Hindrance

Back in the 90's; I always loved Superman The Animated Series and how Superman saved Lois Lane. So I decide to do a story on a girl who gets rescued....BY A GIRL?! Yes, that's right. Helena Strom is a former model and child TV star, turned successful radio talk show host. Overcoming her past as an abused child star that led into the real world, Helena became a designated damsel in distress and rescued by the infamous Mariah Jailen! Please enjoy the short story...if you dare!I'm kidding, please enjoy!  --KatDon 

Mariah Jailen is sarcastic, impartial and adventurous. But what'd you expect from somebody with her horrifying past. She was born and grew up in a fairly rich family in a normal village, she lived comfortably until she was about 12 years old, but at that point everything changed. She maimed somebody during a long lasting heat-wave and was now alone, miserable and abandoned. With a loyal stranger she had to survive in an insane world. But with her wits and talents, she managed to start a new life and remain out of reach of danger. This has turned her into the woman she is today. While haunted by memories of the past, she now works perfecting skills and talents. By doing so, she hopes to be released of the haunting memories and finally find pleasure-full life she has never had. How did it occurred? The bastard has been watching her for a while, and finds her as the perfect victim because of her vulnerability to him. The guy pulls up on Mariah in his car and offers her candy. The tinted windows will hide her once she’s inside. Despite the fact that she says no, he continues to pursue her and chase her through the parking lot, meaning that she's running and he's following after her. He finally catches up to her, pushing her down so she stops running and covers her mouth so she cannot scream. She still screams for help but her situation is starting to seem hopeless. She attempts to fight back by biting him, despite being taken to his basement where he is fascinated by the proof of her presence through something as simple as her breathing. Mariah's tone shifts to a more bitter and angry tone, having given up hope of being rescued. After Mariah was kidnapped, eventually killing her kidnapper with poisonous milk and cookies. She first prepares a dose of a sleeping drug, for her abuser to make it easier to poison him, playing along in order to expose his defenses and make him vulnerable. This moment is officially when she mentally snaps and is forced to do some crazy things to get out of a crazy situation and begins to embrace her insanity. She wears black to symbolize his impending death and focuses on how good she looks in black. Mariah is sick of playing along with the wolf, she chooses to go for the kill, taking action into her own hand. Meanwhile back in the day; Redheaded Penelope 'Penny' Baxter, her parents Kirk and Theophania, her boyfriend Aaron Christopher, and her raven-haired friendly rival Missy Malloy. Attesting to its quiet popularity, Penelope Baxter was among the very few when following Penny's high-school graduation, the show switched from humor to become a young career-gal romantic adventure. Betty Strom and her daughter Helena lived in a one bedroom apartment before Helena became a star. As a child, Helena was an actress who played a red-headed character named Penelope 'Penny' Baxter on a television show called Penny on the Lovelight. Though she had fans that practically worshiped her with gift, was the highest paid child star in television history, and even had a popular toy line and comic book, Helena hated that time of her life, wishing even into adulthood that she could be a superhero. It did not help that Dorothy was controlling and abusive toward her daughter. Betty's meddling and Helena's difficulties with fame led to erratic behavior. She became a drug addict, and seemingly caused a fire in a nightclub. One night during an argument, Betty hit Helena in the arm with one of the awards and Helena had enough as she left home when she was still in her teens but managed to find a shelter as she managed to get away in time from her mother before things got worse. In adulthood, Helena reinvented herself as just Helena, host of acclaimed radio talk show on the station.


Helena Strom is intelligent, scornful and fierce. But there's more than meets the eye, not surprising for somebody with her tormented past. She was born and grew up in a loving family in a broken city, she lived without worry until she was about 16 years old, but at that point things changed. She lost her best friend in a terrible disaster and was neglected by everybody. With the help of a stranger she had to survive in a brutal world. But with her fighting skills and talents, she managed to survive everything and overpower anybody who's a hindrance. This has turned her into the woman she is today. With new found pride and some happiness, she now works on travelling and surviving of nature. By doing so, she hopes to find some form of redemption and finally find purpose to life she has never had. Helena is a very determined, tough, headstrong, and almost fearless woman, capable of taking any challenge that is required of her for those she cares for, namely her adoptive sister Jessica Jones. Throughout her childhood, Helena was forced to live up to others expectations of her, from the fans that adored her, to own her abusive mother. The pressures of fame and being abused made her more erratic and self destructive as she grew up, leading to drug addiction. Despite this, she began to turn her life around, becoming a highly successful talk show host. However, she was also hardened by her troubled life, making her greatly obsessed with overcoming weaknesses, taking up self defense classes that left her with bruises and a bloody nose, continuing on even when she was injured. 

