Author's note: Hello all, it's been a very long time since I have posted anything. I am sorry for that, I have been busy and trying to produce something worthy of reading. So I came up with this story for December 7th, 1941 in honor of heroes. Now I know it's not based on Pearl Harbor but it is based on courage and doing what is right. Also I would like to announce that I am heading up a project to create an AATC youtube miniseries done by fans. You can be part of the history and making of the cartoon by coming to our forum, topic/75634/75875397/4/#76626277(remove the space). Hope to see you there!
Simon was in high school and struggling, he didn't fit in at all, and even the nerds rejected him because he was too nerdy. Which was really sad. He had contemplated many times about taking himself out of the picture but could never bring himself to do it. He felt like he had no purpose in life and that he was just everyone's door mat. He had been used by his friends, family and girls.
It was one day after school that he had had an especially bad day and was feeling bummed out. He was walking home like he usually did as he hated taking the bus, plus it allowed him to exercise and clear his mind. However today would be a turning point for him.
Suddenly Simon heard an ear piercing, blood curdling scream from what sounded like a damsel in distress. Simon quickly made his way to the area where he had heard the scream. He heard it again, but this time it was muffled and chocked up unlike before.
It came from an alley way, he peeked around the corner and saw three guys trying to rape a young lady. Simon quickly pulled his head away from the sight. He closed his eyes and began to think.
"You can't do this. You'll be killed for sure." One voice said in his head.
"If you don't she'll be hurt and possibly killed. You need to go and help her." Another said.
Simon was having a war between common sense and his heart on what to do. Should he stand and fight and protect the young lady or run and get the cops?
"Cowards die a thousand deaths; heroes die once without fear or regret." The heart said.
"But running away to fight and live another day is the best policy." Logic said.
"If you don't act she's going to be raped by those men. It's a lot like being bullied and picked on only it scares you forever and causes permanent mental damage." The heart pleaded.
"Yeah, but they are gang bangers and you'll more then likely end up dead, and we both know you're a coward as you haven't taken a stand against anyone." Logic said.
"This is your defining moment, what are you going to do? Retreat and regret or fight for what is right? You have always found your life meaningless and useless. How many times have you wished for a hero? Well now's your chance to be a hero." The heart pleaded.
"You need to do this, if nothing else at least you will go down swinging and not by your own hand." Logic said relenting.
With that Simon closed his eyes very tight and began to make an angry face. He clenched his hands into fists and squeezed them as hard as he could into his palms; his knuckles began to get red as well as his face. He was trying to get very angry, anger was a source of power and caused adrenaline to give him strength and build up courage. He heard one last scream and this sent him over the edge, he let his rage and anger take over and he turned into the alley way and charged.
In front of him were three thugs, one holding her mouth shut with a knife held against her throat, another was holding her legs down and the third was standing over her.
They didn't know he was bearing down on them, when he was about twenty feet away Simon let out a war cry as if he was a savage. He wanted them to be taken by surprise and startled in order to give him an edge over them.
The guy standing over the girl stood up, Simon pulled back his right arm and then with fire in his eyes and a full head of steam cut loose with a terrific right arm hook which hit the guy squarely in the jaw. The blow sent the guy spiraling to the ground, the guy holding the young lady's legs stood up.
Simon did a jump kick and hit the guy in the stomach knocking the wind out of him; he then swung his right arm down as he was coming back down from the jump kick and hit him in the back of the neck with a lot of energy. The guy hit the ground with a solid thud.
The third guy who had the young lady stood up and shoved her at Simon and then came at him with the knife. Simon grabbed the young lady and swung her around pushed her into a pile of trash bags to soften her landing. He then swung around and grabbed the guy's arm as he was bringing the knife down with the handle and blade at the bottom in a stabbing motion.
Simon twisted his wrist with all his might and the thug dropped the weapon, Simon then slammed him into the wall as hard as he could. He then pulled him back and flattened his hand and karate chopped him right in the neck, he coughed and sputtered for air and then fell to the ground.
The first guy Simon had attacked stood up and pointed a weapon at Simon, KABOOM. There was a bright yellow flash from the muzzle of the pistol followed by the loud boom. Simon quickly grabbed the guys arm with both hands and slammed both his hands down as hard as he could and brought up his left knee at the same time. KRRSMASH! The loud sound was the result of Simon breaking the man's arm. He then bashed him against the wall head first. The guy fell slowly down knocked out by final blow.
Simon looked around him making sure none of the thugs were going to get up and try to get him or the girl. They were all rolling around and whimpering like beat dogs. Simon breathed a sigh of relief; he then went to inhale and calm down but as he tried to take a deep breathe he felt a dull pain and restriction.
He exhaled and tried again, he still felt the restriction and this time a sharper pain. "Maybe I got punched and didn't realize it?" Simon thought to himself trying to remain calm and positive.
All of a sudden he felt short of breath and a little dizzy, then suddenly he fell to his knees and began to breath rapidly. They were fast short breaths as if something was pressing on his chest restricting his ability to breath. He bent over so his hands were on the ground as well as his knees. His adrenaline was subsiding and he began to feel an immense pain in his stomach, a pain he had never felt before in his life. Simon wasn't sure why he was in pain, he thought he was ok.
