When I finally made it back to the park, the sun was up in the sky, shining like it wanted to permanently blind me. This is what I get for being up so early. I pouted as I managed to find a fairly secluded, but shady tree to sit under.

I pulled my laptop out of my DC satchel. The fabric was compiled with a mix of Batgirl, Supergirl, and Wonder Woman. It showed them in their vintage forms posing or battling their enemies. I loved it, but it always made me wonder why Marvel didn’t bust out with the girl power stuff more often.

I placed the bag aside as I prayed the internet would be my best friend today.

I typed into the search engine, ‘Project Hope,’ and only came up with some nonprofit sites. I tried, Kate Lee, but apparently there were a lot of Kate Lees in the world, and most of them had a Facebook page with a very revealing profile picture. I had a feeling the Kate Lee I was looking for would have more clothes on.

I sighed, frustrated. I felt like I searched countless pages but with no luck. As if it would be that easy.

Before I could press enter on Elton Blake, I heard a familiar voice call my name.

“Penelope!” I heard Jack before I saw him.

How does he know it’s me!?

I looked around, frantically searching for him. He came up from behind the tree.

“Oh,” he started, looking stunned. “I’m sorry. I thought you were my friend. She has the same bag you do. I guess I just assumed no one else would have it.” He shook his head, clearly realizing how stupid that sounded. “Sorry.”

Before he walked away, he stopped and stared at me. It was like he couldn’t help himself.

“This may sound strange but… you sort of resemble my friend. You wouldn’t happen to know Penn Benson, would you?”

I tried to hide my surprise. Jack can see the similarities? No way… Shit… What do I say??

“Actually, Penn is my cousin. I came to town to visit. I’m planning on surprising her.” I told him, trying my best to sound believable. “We each bought a bag at Comic Con together last year.”

“Yeah,” he smiled at me, and for some reason, I actually found it charming.

What the hell? Wake up, Benson!

“I remember when she told me.” He stared at me curiously. “I didn’t realize she went with anyone that year.”

I just smiled shyly, looking down at my laptop before looking back at him.

“I’m Jack, by the way.” he sat down next to me.

For a moment, my heart skipped a beat. I wasn’t sure if it was because he sat down or because I wasn’t sure how long I could keep up the façade.

“Felicia.” I told him, smirking as I thought about Black Cat and how appropriate it was.

“Nice to meet you.” He closed his eyes for a second as he leaned his head back against the tree. Patches of sunlight played in Jack’s dark curls as he seemed totally relaxed beside a total stranger. Even though, technically, we weren’t. “Oh, do you know if Penn is ok?”

He’s using the name I prefer! This is freaking me out big time.

“What do you mean?”

“I haven’t seen her in a few days. Des said she hasn’t been feeling well. I’ve tried to come by, but she’s never home.” He paused, opening his eyes to look at me. “I was just curious.”

Jack seemed so different. He wasn’t his annoying self like he normally was with me. He was nicer, sweet almost, and it was all completely genuine. What the hell is this about? Why can’t he be like this when I’m the other me? It’s so not fair.

I felt my temper flare at the realization.

“Wait a second, are you Jack Hamilton, Jack?” I asked like I didn’t know.

He sat a little straighter, surprised. Yet there was a smile that played on his lips. “She talks about me?”

“Only to say that you’re wicked annoying.” I saw his smile instantly drop. “Oh, and that you call her ‘Penelope’. She LOATHES that, by the way. Not hate, loathe.”

He stared down at the grass, an almost disappointed look on his face. “We just joke a lot, I guess. If I knew she hated it that much I would have stopped.” After a brief pause, he looked up at me with the most open and sincere look I’ve ever seen on him. “Why doesn’t she like being called Penelope? Do you know? Before I can ask she usually slams a door in my face.”

That’s because you were being such an ass!

I debated momentarily before deciding if I should tell him. Well, if it will get him to stop…

“Penn hates it because that’s how her aunt addresses her.”

He stared at me, confused. “Ok…?”

