The Comprehensive Evolution of American Comics

After a brief exchange, Tandy and Reed had a preliminary understanding of each other.

Especially after learning that Reed was a remarkable scholar, Tandy felt even more at ease with him. It has to be said that, for the most part, humans have a certain admiration for those with high academic achievements.

Tandy even invited Reed and his companions to sit down in her shelter, because chatting on the streets of New York was not a good idea at the moment.

Some might think that inviting Reed and the others into her home on their first meeting was naive, but she had her own considerations.

First, there was Reed's identity as a scholar. Although the authenticity of his identity remained to be confirmed, Tandy did not think he was lying based on his demeanor.

Also, Reed and his group had offered a helping hand to them in their crisis. If they really wanted to do something bad, they could have already acted.

After the battle with the Serpent Society, Tandy and her group were already at their limit. Based on the strength Reed and his group had shown, even in their peak condition, Tandy and the others might not be able to defeat them.

Therefore, after Tandy's initial assessment, Reed and his group, although their purpose was still unclear, were at least a group of good people with a conscience. She just didn't know if they would ask for a reward.

Of course, asking for a reward was reasonable. Tandy's real worry was whether she could afford it.

But Reed and his group didn't seem to care about this aspect. Without Tandy deliberately guiding the conversation, Reed and his group didn't mention anything related to rewards.

This made Tandy a little uneasy. Even children knew that free things were often the most expensive. Tandy felt it was time to steer the conversation.

Entering the shelter, Tandy quickly noticed something was wrong. The members who should have been gathered in the hall were all gone. There should only be one exit to the shelter. They didn't see anyone escape while they were guarding the entrance, did they?

Asking Quentin, who came out later, his answer shocked her.

"They've all been controlled by Zebediah," Quentin said, pushing up his glasses. "I used my ability to put them to sleep for a while. They probably won't wake up until tomorrow."

"Mr. Zebediah?" The purple figure popped into Tandy's head. "He has superpowers too? I thought changing color was his special ability."

"Mind control is his special ability," Quentin said, speechless at Tandy's naivety. "The purple skin is probably just a side effect of his ability. He used this ability to cooperate with the Serpent Society from the inside, wanting to take you both down in one fell swoop."

What Quentin didn't say was that Zebediah had already used his control ability on Tandy the day he entered the shelter, but fortunately, he discovered it in time and stopped it.

Because Quentin couldn't perfectly control his abilities yet, he didn't want to reveal his superpowers at first, so he didn't jump out and denounce Zebediah's evil deeds. This led to Tandy not knowing about it, and Zebediah thinking his ability didn't work on superhumans. It could be said to be a beautiful misunderstanding.

But it was this misunderstanding that led Zebediah to not directly rebel, but to hide and even find an opportunity to bring in the Serpent Society to cooperate with them, which led to a series of events later on.

And Quentin, because he sensed Zebediah's little thoughts, had been monitoring him, which led him to discover his bigger conspiracy. It could be said to be a gain with a loss, and it could also be considered atonement.

However, feeling that it was because of his own reasons, Quentin still felt a little guilty, so the young boy didn't dare to say it directly, and could only wait until he had the courage to confess to Tandy and the others after a while.

Tandy glanced at Quentin, feeling that the latter was somewhat silent for some reason. She didn't think much about it, thinking it was probably because he was tired from using his abilities too much.

Now it was time to get to the main topic, which was the issue of how to deal with the Serpent Society members. After all, they couldn't let Susan keep using her abilities to restrain them. A solution should be discussed.

When it came to this issue, everyone present was silent for a while. Instead, the youngest pink-haired boy was the first to put forward his own opinion.

"Kill them," Quentin said, leaning back on an armchair, his small body sinking into the sofa.

Everyone was sitting together, each with a different chair. It was obvious that they were picked up from various places. The only requirement was that they could be used.

Some were chairs, some were benches, and some were sofas. Of course, the incredibly heavy Ben could only sit on the ground, but even sitting on the ground, he was the tallest one. Quentin, sitting on the highest sofa, was even only up to his waist.

Quentin's words caused everyone to fall silent again. This idea may have occurred to some people, but no one expected it to be said by a child.

"We can't do that, Quentin," Tandy was the first to reject Quentin's suggestion. "We are still human. According to the law, we have already rendered the Serpent Society members unable to fight. If we inflict further harm at this time, we will become murderers."

"We think of ourselves as human, but those ordinary people outside don't think so," Quentin sneered disdainfully. "Have you forgotten the program broadcast on the radio? The outside world has already begun to hunt down superhumans. Those who are caught will be thrown into New York."

"They even built walls, just like before. This country likes to do this kind of thing. They want to trap us in cages like beasts, and maybe even use us as animals in a zoo to be watched."

"That's why we shouldn't give up on ourselves," Tandy walked to Quentin and crouched down, looking into his eyes.

"They want to prove that we are not human, so we must not do what they want. Promise me, don't do anything out of line, okay? Quentin?"

"Whatever," Quentin didn't answer Tandy's question, but just changed his position and lay sideways on the sofa, so he didn't have to look at Tandy's eyes.

"I'm just giving my suggestion. Since you don't agree, then forget it. When it's your turn, I'll just listen."

Not getting an answer from Quentin, Tandy sighed helplessly and could only turn back and continue to discuss how to deal with the Serpent Society members.

Reed looked at the somewhat disappointed Tandy and had a certain understanding of the little girl in front of him. In his opinion, Tandy should be a well-educated, good child from a wealthy family.

Her demeanor, coupled with her handling of major and minor matters, plus her opinionated appearance, all proved this point. Moreover, the fact that she would rather be injured than abandon her companions also proved that she possessed a very high level of morality.

She was a suitable person to be a partner.