A bright and sunny day came, greeting the city with its inviting warmth. A week had passed since the battle at the Waybright Warehouse. Daniel’s family was reunited in his apartment as Charles and Charity were discharged from the hospital. The husband and wife, wrapped in bandages, lovingly embraced their daughter in a vise-like grip as if their lives depended on her touch.

  "Daddy, Mommy, you're hurting me," Hope said.

  Charity released Hope."We're sorry, darling."

  "I'm not. I want to hold you like this forever."

  "Charles." Charity raised an eyebrow.

  Charles released Hope, and she swiftly ran to Daniel and Karen. She hugged Karen and kissed Daniel on the cheek.

  "I love you, Karen. And I love you too, Uncle Daniel."

  "Sweet girl," Karen said, wiping a tear from her eye.

  "Thanks, kid," Daniel said.

  "But, Uncle Daniel, may I read more of your manuscripts?"

  "You'll be first to read them when they're ready."

  "Thank you."

  Hope raced back to her parents and into Charity's arms.

  Charity placed a hand on Hope’s cheek. "Darling, before we go, you should know there's a large number of nice police officers and FBI agents waiting to ask Mommy and Daddy some questions."

  "FBI?"

  "They're a kind of police officer. But afterward, you'll take a week off from school. So we can enjoy some extra family time," Charles said.

  "Daddy, can Karen and Uncle Daniel come too?"

  "You care about them both that much?"

  Hope shook her head yes.

  Charles slowly approached Daniel. "Daniel, I had planned to discuss this with you later, but I no longer have the will to wait."

  "I'm listening."

  "It's no secret that I've been harsh on you since you were released.” Charles coughed. “But no more if you're willing to accept my apology.”

  “W-what brought this on?”

  “All of this.” Charles extended his hand to Daniel for a handshake. “I thought you were unrepentant in your sins. But you cared so well for Hope, and now I’ve seen what true remorseless evil looks like."

  "It's a deal r— Chuck." Daniel sluggishly accepted the handshake. “Let’s just try to get along for the sake of the kid.”

  “It appears we’ve finally reached an agreement.”

  "It's so good to see this feud over. Would you please stay for breakfast? I'm making pancakes and tea," Karen said.

  "Daddy, Mommy, can we?"

  "Of course, darling. We would love to."

  "Perhaps just tea for me, thank you." Charles looked toward Karen, forming a slight smile.

  ***

  Karen underwent a labor of love the next day. She helped Daniel prepare for his new work, happily ironing his black business jacket and tie. As she was finished, she gave them to her profusely sweating beloved with a kiss on his cheek.

  "This is it, angel, Dynamo Corp comics." Daniel dropped into a chair, tightly gripping his face with both hands. “Don’t blow it, Don’t blow it, Don’t blow it.”

  “Your self-confidence is rather admirable, my love.” Karen surrendered a small laugh.

  “I could say the same about your sense of humor,” Daniel retorted.

  Karen tittered. “Well, excuse me for having a bit of fun.”

  Daniel removed his hands from his face and struggled to tie his tie, but Karen quickly helped, wrapping it around his neck neatly.

  "You'll do wonderfully, love."

  “You really think so?”

  Karen shook her head yes.

  “Y-yeah you’re right.” Daniel took a heavy breath. "Old Daniel would have found some way to screw this up, but new Daniel won't, or at least I hope not."

  "Of course, you won't." Karen kissed Daniel.

  "Thanks."

  "Don't mention it. But you could do one thing for me in return.”

  “Anything. Just name it, angel.”

  “Why don't we invite my family over this weekend to celebrate?"

  Daniel's eyes widened as he became pale white."What? Why?"

  "Because they're my family, and I'm tired of hiding this from them."

  "Karen, you know how they'll react when they learn we're back together. Especially your Pop and brother."

  "I'm aware. But you're a changed man, so I won't be ashamed of loving you."

  "But—"

  Karen kissed Daniel passionately.

  "Fine." Daniel groaned.

  “Many thanks, love.”

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  Later, the couple prepared to leave the apartment, stopping by the door as Daniel slowly moved his trembling hand to the doorknob.

  "Outside this door is the beginning of a new life," Daniel said.

