Baum

With Dr. Baum's address in hand, Homelander took Ryan out of Edgar's office.

He said every breath of air in there made him uncomfortable.

The two of them headed down the stairs.

When they reached the ground floor, the elevator doors opened and Homelander stepped out. He seemed unwilling to fly, choosing instead to stroll through the streets of New York with Ryan.

Whether it was the winter that had just passed or the summer now upon them, New York was always busy.

Homelander listened to the blare of car horns and told Ryan about his past.

It was a story about Dr. Baum and himself. "When I first came out of the Laboratory, Baum took me into a crowd. The first time I was surrounded by people, I was terrified."

"You've been terrified before?"

"A long time ago. I still remember them staring at me, all reaching out to grab me. They kept forcing me to use my powers. I felt like the crowd was going to swallow me. I got away, and my eyes were swollen from crying."

"How did you get away?"

"I flew. The first time I flew, it was to escape. Maybe one day you'll fly away with me, Ryan."

Ryan gave no answer. Homelander suddenly stopped beside a toy store, the kind where children could play.

Inside stood a sales assistant so young she looked like a high school student working part-time.

A sun-warmed breeze brushed his cheek. Homelander tilted his head back and let the sunlight touch his forehead. "Ryan, you really are so much like me."

"You're just looking for yourself in me."

"No, Ryan. When I was in Dr. Baum's research lab, no one could teach me how to use my powers. The doctors—or rather, the people who raised me—were all