Simon rolled onto his back and wiggled his way to the wall and propped his back up against it. He then looked down and saw that he had been shot in the gut. Simon closed his eyes and began to quickly search his encyclopedia of a brain for information.
When he found what he was looking for a scowl formed across his face and then a sad expression soon followed. (Keep in mind this whole thing has happened in a matter of minutes.)
The young lady timidly emerged from her hiding spot and sees the carnage of her brave hero whom she has yet to meet. She makes her way slowly looking for her hero, she stumbles upon a young man who has been shot but doesn't look too bad.
"Are you the guy who saved my life?" She asked kindly.
"I am indeed." Simon struggled to speak calmly and hide his pain.
"I've already called the cops and there's an EMS on the way. I want to thank you for what you did." She said sitting next to him.
"It's nothing really." Simon said smirking a little thinking about the irony of his life.
"I can't thank you enough, my name is Jeanette. What's yours?" Jeanette asked sweetly.
"My name is Simon." Simon said struggling to breath.
"Are you ok?" Jeanette asked concerned.
"OF COURSE I'M NOT OK!" Simon said in his head. "I could be better." He told her.
"I'm sorry for all of this. It's all my fault." Jeanette said blaming herself.
"No, I am the one that stepped in at my own risk. I knew the odds weren't in my favor. But I am at least partially successful; I did manage to protect you." Simon said now visibly showing his struggle to breathe.
"You just hang in there. You can't die on me. I just met you; you're the first guy who has cared." Jeanette pleaded.
"Don't worry, I am not going anywhere." Simon said with great effort.
"So how bad is it?" Jeanette asked.
"It's just a flesh wound I think." Simon lied; he knew it was a gut wound. He also knew that the odds of him living were very slim, even with the medicine and doctors today there was still a fifty perfect death rate. He also felt warm salty blood building up in his mouth. His lungs were filling with blood. He knew he was a goner.
"Oh thank God the medics are here!" Jeanette said relieved.
Simon didn't respond as he had fallen unconscious.
At the Hospital.
"Mr. Seville?" A doctor asked out loud in a busy waiting room.
"Ye…yes?" A teary eyed Dave said.
The Doctor walked over to him, "Your son Simon is a hero in my book. I wish I could give you good news. But I am afraid it's dismal at best. He suffered an awful lot of internal injury. As a matter of fact I don't even know why he's alive right now." The doctor said bleakly.
"Oh my GOD! Why Simon? Why did it have to be someone so smart and caring?" Dave said burying his face into his hands.
"I would like you to meet someone Mr. Seville." The doctor said motioning for him to follow.
They walked through several doors and finally into an ICU center and then into one of the rooms. There was Simon and a young lady who was wearing glasses, was about Simon's height, a messy bun and very pretty.
"I would like you to meet Jeanette, Jeanette Mr. Seville. He's the boy's father." The doctor said introducing them.
"I'm sorry about your son. It's all my fault." Jeanette said looking down.
Dave walked over to her and hugged her unexpectedly. "It's not your fault, he was doing what he felt was right and he was willing to risk his life to save yours. I can't ask for a better son or a more worthy cause to die for. Its one thing to die a pointless and senseless death and it's another to die standing up for what you believe in." Dave said with a sense of pride in his voice.
It was then that Jeanette's family came rushing in.
"Jeanette are you ok?" Both of her sisters said at the same time.
"I'm fine, unfortunately." Jeanette said sadly.
"Well I am glad that you are ok." Ellie said.
"I wish we would have walked with you." Brittany said.
"It's ok. I'm just sorry this had to happen." Jeanette said turning toward Simon.
"Visiting hours are over." A nurse said poking her head into the room.
With that the group began making there way out except for Jeanette who couldn't tear herself away from Simon. She looked at him expecting something to happen.
Simon opened his eyes; they roamed the room and then locked his eyes on Jeanette. He the said, "Jeanette is that you?" with a very weak and raspy sounding voice.
Jeanette a little startled quickly replied, "Oh Simon, I didn't think you were going to come out of the coma this quickly." She said with a little happiness in her voice.
Simon smirked a bit, "Jeanette come closer please?" Simon asked and Jeanette got closer. "Thank you." Simon said very gently then closed his eyes.
After he closed his eyes his body failed and his heart stopped and the code blue alarm sounded loudly throughout the ICU. Just then Brittany showed up to pull Jeanette away; she grabbed onto the stunned girls arm and gently pulled her out of the ICU area.
Jeanette regained her senses and walked over to Dave who had heard the code blue alarm go off. "Why did Simon thank me?" Jeanette asked with a solemn tone.
"He was thanking you for letting his death and life be meaningful. You must have meant a lot to him to thank you. Such a tragic waste of youth." Dave said all of this without much emotion as he was trying to be strong for the young lady in front of him.
Without another word Dave slowly turned away from Jeanette and walked out of the waiting room towards his car all the while not showing emotion. He didn't want to make a scene in front of all these strangers. He didn't he even want to wait around for the medical staff to tell him his son was dead. He just wanted to get away from the whole messed up world.
Oh yeah did I mention this is a cliffhanger? Well it is and YOU get to CHOOSE how it ENDS! I have a poll up asking you what I should do, if you don't like the choices choose other and then tell me what you think it should be in a review. Hope you liked it!