  "You're practically a man reborn."

  "Let's do this. And say hello to your friends for me."

  "Can do."

  Daniel put forward a valiant effort to open the door, but as he turned the knob, a flood of anxiety, strong as a river during a hurricane, rushed through him, paralyzing his arm. But as he struggled to turn the doorknob Karen aided him as she held his hand. The couple sluggishly opened the door, leaving together.

  ***

  Daniel walked through the busy halls of Dynamo Corps Comics as electric lights overhead illuminated the interior. He had to remind himself several times that he wasn’t dreaming. The young man could still remember the days of his childhood reading the company’s comics beside Jack and Sandra. As he looked from side to side, continuously pulled one way or another by the chatter of his new colleagues, he witnessed the many offices for the creative teams lining the white walls. He saw the faces of numerous artists he had admired over the years, and he tripped over himself as a dizzy spell from the excitement hit. Still, his guide through the chaos caught him before he fell to the floor.

  “You okay, kid?”

  Daniel’s guide was Juliet, a red-haired Caucasian woman of thirty years, his new editor.

  Daniel chuckled. “I suppose I’m just a bit star-struck. I’ve been a fan of a lot of the writers here for a long time.”

  “Well, I suppose I can’t blame you. But still, try to act a little more professional.” Juliet tapped Daniel on the shoulder. "If you're as clumsy as you are walking as you write, we might have a problem, kid.”

  Daniel vigorously shook his hands. "N-no, please. Everything will be aces, I swear."

  Juliet giggled. "Relax. I'm just messing around."

  "Oh, great." Daniel breathed a sigh of relief.

  The two continued their journey. But as Daniel looked at Juliet, a heavy question weighed on him. And as the burden of not knowing became too great, Daniel took a deep breath."Excuse me." Making Juliet stop again.

  "I'll regret this, but can I ask a question?"

  "Well, color me interested. I'm all ears."

  "When you hired me, didn't my record bother you? I mean, did you have to have some meeting to decide if I was worth it?"

  Juliet looked from left to right, ensuring no one else was in earshot. "You want to know that bad?"

  Daniel, after a moment of thought, nodded yes. Juliet signaled to Daniel to come closer. And as he did, she put her mouth to his ear to speak.

  "The contest was a flashy way to snatch up unknown talent from around the country. The sales for some of our major titles were declining, so the higher-ups wanted to bolster our catalog before anyone caught on. Especially with the competition at Spectacular Comics gaining traction."

  "I still don't understand. What about my record?"

  "Kid, they think you're work is profitable. Someone could give pictures of you with nuclear weapons, and they would tear them up. Pay someone enough, and they would walk barefoot into hell."

  Daniel quickly frowned, hearing Juliet.

  "Oh, god. Are you upset now?"

  Daniel sighed."How can I? Desperate times call for desperate measures."

  "I like where your head's at, kid." Juliet playfully tapped Daniel on the shoulder.

  Later, Daniel and Juliet entered their destination, Daniel's new office. Inside, they found his co-workers engrossed in a comic book. Michael, a light brown-skinned Hispanic with jet-black hair, was twenty-six. And Miyamoto, a pale-skinned Japanese man of twenty-four.

  "Oh, boys," Juliet said.

  The two quickly stopped reading the book, hurrying to Daniel and Juliet.

  "Good morning, Miss Williams," Miyamoto said.

  "Is this guy our new writer?" Michael asked, pointing at Daniel.

  Miyamoto quickly hit Michael on the shoulder. "Manners?"

  "It's okay, Miyamoto. Time is money, after all. But to answer your question, yes, this is Daniel Jones."

  Daniel extended his shaking arm to the guys for a handshake. "Nice to meet you." Michael accepted the gesture, but Miyamoto instead put his hands on his sides, choosing to give Daniel a slight bow.

  "I have some other work to do right now, but why don't you boys get acquainted? I'll be back in about two hours, and we'll discuss the book then. Fair?" Juliet asked.

  Everyone shook their heads in agreement, and Juliet quickly left.

  "So Danny, tell me, where'd you get the idea for Jacquard? I mean, a medieval knight going on adventures in space is out there in a good way," Michael said.

