He hadn’t been flying much. During his time undercover, the alien had needed to conceal all evidence of his abilities. In the few days since he had been back he realized that walking had become a habit. Now that he was climbing the stairs to M’gann’s living quarters, instead of floating above them, J’onn felt grateful that his new building had a working elevator. Perhaps this was what the humans meant when they claimed to be ‘out of shape.’
M’gann had given J’onn a spare key so that he would not upset the neighbors by phasing through the door. Again, the months undercover made this commonplace. It was fortunate, in some sense, as he and his niece were both being scrutinized by the rest of the world. Their alien status earned many a cold glare and it was harder than ever to blend in, to make a life worth living. J’onn sighed and opened the door to the hallway.
There was a loud creak as the door swung shut, a J’onn mentally kicked himself for not closing it more gently. He did not like to draw attention to himself. Thankfully, he didn’t need to remain in the open for long. J’onn reached into his jacket pocket, expecting to draw the key out right away, but it wasn’t where he had put it. He tried the other pocket and then his pants pockets, and then his jacket pockets again.
At least his wallet was still safely nestled in his inside-jacket pocket. “Where did I--?” J’onn muttered, still hoping that they were somewhere on his person. He turned and tried the knob. Locked, of course. M’gann wouldn’t leave have left it open. J’onn shook the knob a little harder, with two hands this time. It still refused to budge. Intending to phase through the door after all, J’onn quickly glanced around the hallway.
He froze. A woman was standing at the door on the end of the hall. She was watching him closely, suspiciously. “I am a friend.” He held up a hand to dismiss the young woman and turned back to the knob to shake it again.
@akagoddammit
