Gift

Jeremy threw down the axe and knelt next to Mike. It didn't look good. An ugly gash ran across his body. His shirt was already stained and sticking to his body with the blood seeping from it. His breaths were staggered and broken by coughs. Traces of red flecked around his mouth.

"Mike! Oh god, Mike!" Jeremy looked up and down his wound. He'd never had to deal with something like this, he didn't know what to do. "Jesus, I… god, I don't-"

"Jer… Jeremy…" Mike's voice was weak, his gaze unfocused. "I'm… I'm sorry…"

"No, don't you dare start apologising! You're going to be okay! HELP! GUYS!" he cried. "Mike's down! He needs help!"

The words had barely left his mouth when he heard their rushing footsteps. Chica pushed past everyone else, kneeling by his side and grasping one of his hands.

"Mike! Mike, look at me, look at me!" She cupped his cheek, putting on a brave face. "We're… we're going to get you some help. It'll be okay, you'll be okay."

"Foxy, Bonnie, Clyde, Hermana, get to where everyone has been evacuated or find one of the officers," ordered Freddy. "If they've contacted emergency services, tell them we need an ambulance here."

"Aye-aye! Ye two-" He pointed to Bonnie and Clyde. "-stay inside the town and look fer any officers. Hermana and I will check among any of the townsfolk, might be a doctor or the like. Go!"

The four hurried off while Freddy knelt to examine Mike. He removed his jacket, tore it in half and handed it to Chica.

"Apply pressure usin' that. Use one half first and if it starts bleedin' through it, use the other half," he instructed. "I'm goin' to sit him up, make sure he can breathe easy. Mike? Son, it's Freddy. I'm just goin' to prop you up gently, my friend. Here we go."

Supported by what remained of the springlock suit, they were able to get him sitting. Chica pressed down on his wound, determined concentration taking over her face.

"Fre… Freddy…" Mike gasped. "Ch-Chica, I…"

"Now, don't you fret, son," said Freddy gently. "Don't try and speak, save your strength."

Billy was clinging tightly to Vevina who held him close, trying to keep his face shielded from the sight. Theodore, looking for something to do, was looking over Hawthorne's body.

"Well, we won't have to worry about him anymore," he remarked.

"For all the good it does us now!" Jeremy kicked Hawthorne's headless form. "Bastard! You murdering bastard!"

"Jeremy…" Theodore approached him cautiously, going to place an arm around him. "My boy, please-"

"No, don't even start! Don't tell me that I need to calm down! It's his fault that Mike is… if I'd stopped him sooner, if I'd been better he wouldn't have…" He lowered his head, his shoulders shaking. "God… I should have done better…"

"There now, that's nonsense." Theodore pulled him into a firm embrace. "I'm certain you did all that you could. The fault doesn't lie with you. It's alright."

They were joined by Billy, who tightly hugged Jeremy's legs. Free of her charge, Vevina went into the back of the truck, detaching herself from her harness. She looked warily at the body of Charlie, one hand clutching Goldie's core. Sticking out of the back of his head was the Purge device.

"He used it on himself," said Goldie in a monotone. "He used it to wipe out himself and Hawthorne."

"Did he now?" she murmured. She cast her single eye over his prone form, feeling oddly conflicted. "Well, isn't that something."

Goldie talked like she hadn't heard Vevina. "I wanted to reach him. I wanted to break him free, I didn't want him to do this. I never asked him to give his life, that wasn't what I wanted. I only meant to-"

"Oi." Vevina placed her hand on the core. "It was his choice. Nothing to be done about it now. Alright?"

She didn't respond right away. "Yes. Yes, of course. Thank you, Vevina."

"Anytime. Come on, reckon you're needed."

She picked her up and carried her out. Chica was looking more frantic, using the second layer of Freddy's coat to press against the wounded Mike. She looked like she was barely holding it together. Vevina couldn't blame her.

"They'll be back soon," she was saying. Whether it was to Mike or herself, it was hard to tell. "They'll be back a-and they'll bring help. You're going to be okay. You owe me a date night, remember?"

"Mike…" The whisper from Goldie rang in Vevina's ears as if she'd shouted it.

Chica's head whipped up. "Oh Goldie! Please, you have to do something!"

"Now, Chica," Freddy said quietly, "I don't think that-"

"But she always knows what to do, Freddy!" she argued. "There's always something, another plan or something you've kept to yourself. What do we do?"

"I… I don't know."

The words seemed to hit Chica with the force of a sledgehammer.

"You don't… know?" she repeated, like she was having trouble believing them. "But… you always know. You always-"

"Well not this time, okay?!" Goldie snapped. "I have access to every medical journal on the planet, but none of us have the skill or resources to act on it! Those that do still have to get here and I don't know if they'll get here in time! All I can do is sit here and blabber, while my best friend is dying so I'm sorry, Chica, I really am but I just… I don't know…"

Chica stared openly at Goldie's core. Vevina shifted uncomfortably, not liking that she was practically in the middle of this. Since Goldie had no face to look at, she almost felt like the stand-in. Eventually, she silently went back to keeping pressure on Mike's wound. She lowered her head so no one could see her face.

