Marvel: Ghost Rider

Johnny sat silently at the table, mechanically chewing yet another culinary masterpiece crafted by Melissa. He was planning how, come nightfall, he would cast sinful souls into the fire of vengeance. The family chatter around him sounded distant, yet he still listened in.

"Mom, look at Coal," Barbara said, frowning. "He's acting strange. Not eating, just staring out the window."

The black cat sat on the windowsill, his ears pressed back in alertness. His blue eyes remained fixed on the street, as if searching for something invisible to the rest.

"Coal only acts this way for one reason," Naomi said with a faint smile, picking up the cat and placing him on her lap. "It means there's a witch in town."

"A witch?" Danny repeated, laughing. "Mom, you can't be serious."

"What surprises you, Master Daniel?" Melissa asked primly, adjusting maid's uniform. "You call one witch your mother."

She cast a brief glance at Naomi, who smirked in a way that promised nothing good.

"If only you'd seen Mistress Naomi with her friends at the bookstore," Melissa added cryptically. "A true Witch's Trio!"

"Witches don't exist," Danny declared confidently, leaning back in his chair.

Barbara squinted at him and countered, "Superheroes exist, but witches don't? Fascinating logic you've got there."

"That's completely different!" Danny protested, folding his arms behind his head. "Superheroes are science, mutations, experiments..."

"Maybe she's a scientific witch," Barbara teased. "A witch born from a military experiment."

Father, seated at the end of the table, chuckled. "If New York adjusting to superheroes, it'll adjust to witches too."

"Are you seriously discussing the existence of witches?!" Danny exclaimed, jumping to his feet. "They're not real, right?"

"Who knows, son," Naomi replied mysteriously, stroking Coal. "Who knows."

Johnny stared grimly into his coffee mug. They were talking about witches as if they were fairytales, while he had to battle monsters straight out of those same stories. And yet, he cherished these family conversations. Though he rarely joined in, he always listened with interest.

"Perhaps Mistress Naomi is right," Melissa interjected, scanning the room. "Last night, I saw a strange girl. Something about her was… off. I can't quite tell if it was her gaze or the way she moved."

Everyone turned to her.

"She was on our lawn. Coal was sunbathing at the time. The girl bent down to pet him, but he dodged and ran into the house."

Naomi glanced at the cat again, stroking his back.

"Good boy. Coal's not just handsome but clever too. I've been watching his diet for a reason."

"He might have a different opinion on that," Melissa noted. She cut off a small piece of meat and tossed it to the cat. Coal caught it mid-air and swallowed it with a contented purr.

Johnny smirked. Coal was a fighter, just like him. Even if a cat thief was lurking around, Coal could take care of himself.

///

The school cafeteria buzzed like a hive. The hum of voices, the clatter of plates, and the smell of overcooked pizza blended into a chaos that Johnny Blaze had long grown tired of. He sat at his usual table, slightly detached, observing the people around him. Students laughed, shared news, and excitedly discussed evening plans. It all felt foreign to him.

Johnny slowly scanned the room. He was bored here. School had always been something of a training camp for him. He studied history not for tests but to understand tactics and military experience. Chemistry and physics were tools for crafting weapons. Biology and anatomy held the keys to enemies' weaknesses. All of this made him better, faster, stronger. Every hour at his desk brought him closer to becoming a machine of vengeance. But now, school felt like an empty shell. He had already learned everything he needed.

"Why am I even here?" he thought, realizing he was far more invested in his plans for the night mission than in the chatter of his peers.

"Johnny?" a voice called out.

It took him a moment to realize someone was speaking to him. Looking up, he met Roxy's eyes. Her face showed mild annoyance.

"Are you even listening to me?" she asked, pouting and crossing her arms.

"Sorry, say that again," Johnny replied calmly, putting down his fork.

"You never listen to me!" Roxy said, though her irritation quickly faded. She smiled slightly and leaned closer. "I was asking if you'd like to go to a party with me tonight."

Johnny hesitated. He had never been to a party. They always seemed like a waste of time.

Seeing his silence, Roxy frowned.

"Of course. You'll probably be busy with your training. And I guess alcohol doesn't fit into your fitness routine."

"I'll go," Johnny said suddenly.

Roxy froze, clearly not expecting that answer.

"What? What did you say?"

"I said I'll go," he repeated, meeting her gaze directly.

For a moment, Roxy was speechless, then she squealed with excitement and hugged him so tightly he almost knocked over his water glass.

"You're serious?! Johnny Blaze, you're going to a party! I don't believe it!"

Johnny reluctantly raised a hand to pat her back, trying to calm her down. The entire cafeteria was now staring at them, but Roxy didn't seem to care.

As Roxy talked about the party, Johnny suddenly realized that these moments of simple happiness were something he had deprived himself of for too long. Maybe going to the party was his way of feeling like a part of their world, if only for a little while.

"This is a victory!" she chirped, letting him go. "First the party, then I'll drag you to prom. And guess what? We'll be king and queen!"

He let Roxy's excitement carry him, watching her bright eyes and infectious joy. Deep down, Johnny knew this would be his first and last party. He wanted to feel normal, just once, before closing this chapter forever.

/////

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