  Daniel chuckled. "Life experience."

  "Don't be like that." Michael lightly hit Daniel on the shoulder.

  "How about we talk about actually making the book? Who's doing art and lettering?" Daniel asked.

  "I do the lettering and coloring while Michael handles art," Miyamoto said.

  "Can I see some?"

  Miyamoto quickly handed Daniel some of their work. His eyes widened with excitement, thoroughly scanning the paper.

  "Beautiful."

  "Why, thank you," Michael said.

  "It looks ripped straight out of a Jerome Shuston book."

  "Well, it should. He's one of my biggest influences."

  "Daniel, we were reading one of his best books when you came, the noble Saga of Kent Clarkson. Would you like to join?" Miyamoto asked.

  "Would I?" Daniel laughed.

  Miyamoto handed Daniel the book, and the three men swiftly lost themselves, reading through it.

  ***

  Lang Cafe was a small family-owned establishment that would enjoy a maximum of over a hundred customers at its best. It was the favored recreational location for a trio of long-time friends since high school. Karen enjoyed a delicious meal with her two friends. She and Carol devoured the chocolate chip cookies on the table before them, swiftly putting one in their mouths after the next as they drank herbal tea to wash it down. But as Sharon, a caucasian with short brown hair of twenty-four years, slowly ate a vanilla muffin, she released a monstrous burp."Excuse me." And the two women started joyfully laughing like young children, making Sharon red-faced.

  "Stop it," Sharon said.

  "How can we? You're too funny," Karen said.

  "You took the words right out of my mouth."

  "It's not funny. Burping like that is so unladylike."

  "Lighten up, my friend." Karen tittered

  "Karen, we don't share the same sense of humor."

  "Sharon, I think it's time to learn.”

  “She’s right. Lighten up. We're celebrating Karen's new job," Carol said.

  "That reminds me.” Karen took another bite of her cookie. “Carol, have I thanked you for helping me get that secretary job? It got us through our share of hard times."

  "What are friends for?" Carol hugged Karen.

  Sharon slowly raised her cup of tea in the air, surprising Karen and Carol.

  "What's this about?" Karen asked.

  "Me playing ball. Shall we toast?"

  "To Karen's success," Carol said.

  The women happily joined in on the toast, knocking their cups against each other's. And the three quickly drank their tea.

  "I couldn't have done it without your love and support, my friends."

  "Karen, I have to know, was the transition smooth?" Sharon asked.

  "Yes, the staff has been so kind. But there is this one little boy who struggled with the first module. I should keep an eye on him."

  "Great to hear. It feels surreal seeing you happy and free of that loser, Daniel."

  Hearing Sharon, Karen choked on her tea as she and Carol shared a look at each other.

  "Sharon, there's something we should tell you," Carol said.

  "What?"

  "Daniel and I a—.” Karen swallowed as she formed a crooked smile at Sharon. “W-we're back together."

  "Excuse me?" Sharon shouted.

  "I know, I know. But he's changed for the better. I couldn't help but give him another chance."

  “It’s true,” Carol added.

  "I don't believe this. Carol, you knew about this and still let it happen?"

  "She had nothing to do with it. He's a good man, and I love him."

  "Karen, he's a gangster."

  "Ex-gangster. He's reformed," Karen retorted.

  Sharon rose from her seat, screaming and drawing the attention of the other patrons in the cafe.

  "I'm in a loop. I'm in a godforsaken time loop. I don't know how many times I've heard this piece. Have you forgotten all the times he hurt you, the crimes he's committed?"

  Karen quickly rose from her seat.

  "No. Because how could I? Love, rarely misses an opportunity to torture himself."

  "Oh, and that makes it better?"

  "Sharon, he’s acknowledged his wrongs and committed to never repeating them."

  "You seriously think that?"

  "I know that." Karen stomped her foot.

  Sharon took a deep breath."Karen, I can't take this anymore. If you stay with him, our friendship is over."

  Karen's eyes widened as her body shook like a cold breeze washed over her."No. Sharon, I swear to god he's a good man."

  Sharon swiftly exited the cafe, leaving Karen crying as Carol comforted her, hugging her.