Full Body Inflation

It was decided that an all female superhero team should be formed to combat evil. After much discussion, it was decided that the team should be comprised of Spider Woman, X-23, Scarlet Witch, and Firestar, with The Wasp as team leader. The team was called in for their first mission when a villain known as The Inflator was attacking downtown New York. As the the heroins flew to the scene in their jet, Firestar asked, “Why is he called “The Inflator”?”

“I don't know,” replied Wasp. “I guess we'll find out.”

Over the next week, Felix found himself lying on his bed at night, with the image of Imogen, fully inflated and helpless, occupying his thoughts. Each time, the image was destroyed by that freakish Dreda, kicking Imogen until she burst, giving her no chance to defend herself. Imogen had been so helpless, so vulnerable, so powerless--and Dreda had been so cruel, so merciless, so totally in control...

Felix didn’t know what to expect when Imogen led him deep into the decrepit building, although he wouldn’t have guessed that it involved inflating women.

Most of the passageways were sparsely lit, so Felix stayed close behind her, checking out the backside of her jeans as they got closer to the screaming crowd. They seemed to be screaming “Blow! Blow! Blow!” with various other voices shouting encouragement or the more enigmatic “Pop her! Pop her!”

I grew up next to Laura Hillman and her daughter Kate since my family moved in when I was in ninth grade. Before I really met a single person in high school, Ms. Hillman was my closest friend, and remained so even up till I left for college. I was a latchkey kid -- Mom and Dad both worked most of the day, so when I'd come home, I would have the house to myself. Ms. Hillman would always come over. We'd talk about school, about the guys in my class, and anything else that came up. I wouldn't have survived high school if it wasn't for the kindness of my closest neighbor.