In modern day; Helena was on the phone with her friend during her attendance at the parade. “Yeah, you should see it—it’s so beautiful.” There was a short pause before she continue, “Nah, nothing interesting yet but it’s OK. You should come by, take a break.” Another pause and Helena said, “Ok, fine. I was just offering. All right, I gotta go—bye!” She hung up and participated in the crowd! Just then, monsters attacked the parade as panic was around. Fragments from the balcony coming from above as Helena could see the debris was about to crash onto her and tries to get up to hurry away but trips and falls. Helena looks up as she felt her life flashing before her eyes, awaiting for her death to take her however it didn’t happen. She opened her eyes as she noticed she was all right. Helena looked up to see a girl with telekinetic force that stopped the debris from falling. It was Mariah Jailen! And she wasn’t alone; there was friends with her! “No way!” gasped Helena. Mariah threw the debris away and glanced down at Helena before saluting slightly with a smile as she and the others rescue everyone from the monsters! Helena could only stare up in amazement at Mariah and the others, “Who is this girl?” She said, thinking she was saying this to herself. However a voice spoke up: “Ma’m, that’s Mariah Jailen.” It was a man with a gray beard with hints of brown on it and wearing lumberjack clothes. Mariah and the others managed to take down the beasts. Helena let out an admiration gasp, “Mariah Jailen…” She muttered. One spectator cried out, “Aww c’mon! Is that all there is to it? That’s it? C’mon, it was getting good!” Sylvia cracked a smile as she and the others. On the radio later on; Mariah heard Helena say on the radio that caught her attention of these exact words: “There are people who are considered outcasts and freaks called Dream State Agency. They are a good kind, they save innocent lives but what are their true intentions? We’ll never know, all we can understand is they’re strange and adequate but so skillful and obscured from the outsiders in the city. Where did these allies come from? It’s all we want to know.” Mariah was intrigued, “She wants to get to know us better? OK, I’d like that.” She muttered to herself. In the meantime, Helena is driving in her car to a meeting. While driving; Helena heard a voice around her car, “Helena Strom? I heard you want to know about me. I’m here to help you with that, if you can give me a moment of your time.” It was Mariah! Helena remained calm while she spoke, “All right sure. So…where are you?” Mariah spoke again, “Me? More like we…We’re uh…Uh ha ha. Hang on, one moment please.” Just then, Helena could feel someone or something lifting her car off the street, Mariah telekinetically lift the vehicle with Helena inside to a secluded area! Mariah told Helena about everything about herself and other stuff. “Hmm, sounds reasonable.” Helena remarked. “Understand this, Helena….We’re only trying to help people.” Mariah declared. Helena nodded, “I know. But it doesn’t clear up on what your reasoning in this agency.” She said. Sylvia shrugged, “I got nothing.” She admitted in defeat. Helena smirked, “I don’t believe you.” She replied with skepticism. “You don’t believe me.” Sylvia said, it didn’t sound like a question. “I’m having a hard time trying to process on what you told me. The million dollar question for me is what’s your reason to work for this agency?” Helena asked. Mariah sighed deeply, “Personal reasons. Haunted by the trauma of the past. But that’s a story for another time.” She divulged. Mariah turned to walk away but not before saying, “No matter what you think of us, we always do these things not because we were told or doing something nice but that it’s the right thing. And besides, nobody is going to be alone ever again. No one will ever have to deal with the monsters unaccompanied.”  With that, Mariah walked away and Helena watched her go, a little bit inquisitive to know more about her. Helena decided to do some investigation on monsters but sadly while spying on some top secret projects; she is confronted by a mob boss. “Well hello darling, where did you come from?” The mob boss said in a taunting voice. Helena stared up in horror, she knew she was in big trouble—Dead meat! Moments later; Helena’s wrists were bound behind her back and her feet were shackled while on the ground. “You’re making a big mistake, I’ll bet those people are on the way by now.” She bluffed. “Darling, if they did, they would appear by now.” Retorted the mob boss. Helena knew it was quiet and thought she heard the sound of a signal alarm. “All clear, take care of her.” The mob boss instructed. The thug stood before Helena, who struggled in her bounds, however she looks up and awaited as the thug was about to strike! However, there was a loud crash from above. Then, the sound of the thug’s gasp, Helena opened her eyes and was stunned to see Mariah and the gang once again saved her life! “Howdy boys, remember me?” taunted Mariah in a cool tone. “You again? Take them all down!” Michael commanded. Sylvia deflected their attacks as she shouted, “Guys, help me out! Free Helena!” One of them listened and cut the bounds free, Helena stared in incredulity. “Thanks.” She said. The first nodded with a small grin. “Take cover!” commanded the second. Helena did so, but she saw a hook hanging above her of a contraption so she had an idea! Helena took the dagger and tied it to the hook of a hanging string and uses it to swing while she knocked out the guards, who are now knocked out. The second guy and third guy looked at Helena in shock. “Thanks.” Evan called with a grin. Helena salutes casually, “Anytime.” She answered. The others could see Mariah was attacked as she fell to the ground. Helena was knocked off her feet and she looked up to see the mob boss poised his weapon at Helena and grinned menacingly. “So long, darling!” He taunted. Mariah struggled to her feet, “Helena…” She moaned with determination in her eyes. In one swoop; she and her friends rescued Helena! Sylvia placed her down as Helena managed to catch her breath. “Go, find someplace safe. We’re going to take down the bastards!” Mariah instructed. She and the others were about to leave when Helena called out, “Wait!” They stopped to turn to her as Helena managed to say: “Be careful.” Mariah smiled, “You got it!” She said with a nod. Helena watched them go, she was smiling and walking to get to her car. She got in the car and drove to the radio station. She got on her radio show where she stated, “I know Mariah Jailen would be there because she’s my hero.” Soon, she was taking calls of questions about how Mariah saved her. Unknown to her; Mariah and the others were listening to this. 

