Police sirens filled the street. Some people watched from their windows as what was currently happening unfolded. Though some actually left their homes to watch the scene unfolding. It felt uncomfortable; these people really shouldn’t watch this. But I suppose I can’t blame them for being curious. If the roles were reversed, I would be watching like a hawk.

  Child services and the police are at the scene. One of the officers is talking with Gavin, who is speaking on my behalf. Meanwhile, Jimmy and I sat on the curb watching everything. A warm blanket covered Jimmy as he shook, his face pale, while my hand rested on his shoulder. I won’t get many details about what happened.

  We went to the police station and explained everything that had happened. Gavin came to speak with the adults and even claimed he had proof of Thomas’s abuse. I don’t know what kind of video he took, but I wasn’t interested in finding out. We returned to the Bullard household to confront Thomas. But to my surprise, he didn’t put up a fight and admitted everything.

  It was strange, I expected him to crash out, for his mouth to foam with saliva and scream out curses. Instead, he looked defeated and maybe even guilty. Jimmy whimpered as he watched his dad being placed in handcuffs. I rubbed his back in a weak attempt to comfort him. Though I don’t think it's really effective, I doubt anything is. Watching your father, even if he deserves to be placed in handcuffs, must be traumatizing.

  Their eyes met. Both of them paused for a long moment. Then his gaze shifted to me. I tried to detect any hint of malice, coldness, or rage in blue eyes, but I couldn’t find any. Maybe he’s keeping it to himself to look more presentable. Then he nods my way.

  I blinked. The way he looked at me. It wasn’t too different from the gaze of the people I saved. It was one of thankfulness and gratefulness. Was he…thanking me?

  I didn’t realize I was glaring at him the whole time, but the look softened it. Without a fight, the officers put him behind their car. Maybe Jimmy was right that Thomas was a father at some point back then. The police car drove away, but there were several officers still at the scene. Gavin looked back at us briefly before returning to his conversation with one of the cops. I glance at Jimmy, who is staring at the ground.

  Not crying or shaking, but there was this emptiness about him. I bit my lip, wondering if getting involved was the right thing. I shook my head, no, what I did was right. Staying clear of it is something no hero should do. Even if things ended up like this, stopping Jimmy’s abuse is the right thing to do.

  Then, after a few seconds of being silent, Jimmy spoke.

  “I…” He swallows. “I need to say something.”

  We both looked at each other, making sure I kept my eyes on his blue ones to let him know that I was listening.

  “I’m sorry.”

  This made me blink. That was not what I was expecting.

  “For what?”

  “For everything. Shoving people around. For forcing everyone to give up their money.”

  He lets out a bitter sigh. “I hurt a lot of kids.”

  “You were trying to help your mom,” I say, shaking my head slightly. “You were forcing people to give money for her treatment. That’s not the same as being some psycho bully.”

  “No.” Jimmy’s jaw tightens immediately. “Don’t do that.”

  You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

  “Do what?”

  “Don’t clean it up for me. What I did to other kids has no excuse. I knew what I was doing. I knew some of those kids couldn’t afford to lose that money. It doesn't matter what the reason I did it. I hurt and abuse people.”

  He releases a depressing chuckle. “In a way that makes me like my old man, right?” He tried to joke, but the way he said it made it sound hollow.

  I was going to retort, but I stopped. Some of us agreed with his words. I felt sort of disgusted with myself for trying to defend Jimmy’s actions and, at the same time, being unable to comfort and deny his wrongdoings.

  “Yeah, I guess you did hurt a lot of kids. Including me.” I said finally. “But, you won’t be doing that again, now that your mother’s treatment is being handled.”

  “But-”

  I cut him off. “I understand feeling guilty for something…I hurt someone badly, too.”

  I cringed and bit my lip at the dark memory where I was Big Justice. When I wasn’t a hero, I was just some dumb kid with powers, aiming to be a celebrity rather than becoming an actual hero. With my recklessness, I got Emily’s dad hurt. Which led to Emily being a criminal for a brief period.

  “But I moved on and tried to own up to it. You wanna redeem yourself, then be a better person, and I know you can.”

  Jimmy looks at me for a long moment, chuckling, not a dark or a grim one. But an actual playful chuckle.

  “You really know what to say. Maybe you should give heroic speeches all the time, maybe you’ll get even more popular than Red Justice.”

  I laugh. “I doubt it.”

  After a couple of minutes. Gavin called Jimmy and said that he needed to speak with the officers in private. I was going to go with him, but Gavin shook his head.

  “He’s a strong kid, Ben,” Gavin says. “He can talk with the officers by himself.”

  I looked at Jimmy worriedly. But he seemed much more confident after our conversation and started speaking with the officers. Unfortunately, I didn't have super hearing in my toolset, so I could only imagine what Jimmy and the cops were talking about. Maybe something to do with the court or evidence? I didn’t really know.

  Jimmy walks back to me. I immediately search his face. He looks… okay.“Well?” I ask.

  He exhales.

  “I’m going to have to stay at the station for a bit.”

  My stomach drops. “What? Why? Did something—”

  “No, no,” He quickly says. “It’s just protocol. They need a full statement. Paperwork. They don’t want me going back into the house.”

  Oh. Fair enough, it's common sense. I didn’t know why I got worried for a second.

  “They called my uncle,” Jimmy adds.

  “Your uncle? Wasn't he a teacher in our school before he moved out for a better opportunity?"

  “Yeah. He’s coming to pick me up. I’ll move in with him.”

  I smiled. “That’s great, but…” I paused, realizing what that implies.

  “But I heard he lives in Sudbury, right?”

  Sudbury is a pretty big city. In fact, it's the largest city in Northern Ontario and the most populous municipality in the region; it's about a four-hour drive away from Harvest Hills. I’ve never been there.

  “Yeah.” Jimmy started rubbing his arm. “I’ll be moving in with him, which means a new school.”

  “When?” I ask.

  “Tonight I will stay at the station until he gets here. He left as soon as they called. It’s a four-hour drive, so…” He shrugs. “Late evening.”

  “That’s good though,” I say, feeling a tinge of sadness, after all,l I was hoping I could hang out with him more.

  “Fresh start. No more… all this.”

  “Yeah,” He agrees softly. “And I won’t have to face the other kids I bullied. It's cowardly that I’m running away without apologizing to them, but I think leaving town is for the best.”

  Things got quiet between us. I was glad for him. Really, a fresh start. With his mom’s treatment no longer a worry, and Thomas behind bars. He didn’t have to be the bully anymore; he could just be a normal kid interested in ecology.

  If he had stayed in Harvest Hills, no doubt he'd be alone at school. With him no longer a jerk, his two cronies will just ditch him to seek another douchebag to follow. And I doubt everyone will forgive Jimmy, so overall, having a fresh start is the best option for him. But still, I couldn’t help but worry for him.

  “Your uncle-”

  “Is good, you don’t have to worry about him, I promise.”

  That’s a relief. I released a sigh and patted his shoulder. Then Jimmy moved, hugging me again.

  “Thank you. For not giving up.”

  I pat his back. “You’re welcome.”

  Half an hour passed. Jimmy gives me a wave as he enters one of the police cars. I watched as they drove off into the sunset. Gavin puts a comforting hand on my shoulder. It didn’t take long for the car to leave my line of sight. Farewell, Jimmy Bullard. I hope your new life is better.

  “You did well, kid. You did well.” Gavin chimed.

  “What now?” I asked, looking at my godfather.

  He grins. “Now, we celebrate your success.”