《Paternum: A Superhero Story》2. 3. Scene 21

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Scene 21 - May 29th

Exterior City, Night

Quinn Kaufman

“So,” Canaveral said as we approached the compound again on the last leg of our patrol. “How are you feeling?”

I rolled my aching shoulders, glad for the brief pause. Best shape of my life or not, four hours of parkour was still quite a workout. “Tired and sore. Looking forward to taking a hot shower and falling into bed once we get back.”

“No, I mean about being a hero,” he clarified. “It’s been almost seven months, now - you ticked over your six month period weeks ago, all you’re waiting for is the monthly graduation ceremony tomorrow.” He paused. “About being a hero and, I guess, your life in general.”

I sighed. “I don’t know, dude. It’s been a long day.”

“No need to answer now,” he told me. “Just... think about where you’re at, you know? I remember you were having a lot of trouble deciding whether or not to join up, and... I just don’t want you to regret it, I guess.”

“I don’t regret it,” I promised him. “Honestly, having a little extra structure to my life - and less free time - has been a blessing. If I don’t have time to think, I don’t have time to get anxious or depressed, you know? And government-provided therapy has been nice to have.”

“I don’t know, but sure.”

“Besides, I don’t know that I’d have become such good friends with Holly if I hadn’t joined,” I said. “For that alone, becoming a hero has been one of the best choices I’ve ever made.”

Canaveral paused. “How’s she doing, by the way? With her parents?”

“She’s managing pretty well,” I told him. “I don’t remember much of the night that she confronted them, but she was pretty torn up when we got back. After a night of rest, though... well, she’s had a bad night or three where we ended up cuddling in the common room so that she could sleep, but for the most part she’s doing well.”

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He sighed. “I just wish I had known earlier.”

“I know what you mean.”

“In retrospect, there are things that should have clued me in, but... well, she would always just say not to worry about her,” he mused. “And I trusted her, so I didn’t. But it turns out that I should have worried.”

“You can’t help someone who isn’t ready to be helped,” I said firmly. “I think Holly was just ignoring it up until recently, when the whole Excalibur incident stepped on her mental health, and she realized that she was old enough to actually do something about it. Before that, she wouldn’t have accepted any help. Hell, she barely took mine.”

He nodded, but still seemed pensive. “That’s true... unless someone is willing to make a change, you can’t do much for them.”

I tilted my head. “You’re not thinking about Holly any more, are you?”

“...no,” he admitted. “I’m thinking about Max.”

“...it’s been a few months since he went into the asylum, hasn’t it?” I asked. “How is he?”

“He’s... improving, apparently, but it’s slow. The damn thing really did a number on him, and he wouldn’t let Peregrine help...”

I put a comforting hand on his shoulder. “Hey, he’s improving, right? Even if it’s slow, progress is progress.”

He nodded. “That’s true. I’m just worried about him.”

“Well, you’re a worrier,” I pointed out. “You try to be all happy-go-lucky, but we all know how much you care about and worry for us.”

“We?”

“The Journeymen. Which... I guess won’t be a we for much longer, huh?”

“Just twelve hours or so,” he agreed.

“...it’s another big change,” I said, looking off into the distance. “I’ve had a couple of those recently. Developing superpowers, my dad dying, becoming a superhero... hell, I graduated from college last week. Thanks for coming to graduation, by the way. I appreciate you being there, even if Miriam was too busy with her healing work.”

“Of course.”

“This will be another change,” I acknowledged. “But... I think it’s one I’m ready for, for once.”

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