Five Seconds of Power

A new release from Live Real Press

L&G Inc. has accomplished the unbelievable: they have discovered how to give people superpowers! With a few caveats, of course. Their process doesn’t work for everyone; and when it does work, the effects generally only last for about five seconds.

Still… being a superhero for five seconds sounds pretty awesome! Right?

I mean, I’m sure nothing could possibly go wrong…

I was swiping my badge when Brett asked me casually, “Hey doc. Have you heard about the ghost?”

I peered at him over the top of my glasses. “Seriously? They built this whole place last year. How can we have a ghost?”

Brett’s grin broadened. Most of the on-site security had some sort of Special Forces background, and he absolutely fit that mold. With his beard, muscles, and tan, he looked more like the kind of fellow to hunt Sasquatches rather than ghosts. Heck, knowing the way L&G recruited people, he probably was a SEAL-turned-Sasquatch hunter.

“Don’t ask me.” He leaned back. “We’re making superheroes here and shipping people across the multiverse. Is a ghost really too much to believe?”

I snorted. “OK. What does our so-called ghost do?”

Brett shrugged. “The usual. Doors slamming. Strange sounds. Things missing and ending up in places they shouldn’t be. Or couldn’t be.” He glanced left and right, then leaned in and whispered, sotto voce. “Reed’s pretty sure someone’s gone through his files.”

That got my attention. I kept my voice low. “Why would a ghost go after psych evals?”

“A ghost might not. But a bad actor? Lots of people are interested in L&G’s tech, doc.” Brett sat back and raised his voice. “Keep an eye out, doc. Let me know if you see any ghost signs, eh?” He gave me an exaggerated wink.

I forced a chuckle. “Sure thing, Bob.” I shook my head. “Sorry. Brett. Don’t know where that came from.”

He waved his hand. “Eh. You see fifty people a week, doc. I’m not surprised you forget a name now and then.”

I gave him a weak smile as I headed for the stairs.

Check your files.

I stopped, shivering. Where had that thought come from? I glanced back at Brett. “Ghosts, of all things.”

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Read the rest of “My My, Hey Hey” and nine other stories of superheroes, super villains, and super adventures in Five Seconds of Power from Live Real Press.

Based of the setting of the 5 Second Rule mini-RPG from Lucky Newt Games.