I knocked on the Bullard house on a Saturday morning. I planned to talk to him during the weekdays, but he showed up yesterday, so I couldn’t help but talk to him today, despite my wanting to do some hero work. Well, it's fine, I wanted to help him and put Thomas behind bars as soon as possible. Besides, my suit is being packaged today and won’t be delivered until this afternoon. I frowned as an adult silhouette approached the front door.

  Crapbaskets, I was hoping that Jimmy answered the door. After all, it's taking a huge amount of restraint not to just barrage in and shatter that scumbag’s jaw. The door opened, revealing the butthole himself, Thomas Bullard. My eyes twitched.

  “Easy, kid,” Gavin said through my hidden earpiece.

  I swallowed before forcing a polite smile. The fact that I had to nearly send me to the washroom to throw up bile in my throat.

  “Hello, Mr. Bullard, is Jimmy home?”

  He blinked before letting out a sound of acknowledgement.

  “Ah, I remember you. You’re Jimmy’s panther for the project, I thought that was due yesterday?”

  Ah, drat, I forgot that we already handed in our assignment yesterday, so I can’t use that excuse to speak to Jimmy. Should I say I want to hang out with him? But I don’t want to get potentially rejected, Thomas might make an excuse for him that won’t allow me to speak to Jimmy, so I quickly improvised.

  “Well, yes. But actually, no, you see, we have another assignment that is due on Monday. It's…uh-a reflection part of our assignment, and I just want to compare notes really quickly.”

  Thomas blinks before flashing me that damned fake charming smile that makes me want to shatter his pearly white teeth.

  “Oh?” He says lightly. “A reflection portion?”

  I nod, keeping my smile up even as, under my pockets, my fist was clenching tight. Then I remembered Jimmy’s black eye, and then Thomas’s silhouette hitting him. My jaw tightens at the sudden memory. And I imagine just for half a second, grabbing him by the collar and slamming him against the wall.

  Thomas tilts his head slightly. “You seem tense. Is everything all right?”

  “I’m fine, sir,” I said quickly.

  The fact that I called him ‘Sir’ as if paying respects to this man felt like acid on my mouth. His eyes linger on me, crossing his arms, but still keeping that punchable smile on his face. Does he know? Did he connect the child services visit to me? No, calm yourself, Red, get your head in the game.

  “Well, no harm in comparing notes,” He says pleasantly. “Jimmy! You have a visitor!”

  I hear movement upstairs. Then Jimmy appears at the top of the stairs. Our eyes met, it was one of confusion and surprise. He looked worried but put on his indifferent mask again. He walks down the stairs and greets me with a nod.

  “Ben.”

  “Hey, Jimmy.”

  “Your friend says you have… reflections to compare,” Thomas said.

  Jimmy's face scrunches up in confusion. Ah, crap. He knows we don’t have an additional reflection assignment. I quickly tried to do damage control by saying:

  “Hey,” I say casually. “It won’t take long.”

  I say, flashing a nervous grin. Jimmy’s face lit up in realization of what I’m trying to do, but Jimmy hesitates. I felt bad, I wanted to say that we know about your mom. We can help. You don’t have to protect him.

  But I can’t. Not when this guy is around. Jimmy released a sigh before straightening his posture.

  “Let’s get this over with. It is quick, right? Let's talk outside.”

  Jimmy looks at his father for approval. Thomas nods, though his smile thinned a little.

  “That’s fine, just don’t be out too long. You’re grounded, remember?”

  Jimmy put his head down and then nodded solemnly. “Yes, I know.”

  My jaw tightens again. Thankfully, before I could do anything rash, Jimmy already moved out of the doorway, grabbing me to walk with him. I looked back to see Thomas' expression shifting into a sour and bitter expression before shutting the door. We didn’t say anything to each other as we walked.

  Instinctively, we moved to the back of the school where most people in our grade hung out. There was a sand area where there was some playground equipment such as slides, monkey bars and a seesaw. I stopped walking, but Jimmy continued going up the slide.

  “What do you want?” Jimmy said in a dry voice.

  I nearly cringe, so we’re going right into it, huh? I swallowed a lump in my throat. I always wondered what I was going to say to Jimmy. I spent nearly all night trying to think of all the right words to say. But now? I felt like a bumbling, speechless fool.

  Jimmy looks back, regarding me coldly. “Well?”

  I suppose I'd better rip the bandage off now; dancing around it will just waste time. I cleared my throat.

  “I know…that your father, Thomas, is hurting you physically.”

  The playground suddenly feels too quiet. No birds chirping or the usual sounds in nature. Only the soft wind blows on Jimmy’s hair. Speaking of, despite revealing the fact that I knew about what’s going on inside the Bullard household, he seemed composed. Not even tense.

  In fact, he doesn't even look surprised. He just exhales through his nose as I told him the weather.

