Dr. Hermonius Brinkman
July 2, 2006
#1 Neutron Circle
Evanston IL 60209
Dear Dad,
Now I want to start right out and say that no matter what you hear, I'm fine. I'm not dead or missing or anything. But something has happened and things may be...strange for a little while.
I was helping Pavel Garnier track down a plague virus when I was contaminated myself! What with still recovering from my past illness, it really knocked me for a loop! I blundered into a thunderstorm over King's Row. The doctors said I'd been struck by lightning at least five times, and probably more than that. They told me that the outer nine layers of my skin had been burned away (I guess I have fifteen...did you know that?). I'm red and raw all over, but they say my skin should regenerate over time, although they can't give me a time-table. My hair has been charred black. My eyes don't show any pupils any more and my face seems somewhat changed, but they say my baseline health levels all check out, so we'll see what happens.
The really bad part is that it also scrambled my powers. I can't fly anymore, but I can run at super-speed. I'm not as tough, but that bad energy drain I was getting is gone. Yesterday, without thinking, I jumped right out the window and smacked right into the ground. Luckily it was just a third floor window, and no one saw me. In battle the punches hurt a lot more, and I keep having to fight down the urge to back away. It's really tough adjusting.
With this new Kid Decorum around, I think Decorum is being looked up to as a role-model to some. I can't go back out there like THIS! So I came to a decision. Until I get a handle on things again, I don't think I should be Decorum. I've decided to use another identity for a while. I designed a costume and am going by the name Thunderfist (pictures enclosed, so you'll recognize me). Then if I really mess something up, it won't reflect on the reputation I've built up. I am, of course, going to tell my teammates, but to the general public (and especially the press), Decorum will suddenly just go missing. You'll probably get reporters questioning you, so I just wanted to let you know that everything is all right.
I plan on finding Dr. Vahzilok, the creator of the plague that started this all, and see if there's anything we can get out of him that will help. Take care of yourself, Dad. Don't worry about me. I'm growing up a little. I can take care of this.
Love, your son,
Jack "Thunderfist" Brinkman
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