“Her dear Aunt Judy is like the Devil’s mistress.” I paused, feeling a little weird to talk about myself like this with him. It wasn’t anything we’d normally discuss. Not to mention, it was odd to refer to myself in third person. I am, after all, right here. “When Penn lived with her, she made sure to make her life as difficult as possible. And whenever she would give a punishment—her favorite way being a slap to the face and house arrest—she would call her by her full name and curse her for being part of the family.” I stopped for a moment, watching the information sink in. “I guess it just brings back bad memories for her.” I tried not to look too affected by the backlash of awful memories, but they were certainly starting to get to me.

“Yeah, I can see why...” Jack looked thoughtful for a second. “Thanks, Felicia. I’ll be more careful.”

“Good because trust me, you don’t want me to come over to your house to teach you a lesson.” I stared at him sternly, letting him know I wasn’t joking.

He smirked. “Well, I might want you over my house, but not for something like that.”

I blushed and then got angry at myself for doing so. Snap out of it! You’re still Penn in here!

After a moment of silence, Jack glanced over at my screen. “Oh, you’re looking up Elton Blake?”

I turned towards him instantly. “Yeah, do you know who he is?”

“Do I know who he is? Of course. He’s like a second father to me.” He grinned contently. “He’s my mentor here at CSU.”

I wanted to slap myself on the forehead. No wonder Elton Blake sounded so familiar! It was the professor Jack had mentioned a few weeks ago. The one who invited him to work on that government project he briefly told me about.

“Oh, my God! Thank you!” I cheered excitedly as I hugged Jack tightly and started to pack my things.

He chuckled, looking puzzled. “You’re welcome.”

“I have to go.” I told him, walking away. “Thanks again!”

*****

I practically skipped back home. I was too excited. Jack actually helped solve a piece of my mystery! Who would have thought Jack Hamilton would be just the person I needed to talk to?

I was now only a few blocks away from my apartment. Usually by the time I open the door, I’ve turned back to my old self without fail. It was almost like a fail switch on my transformations.

Just as I turned a corner, I heard a small scream, and saw some teenager snatch an old woman’s purse right out of her fingertips. The woman grabbed onto the kid’s hood, lowering it with a tug. It was some girl with hot pink stripes in her spiky head. She glared at the woman as she briefly choked the girl out with a yank. The kid slapped the woman’s hands away and ran straight towards me. I went back around the corner, leaning against the wall.

I could hear the purse snatcher coming my way. Just as she was to pass me, I tripped the girl and snagged the handbag from her grip before she could fall to the ground. The kid scrambled to get up, glaring at me as if I was in the wrong.

I smirked before I walked away. “You know what they say, what goes around comes around.”

I stared at the bag. It was expensive. I could tell by the feel of the purse. The material was good, durable. I returned the blue Coach bag back to the woman. After staring at her a second time, I realized she was loaded—an easy target for some pickpocket. The woman probably lives in the Lux District. That’s usually where the rich and important people of Cardinal City spend their time.

Honestly, I was surprised to see one of the pristine residents of the Lux in this part of town. Not that it was the slums of CC or anything. It’s just there’s usually not enough class down here with the working folk for their liking.

“Oh, why, thank you.” She reached into her purse as soon as I handed it to her.

“You’re very welcome, ma’am.” I smiled before returning to my route.

“Wait a moment, dear.” The woman called after me. “Take this.”

She started to put into my hand a small wad of cash. “Oh, no, I can’t take this.” I replied, placing the money back in her purse before she could stop me. “Your gratitude is enough.” I smiled and sped on ahead, not bothering to look back at the woman.

*****

On second thought, maybe I should have taken the money. I shook my head, knowing I wouldn’t have even if I wanted to.

For some reason, ever since these transformations started, I had this innate push to do good by others. Not quite an obligation though. It was more like a desire. It’s almost like I can’t help myself. Maybe it has always been within me.

As Penn, I couldn’t do much—even if I saw it happening, there was nothing I could have done to stop it. Not like the way new Penn can. She’s been accomplishing things I’ve only dreamed about. In a way, she’s my superhero form.

I smiled as I thought about it.

Maybe I’m going to make a difference after all.