  “So you figure it out.” Jimmy looks at the blue sky. “Congrats.”

  I blinked. Is that all he’s going to say?

  “That’s it?” I ask. “You’re not even going to deny it?”

  Jimmy shrugs. “I always peg you as someone smart, Armstrong. You’re pretty mature for a kid younger than me. Besides, what's the point?”

  The wind picks up again. Sand scratches against metal. Cold sweat hit my nape as I swallowed another lump in my throat.

  Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

  “Jimmy—”

  “You’re the one who called them, right?” He cut me off.

  He turns fully now, sitting at the top of the slide, one leg bent, one hanging off the edge. His swollen eye looks worse in daylight.

  “What?”

  “Child services,” Jimmy said, shifting his gaze to the empty field instead of at me. “You’re smart. You’ve been staring at me all week like you’re trying to solve a puzzle. Then suddenly they show up at my house.”

  My throat goes dry. But I solemnly nodded and confirmed his theory. We stayed silent, the wind blowing past my ears and hair. It was peaceful but at the same time tense. He finally looks at me, his gaze not one of anger or sadness, just an exhausted one.

  “I really wish you didn’t do that.”

  “I was trying to help,” I said quietly.

  “I know.”

  I felt guilty; a part of me wanted to run away, to return to my comfort zone of being the invincible Red Justice. Saving people and stopping crime, not talking to someone who seemed not to want to be saved.

  “They asked questions,” He says. “I told them I fell.”

  “Why did you lie?” I asked, despite knowing the truth.

  Jimmy released a sigh. “Listen, my family problems aren't your business. So what if my dad lays his hands on me? Families punish kids when they’re doing something wrong, right?”

  I scoffed.

  “Oh yes, because parents giving kids a black eye is so normal that I see it in school every day.”

  Jimmy huffed. “Whatever, Armstrong, it doesn't change the fact that my situation doesn't involve you.”

  “It does involve me, I’m your friend!”

  Jimmy blinked, looking surprised. His mouth quivered, and he looked away from me.

  “You're not my friend.”

  Ouch, that stung. Like I actually recoiled slightly. Sure, we didn’t have the best moments together, and we didn’t bond or text as much as I do with Emily. But I couldn’t help but see Jimmy as a friend despite everything being weird. I shook my head, not wanting to give up.

  “It doesn’t matter whether you’re my friend or not, I’m not just going to ignore someone getting hurt because they told me it's none of my business!”

  I released a frustrated sigh. “Listen, Jimmy, I get you’re scared, and I don’t blame you, especially since if you report him, Thomas wouldn’t be able to pay for your mom’s health.”

  My words made his eyes widen, though it didn’t take long for them to narrow. He jumped from the slide and marched threateningly before stopping just a hair’s breadth away. He was pretty tall for only a kid a year older than me, but I stood my ground stubbornly. More big dudes tried intimidating me; by comparison, Jimmy looked like a small kitten. Jimmy glared at me harshly.

  He opened his mouth to say something before hesitating. After a few moments of internal struggle, he says something:

  “How did you know?”

  “That’s…” I started. “...I have a family member who accesses records at the hospital. That’s all I’m going to say.”

  “You-!” Jimmy swallowed. “You can’t just break my privacy like that, what’s wrong with you!?”

  “I didn’t mean to,” I said, half-lying.

  I mean, I didn’t tell Gavin to dig into the Bullard family files.

  “Look, it doesn’t matter how I found out. What matters is that the reason you’re recovering for your dad is that he won’t be able to pay for your mom’s treatment, which might lead the hospital to pull the plug on her, right?”

  “That’s-!” He tries to deny it, but takes a few steps, looking away with a frustrated and shamed expression.

  His hands balled into a fist. I tried to put a hand on his shoulder, but he shook it off. I released a deep sigh. It's time to tell him, now or never.

  “You don’t have to worry about her treatment anymore,” I say.

  His face met mine. It was one of disbelief, looking like I’ve gone insane, and honestly, I don’t blame his reaction. Before he could say anything, I moved the conversation forward by telling him about a family member with connections. Money won’t be a problem anymore, as they cover all the expenses of his mother’s treatment. He looked hopeful, but was guarded.

  “Oh, yes and how long will your generous family member support us? What my mom needs isn’t exactly cheap.”

  “As long as it takes.”

  “That’s not an answer.”

  I grit my teeth. “For good. It’s not charity that runs out next week. It’s not a one-time donation. You don’t need to protect your father anymore.”

  He bit his lip. “No.”

  “No?”

  “You’re lying.”

  “I’m not.”

  “You’re a kid,” He snaps. “You don’t just hand thousands of dollars because you want to help out a stranger.”

  “But I’m not a stranger,” I say. “You’re my friend.”

  He became silent. He’s conflicted, I don’t know if that’s good or not. At least he’s debating whether to report Thomas or outright reject me; that’s somewhat good news. I just need to push more.

