reason. This time their leering was their downfall.

A smile played on her lips as she sat in the train and put her groceries next to her. She could get used to this. For once in her life she was in control. For once she was not powerless. She grinned and leaned back as the train stopped at the next station. The doors squealed and hissed as they opened then closed again. Footsteps approached her and she cracked her eyes open.

"You look like you're doing better, Miss Bad Day."

Gertrude turned around and falling into the seat across from her was the man from the gym. "So much better today, thank you." Gertrude opened her mouth but it took a moment for any words to come out. "I never got to thank you."

The man shrugged and smiled, his ginger scruff bunching in his dimples. "No need, I... I don't want to sound like a creep but I've noticed you a few times and, well... I have two ears if ever you need one."

"I remember how nice your ears are." Gertrude stopped and shook her head. "I mean you were good with me." She felt a flush rising in her cheeks. "I mean you listened to me." She took a deep steadying breath. He smiled in an amused sort of way but there was no mockery in it. "I never got to find out your name, which you don't like."

"Yeah, that." the man said. "Well, we'll have to see whose is worse." He stood, crossed the aisle, and offered his hand. "I'm Dewy."

"Dewy?" Getrude echoed and shook his hand. His hand enveloped hers as if she was a child, but it was warm and firm. "That's not so bad."

"Dewy Cornog." The man said with a tight lipped smile.

"Oh," Gertrude hid a smile, "well I'm Gertrude."

Dewey raised an eyebrow.

"Gertrude Purvis."

Dewey let slip a strangled chuckle. "Okay, you win."

His effort at keeping a straight face made Gertrude smile then they were both laughing as the train pulled to a stop. "This is my stop," Gertrude said between bursts of laughter and collected her grocery bags.

Dewy grabbed the last two for her and handed them out as she stepped out onto the platform. "See you, Gertrude."

"Bye, Dewey." The doors slid shut and Gertrude watched as the train continued on. Maybe she didn't mind her name so much when he said it. A shiver ran through her that had nothing to do with temperature. The train disappeared down the tracks and Gertrude finally moved. She felt like a fool standing and smiling into the empty nothing where a train had been, but tonight she figured she was allowed to be a bit of a fool. It had been so long since she felt she had a reason for it. Heaven knew she was a fool most days but today she had earned it. She turned to walk back home but couldn't wipe the smile from her face. After all, love makes fools of us all.

She stopped. Where had that thought come from? Love him? She barely knew his name. Gertrude shook her head. She didn't need love to become a fool. She was perfectly proficient on her own. And so on and on her feelings waged war inside her as she walked down the dark streets to her flat. Foolish, then happy, then guilty about being happy, then angry that she had felt guilty, then nonchalant, then back to foolish and happy in circles. Was it even possible for her to be happy without all the shame and fear and anger that went with it? All her life she had been taught by those around her and by experience that if she was happy then there must be something wrong. And she couldn't deny that there were some things definitely wrong with her current situation, but did that really mean that she shouldn't be happy about all that was right?

"You're looking very lovely tonight Ms. Gerty."

Gertrude fell into a fighting stance and glared at Gene. Wait, Gene? There was her neighbour leaning out his window.

"Sorry you startled me. And please don't call me Gerty." Gertrude felt bad for even mentioning it. Gene was only trying to be friendly after all.

"Sorry Gert, it's just been a while."

Gertrude grit her teeth. "Ive been busy."

"You should come over for a movie night or something."

"I don't think so, Gene."

"You could bring Sammy. We could watch the latest Star Wars. I'll make popcorn."

Gertrude opened her mouth to snap out a rejection, but the earnest look in his eyes calmed her a bit, in spite of his eyes wandering away from her face and across her body.

"Not tonight." She turned and unlocked the door to her flat. "Maybe some other time."

"You've been more than busy lately. You seem anxious. Is everything okay?"

"I'm fine actually," Gertrude looked back at Gene and sighed. "Better than I've been in a while. Thanks for caring." Maybe she didn't give Gene enough credit. He really was a nice guy. She still didn't want to have the relationship with him that he wanted but he was a good friend. "I'll talk to Sammy about a movie night, okay."

"Okay," Gene replied, grinning ear to ear. He cocked an eyebrow and did a double take. "You've got something on your leg there."

Gertrude reached down and felt fabric coming out of her pant leg. She pinched it and had to contort her leg a bit to adjust for the weight of her groceries. The cloth slipped free and she bit her tongue. She had her panties in her hand.

"Thanks," she managed to squeak out.

"You're welcome?" Gene asked, or answered.

"Good night Gene."

"Good night Gert."

Gertrude clenched her jaw, let out a controlled breath, and turned away. He meant well. She closed the door behind her and groaned. Samantha's head popped out of the bathroom door with a tooth brush hanging from her mouth.

"What'sh up?" Samantha said with a slurp.

"Gene caught me off guard." Gertrude admitted. "Now he won't let up until we have a movie night with him." Gertrude pouted apologetically. Samantha retreated into the bathroom to rinse and spit before answering.

"It might be fun. Could I invite Craig?"

"I barely got him to agree to you being along, but I would love Craig to come. I don't want to be alone with Gene."

"Don't tell me you're scared of him," Samantha laughed as she strode into the living room and sat on the couch in her singlet and pajama pants. "If you don't want to give him the wrong idea then maybe you shouldn't be taunting him with those."

"Scared? No, I just...," Gertrude realized she was still holding her panties. "This isn't what it looks like. I... I don't want to have to hurt him, you know." Gertrude put her bags of groceries on the counter and tossed her underwear into her room but sat beside Samantha instead of putting any of it away.

"You mean emotionally or physically?"

"Both," Gertrude laughed. "I swear if I hear Gerty or Gert from that pudgy face one more time..." She growled in frustration then laughed because there was nothing else to do.

"You're not upset. I see that smile," Samantha cajoled. "What else happened tonight?"

Gertrude opened her mouth to answer but hesitated. What did it mean that she wanted to tell Samantha about Dewey before she thought about her fist super hero moment. Besides, she had hardly said a few words to Dewey, there was nothing to tell.

"I stopped a mugging tonight."

Samantha sat bolt upright. "In your suit?"

Gertrude nodded. "And thanks for messing up the controls by the way. I totally embarrassed myself."

"That explains the panties... Isn't the embarrassment kind of the point? I'm only sad I wasn't there to see it."

"Only the parts I want to are supposed to disappear," Gertrude hit Samantha with each syllable. "I wanted to get his attention with arms and legs, but instead those were the only things covered!"

Samantha covered her mouth in shock, but it wasn't enough to hide her smile. "But it worked. Did he lose his mind?"

"Right before I kicked his face in," Gertrude grinned and laughed. She bit her lip, not knowing how to express how it had felt.

"Look at you," Samantha grinned and nudged her. "Showing off your body for the greater good."

"If I didn't have a mask on I would kill you for telling me to do this, but... Thanks Sammy."

The two of them grinned and giggled as if they were back in secondary school. "You look happy," Samantha commented as silence settled.

"I feel happy. I feel free."

"Well yeah," Samantha reached over to tug on Gertrude's sports bra. "You gotta let the girls out sometime. I don't think you've brought a man home since... Since we got out of uni. That's a long time."

Gertrude smirked. "When I find one you will be the first to know." She thought of Dewey, but he didn't count. Not yet. Besides, she was allowed to have one secret, wasn't she?

Samantha nodded, obviously not believing one word. "How about tomorrow we go see Craig at work? Maybe we can get a scoop on some action for you."

"A scoop? Is this a nineties cartoon we're in."

"May as well be. My best friend is a super hero."