Vevina exchanged a silent look with Freddy. His expression didn't tell of anything good. Vevina could see Mike from here. His breathing seemed to be getting weaker by the second. His skin was drained of all colour and he looked to be having trouble keeping his eyes open. She was no doctor, but without some kind of extra help…

Anger bubbling inside her, she set Goldie down and stalked into the truck. She grabbed the Puppet's body, glaring down at it. His head lolled about lifelessly like a bizarre doll.

"That's another person's blood on your hands," she growled. "You can give all the excuses you like, that you didn't have a choice or it wasn't your fault, but that all means shit to me! You leave us to clean up your mess and just because you give your own twisted little life, you expect us to be grateful?! Well you know what I say to that?!"

The Puppet looked at her. She jumped back, fists clenched and ready for a fresh assault on her mind. But nothing came. He said nothing. He did nothing. He just… stared.

"Look at that, you can't even die properly," she hissed. No response came. "Well? What do want?" Still nothing. "Puppet, Charlie or whatever you call yourself, if you don't answer me right now-!"

"We are not Charlie."

Vevina's mouth clamped shut. That wasn't his voice. That wasn't even just a single voice, but many of them, speaking at once. He… they… gazed at Vevina like she was the most interesting thing in the world.

"Who… what are you?"

The Puppet, or whatever it was that was using his body, didn't answer. They looked down at their hands, turning them over and moving the fingers experimentally. They rose up carefully, stumbling a little as they did. Vevina started forward out of instinct. They touched her hand before she could withdraw.

A sense of calm and comfort washed over her when she did. It wasn't forced on her, like she was being controlled. Just that whoever or whatever they were seemed to radiate it like the rays of the sun. It felt just like when she'd gripped that balloon. Like when she'd freed…

"Who… who are you?"

It looked at her, into her. The other hand rested on top of hers with a touch gentle as a snowflake. She could feel them smiling. Not just in the Puppet's fixed grin of his mask, but shining in their eyes. For once, Vevina felt like she could let her guard down and relax. She returned their smile and carefully led them outside.

Those outside were so taken aback at the bizarre sight that they were initially speechless. Goldie was the one who broke the silence.

"This… this isn't possible. His core, i-it's empty."

"Perhaps not," murmured Freddy.

The Puppet awkwardly approached Mike. They lowered themselves, hands running over his head still encased partly in the suit. They tilted their head at him. They turned their gaze to Jeremy, pointing to something next to his feet.

"What?" He looked to see Hawthorne's detached head. "You want this?"

They nodded. Uncertainly, Jeremy picked it up and gave it to them, holding it like it was about to explode. The Puppet nodded slowly, then reached into the back of the head and removed something. The empty AI core. They examined it carefully, then extended the Puppet's connectors from his fingers and attached it to the core. Another set came out of their other hand and made for Mike.

"No!" Chica slapped them away. "Stop that, l-leave him alone!"

"We will not hurt him. We give life."

They gently took Chica's hand as well. Vevina could see that same sense of comfort and peace reach her as well. She took a deep breath and nodded. The Puppet responded in kind, then attached the connector to the area around the suit where Mike's head was closest.

He groaned quietly. His face scrunched up for a moment, but soon relaxed. As it did, the core began to shine with a new, radiant light. A blue like the clearest and most welcoming sky. It shone brighter and brighter, then suddenly flashed brilliantly they had to cover their eyes. It died down to a steady, consistent glow.

At the same time that it flashed, Mike Schmidt's eyes burst open and he gasped. A content smile settled on his face as his head fell back and he closed his eyes.

The Puppet disconnected from Mike and the core. They picked up the core gently and gave it to Chica. They placed their hand on hers once again, as if to say 'don't worry, it'll be okay.' Chica seemed to understand this unspoken message and nodded.

"Goodbye, everyone. Thank you…"

The glow in the Puppet's eyes winked out and the empty body fell next to Mike.

Awed, confused silence followed in the wake of this display. Chica looked down at the newly occupied AI core while Freddy pressed his ear to Mike's chest.

"No breathing." He pressed a finger to his neck. "No heartbeat. He's… he's gone."

"I don't think he is," Chica whispered. "I think… I think he's in here. In this."

"My god…" Goldie's voice was trembling. "They did it. They actually did it!"

"What did they do?" asked Jeremy. "Who was that? What just happened?"

"No time, need to act fast." Goldie went quiet for a moment. "Alright, the others have just made contact with some of the officers. I've told them to stand down and that Mike's going to be okay. I'll still have them bring medical aid our way regardless, Jeremy will need it."

"What can I do?" asked Jeremy.

"Rest. Get yourself out of that suit. Find your mother, make sure she's safe. You've done enough, Jeremy. We'll take care of the rest. It'll be alright. Clyde's still nearby, I'll have him come and escort you. Oh and Jeremy? Well done."

"Okay. Okay." He sighed, looking like a massive weight had been lifted off him. "Thanks."