  I step forward slightly. “It’s real, Jimmy. You don’t have to protect him anymore.”

  He freezes at that. Then his jaw hardens. Before his face shifted into a more sombre one. Hot tears spilled from his eyes.

  “He’s still my dad.” He croaks.

  “I know…” I say as I put my hand on his shoulder, he didn’t reject it this time.

  “He’s hurting you. You know a parent should never hurt a child, and don’t tell me it's just a punishment. You’re smart enough to know the difference.”

  “He’s not always like that,” Jimmy counters. “Sometimes he’s fine. Sometimes he’s just stressed. The hospital calls. The bills stack up. He drinks too much and—”

  “And hit you,” I finished flatly.

  His lip quivered, and tears leaked from his eyes. “He doesn’t mean it.” He mutters.

  “That doesn’t give him the right.”

  “He’s trying,” Jimmy insists. “He’s the only one keeping her alive.”

  “Not anymore,” I say firmly.

  He shakes his head again. “You don’t just replace someone like that.”

  “But-”

  “Look, Ben, I really appreciate what you're trying to do, but…even after everything, I still love my dad. He used to be so kind and charming. Everything changed when my mom got that stupid disease.”

  Was he really? I thought back to the picture I saw in the Bullard household. The three of them look genuinely happy. Was Thomas really a different person back then? I closed my eyes.

  Regardless, he has to be thrown behind bars. What happened to his wife is tragic and stressful, but taking his problems on Jimmy is not okay. It will never be okay.

  “I’m not saying he’s pure evil,” I finally say. “I’m saying he’s hurting you. And that’s not okay.”

  Jimmy looks away.

  “He doesn’t mean to.”

  “Intent doesn’t erase what happened.”

  His hands tremble slightly.

  “He’s under pressure.”

  “And he’s taking it out on you.”

  He flinches at that. Biting his lip. Eyes wild, probably thinking of more excuses to defend his old man.

  “If you really love him… then letting this continue isn’t helping him.”

  Jimmy doesn't respond to my words, only looking down with a defeated expression.

  “You said he’s stressed,” I say. “You said the hospital, the bills, everything is crushing him. If that’s true, then this isn’t sustainable. He’s already crossing lines. What happens when it gets worse?”

  This made Jimmy freeze, his eyes widening in horror as he looked up at me.

  “You’re wrong about me.” I admitted.”I’m not very smart, at least not in these types of situations. But I know this much…things will get worse if things are allowed to continue.”

  Jimmy swallows a lump in his throat. As if he was forced to swallow some disgusting celery. He was so pale that, in fact, his breathing became unsteady. I moved closer, allowing him to lean on me in case he passes out, because honestly, I don’t blame him if he does. Everything is happening quite suddenly.

  “If he keeps spiralling, if no one steps in, he’s going to become someone even you won’t recognize,” I continue. “And then what? You’ll still say he ‘Doesn’t Mean It’?”

  Honestly, I wish I could stop. After all, he becomes paler and more troubled the more words spill from my lips. But I knew he needed to hear this; he had to. For his sake.

  “You're reporting him…” I say carefully.

  “...Isn’t betrayal. It’s an intervention. It’s stopping him before he turns into something you can’t defend anymore, an irredeemable monster.”

  He released a choked-up sob, gripping my arms tight. “I don’t want that!” He screeches, surprising me by pulling me into a hug.

  After a few moments of him sniffling and sobbing, I returned the gesture to hopefully calm him, which did, thankfully.

  “I’m tired, Ben.” He chokes out. “I’m so tired.”

  The words felt like a sledgehammer that crashed into my very soul and heart. I patted his back softly.

  “I know,” I whisper.

  “I can’t keep pretending it doesn’t hurt.”

  “You don’t have to.”

  “I can’t keep lying.”

  “You don’t have to.”

  “I’m scared,” he admits, almost ashamed.

  “I’m here.”

  We stood there silently. Embracing. Letting the cool weather and multicoloured leaves from the fall season whistling pass us. I didn’t know how long we would stay like that. Eventually, we sat down on the grass just a couple of feet away from the sand. We were staring at the blue sky. Jimmy sat in a fetal position.

  I had a hand that rested on his shoulder to comfort him.

  “I’ll… I’ll talk.” He says shakily.

  I gripped his shoulder tighter. “You’re doing the right thing,” I say, encouraging him, which earns a broken laugh from him.

  “I don’t feel like it.”

  “...”

  We sat there, both of us cooling down after our intense talk. Then I felt him looking at me, which made me glance at him. His expression was in his default dry face. Then his lips twitched, and he brightened up. Not a sarcastic or a sad one, but an honest-to-god smile formed.

  “Thank you, Ben. Really, thank you.”

  I relaxed, smiling back. “Don’t mention it.”