One day, Helena’s voice screams out for someone to help! Everyone look to see Mariah carrying Helena, who was injured badly. “Helena? Teague, are you..?” She asked. Helena regained conscious, “Mariah…Oh god, I’m sorry! I feel like I failed you…Heh, I sound dramatic…I know but I feel so weak. I was beaten various times…I just didn’t want you to get hurt by the beast…” Despite being injured Helena got up and at the hotel; she swore she saw a monster and her face became hard! “Guys…Stay here.” Helena said firmly as she ran inside the tall hotel. “But that’s the one that everyone left!” Mariah protested. “I know.” Helena said. “But the monsters!!!” Mariah called. “That’s what I’m after!” hollered Helena. Helena went to the first floor and was already running to the stairs but stops when she heard Mariah’s voice: “HELENA!!! HOLD ON, TAKE THIS!!!” Helena peered down, Mariah then tossed Sylvia a bright pink durable shell bag with a strap, Helena caught it and looked at it, “What’s this?” She called. “Use it, it’ll help you!” Dorothy called. Helena sling the bag over her shoulder and ran as Dorothy shouted again, “GO!!! RUN HELENA, RUN!!!! GO AS FAST AS YOU CAN!!!! GOOOOO!!!!” Helena did with the others calling after her! Helena was running up different floors as she reached the roof of the hotel and looked around as she unraveled the weapon from the bag as she saw it was a lightweight submachine gun with a strap that she sling over and looked around with the gun position around her, she looked around for any monsters! She came across one that towered over her; actually it was standing like a human and staring her down with his dark eyes. He stood there motionless until it let out a roar! Helena jumped; she took a step back while pointing her weapon however the monster attempt to attack her while Helena dodged them and almost stumble. Just then, she stepped backwards a bit too far because she lost her footing and fell off the room—screaming for dear life! She attempted to use her powers to not fall down hard and die. However, the monster grabbed Helena and was about to hurt her when Helena shut her eyes in fear. Just then, Helena heard the creature let out a cry of pain and arms of comfort surround her. Helena opened her eyes and saw it was just Helena! “Emmett…” Helena gasped. “Easy Helena, I got you.” Emmett said in a hushed voice. He gently glided back to the ground where everyone was relieved to see she was OK. Helena smiled, “Thanks.” She replied. Helena waved after she drives off in the car. She stopped at a gas station that was run down when someone in black approaching her, “Excuse me. I'm just a poor and lost stranger. Is there a house nearby?” asked the stranger. Helena looked at the guy puzzled as she stated, “There’s nothing nearby...Not for miles.” She said and turned her back to him but felt a gun pointed at her, “Good...Then there will be no one to hear you scream.” It was the mob boss! He grinned menacingly as Helena stayed calm. “Doesn’t matter, Mariah will always come for me any way.” Helena answered. “Foolish girl…” The mob boss remarked, he was about to attack but Helena punched him hard in the mouth and ran off! The boss chased after her, Helena was running when she tripped and almost slid down into a ravine. Just then, someone swooped over and rescued Helena! Helena looked up and saw Mariah who looks down at her. “I got you, I’m not going to let you go.” Mariah said. Helena was shocked, “You got me? Who’s got you?” She questioned. Mariah smiled as she got Helena to safety once again. “That was intense!” Helena remarked. “You have a knack for getting in trouble.” Mairah  remarked. “You have a knack for saving my life.” Helena replied with a laugh. Just then, the monsters surprised attack until Mariah & the others regrouped as they face them all! During this time; Helena realized how dangerous the situation when she saw a rifle on the ground and picks it up. She endeavors her target. “Strom squares off, she aims…She shoots!” Helena mutters as she opens fires on two of the monsters. Mariah and the others are shocked up to this point, the look at Helena who was smiling. “Double points, yes!” Helena exclaimed. A monster came beside her as Helena jumped with a gasped. Mariah came to Helena’s rescue and took the blow but saw the alpha leader of the monster and took him out as well as the others! “NO!” cried the mob boss. “YES!” exclaimed Mariah. Later on in the next day, it got quiet as