Endurant

Falling … falling from a great height is the first memory I have. Followed by waking up to see my chest burst open on a rock, the rough stone covered in strange ancient markings. My legs shattered and limp, and blood gushed all around me. I looked up and saw a face high above, I don’t remember who it was. Just the smile as they looked down on me.

Watching my body stitch itself back together, the boned orientate and reseal breaks. I discovered that day, I couldn’t die … and trust me … I tried.

No matter what I do, I endure.

So that’s my name now, Endurant. I try to help others when and where I can, there’s no need for a mask … I have no secret identity or name, I don’t know who I was.

All I know is that face at the top of the cliff.

The first time I saved someone, the crowds cheered and thanked me, rescuing that little girl from the house fire, my burns healed before the ambulance arrived. No one noticed when I slipped away, ‘an angel of mercy’ they called me because of my long blonde hair.

Soon it all changed … people saw me heal from all manner of graphic injuries, the maniac in the shopping mall with the axe, that was the worst and most bloody of them all … after that people started hating me, even when I saved their loved ones. But I kept doing it, unable to die myself. At least I could save others, despite their hate.

For years I lived this way, until today …

Standing and waiting for the train in the subway … I saw the owner of that face, and I saw the train coming.

My turn to smile.