the announcer came to the microphone on stage with the envelope to reveal the winner. “And the winner is…Helena Strom!” The announcer said in the microphone after tearing the envelope. Mariah lets out a whoop as she and the others applaud while Helena walked towards the stage to accept her award. She smiled like a star in the sky with her teeth glimmering, she hugged the announcer warmly and thanked everyone. Then, she stepped off the stage but stop dead in her tracks to see there was a woman with aging lines and a disdained look on her face. She looked like a business woman. Mariah begins to have uneasy feelings about this woman and glanced at Helena with concern. “Mom, what are you doing here?” Helena demanded. Her mother sneered down at her, “So you won an award…My award, I see. Hand it over!” She demanded. Helena kept the award at her side, away from her mother. “No, you don’t deserve this. You didn’t work hard like I did. I’m nothing more than your meal ticket for attention.” Helena said. She was about to walk away when Ms. Strom reaches over to her while screaming, “LITTLE TRAMP!!!” Helena seized her mother’s wrist and twisted, making her mother winced while Helena said, “Don’t you dare touch me.” She lets her mother go who stumbles but Ms. Strom glares at her, “You’re nothing but an attention stealing bitch!” She screamed. Helena looked back at her in disbelief, “Oh, I’m the attention stealer? I was forced to be star; you made me famous so you could steal my thunder!” She pointed out. Everyone gasped in horror by this shocking realization! Helena walked away while her mother cried out: “HELENA!!!!” 


But she walks away when she heard a click sound and looked up when she heard a clinging sound. Helena watched in horror as the chandelier was about to crash down upon her, but then it was levitated before it even reached her, Helena smiled with such relief. “Why is it that you are the one that always gets into trouble and we gotta be the ones to save your pretty little ass?” Helena said jokingly. Helena was rather amused, “Good to see you too Jailen.” She said. There was a masked figure with a gun in hand as this person cursed themselves for not taking down Helena! Helena looked scared however the girl was shoved out of the way. Helena fell to the floor where someone helped her up and she saw who it was before smiling again. “Can’t stay out of trouble now can ya?” retorted Mariah with a smirk. Helena laughed, “Not a chance.” She joked. At night; Helena was walking down the streets where she thought she heard someone call her name. Helena turn around, she saw one in particular so she kept walking forward  but kept her guard up. “Helena! Helena…” The voice called. Just then, Helena felt fingers ensnarled on her shoulders and palms on top of her expose skin of her off the shoulder top Helena was wearing but she felt chills run up her spine and looked up  slowly to see a woman with untidy hair and piercing eyes looking into her soul. Scared out of her wits; Helena ran into a dark room of unknown place and hide, she felt around for a light switch but instead she felt a hand on her arm and the other on Helena’s mouth. Helena tries to struggle but a voice spoke calmly in her ear, “Calm down. Whatever you do, don’t make a sound or she’ll find you.” The hand dropped from Helena’s mouth. Moments later; Mariah leads Helena to safety, “Come on, don’t stop now. Just keep running!” Mariah said urgently. “Why--?” Helena stammered in confusion. They stopped at a dead end, Mariah and Helena turned around to see the mob boss appeared! “Hello Helena! I see you’re doing well.” Then, a voice called out: “Don’t scare them, they had nothing to do towards them…” But then, Helena felt pressure around her throat, she was nearly pulled towards the mob boss however Mariah exclaimed: “Release the girl; she has nothing to do with it!” Helena cried out, “Help me!” Mariah outstretches her palm and Helena felt her body glided over to Mariah who carried her. “GIVE ME THE GIRL YOU BITCH!!!” The mob boss shouted. “You kidnap one girl before, I’m not letting you do it again Mora!” Mariah screamed, holding Helena close. Helena shields her eyes as she turns away. “GIVE ME THE GIRL!!!” yelled the mob boss. “YOU CAN’T HAVE HER!!!” Mariah  hollered. “Help me get away from her! Please, don’t let me go!” Helena whimpered. Mariah held her close, “I’ll never let go.” She said. Helena was taken to somewhere safe and was gonna get stronger!