"Thank you, my young friend." She waited until he sat himself on a nearby car before continuing. "Vevina, get Mike's body into the truck here. Keep it in the suit and push it into the back. Then do the same with the Nightmares and Hawthorne, throw in a few bots to give it good coverage. Chica, help her with it. . Leave Mike's core here."

Vevina's eyes widened. "What for? What good'll that do him?"

"Trust me, if we're right about what just happened, we need to get on damage control right now or Mike will never know any peace. Just go, I'll explain later."

The two synths looked unsure, but they did as they were asked. Chica passed the core to Freddy and hurried to complete their task. Goldie called over Billy and Theodore.

"You two, I need you to take mine and Mike's core back to the Fun Palace. Bring Charlie's body with you too, just to be certain. Get us plugged in to the equipment in Parts and Services. That room should have been protected from the fire. If the equipment's been damaged, take it back to Fred's house instead.. But you stay with us either way. Got it?"

Billy saluted. "Yes, Goldie!"

"We will proceed with all haste," said Theodore. He picked up the body while Billy took the cores.

"What about me?" asked Freddy.

"Bonnie, Clyde, Hermana and Foxy are on their way back to you. Explain what's happened as best you can, but tell them I'll answer all their questions later. If anyone in authority asks, the other synths are doing a sweep of the town for anybody who might be trapped or injured to bring them in for treatment and dispatching any stray bots. Coordinate with them to help with that. Answer any questions you can, but anything you're not certain about, leave it with me and I'll address it later."

He nodded. "I'll do my best. What about you, what will you be doing?"

"Well, like I said, we're going to have to start on damage control with what just happened and it starts with the man whose mind now occupies that core." She sighed again. "This is going to take some explaining…"

Officers Wilson and Blake had the task of staying closest to the perimeter they'd established outside the town. The man who called himself Freddy Fazbear had been right about the tasers. Once they'd started using them, the bots had been much easier to deal with. They'd avoided direct engagement and spread the word to the others, helping to evacuate people by the north road.

At one point, a whole exodus of people had arrived, being escorted by a woman with metal arms and legs coming out of her back. Wilson had to stop Blake's itchy trigger finger from firing a shot at her and they'd left her to smash up any bots they'd missed while getting people to safety. At one point when the majority of the townsfolk were safely behind the line, she'd made a beeline back for the town. Far from keen to tell such a person what she should be doing, they'd let her go.

The bots had stopped coming after a while. The occasional straggler were going in the same direction she had been. In the distance, they could faintly hear sounds of battle. Crashing. Yelling. Roaring.

Then, the sounds had died down. It didn't do anything to relax Wilson and Blake. That could mean things were soon going to be over. It could mean the bots had regrouped and would be on them in moments. Either way, the officers stood ready at the perimeter.

"Movement," Blake said.

"I see it," replied Wilson.

There was something approaching from up the street. Five figures. The dust made them hard to make out, but they didn't look like bots. One of them appeared lopsided. As they got closer, they saw why. It was another of the people like Freddy, with rabbit ears instead of bear's. He was carrying someone, a young man who looked like he'd been put through the ringer. She couldn't see any animal parts on him, so she assumed he must be a regular person.

At the group's head was Freddy Fazbear, minus the jacket he'd been wearing. The others were all equally as unique in appearance. A blonde woman on skates and feathers in her hair. A man with red hair fox ears and a tail, dressed like a pirate. Another woman with rabbit ears sprouting from her deep purple hair in a punk rocker's garb.

"Ah, Officer Wilson, Officer Blake," greeted Freddy when he reached them. "I'm glad to see you're both well. I'm pleased to report that the current crisis has passed. The robots have been subdued and will no longer present a threat."

Blake looked sceptical. "Really? That's it?"

"That's it," answered Freddy. "Granted, we will be disposin' of some of the more dangerous specimens, but they are all inactive and harmless. I still advise a measure of caution, but the worst is behind us. Have you been able to contact emergency services?"

Wilson nodded. "We just managed to get through now. Additional units are on their way from Greater Borealis, they'll be here soon. They've been investigating reports from a factory that these trucks came from. They've been having suspicions about the owner for a while now, was apparently mixed up with what happened with those kids but couldn't link anything to him."

"Then that's somethin' we may be able to have another discussion about," said Freddy. "But for now, this young man needs medical attention. Please inform your officers that my friends and I will be workin' with you to assist in whatever capacity we can."

"You can start by telling us exactly who you are," demanded Blake. "How were you able to do all that? What's with calling yourself the same name as the bear from that restaurant?"

"In a way, those questions both have the same answer: I am that bear. Rather, I am the man who appeared as that bear," replied Freddy. "Perhaps you might be familiar with my two bandmates here? This here's Foxy and Bonnie. Hermana and Clyde are from the restaurant who replaced ours."

"Hi there!" trilled the blonde woman.

"Okay, you do understand this raises far more questions than it answers," said Wilson.

"Of course. I will be happy to elaborate what I can, to you and to everyone. But for now, perhaps we can settle for makin' sure that everyone is safe and cared for. Will you allow us to assist with that?"

Blake and Wilson exchanged a look. While it was true there was a lot they didn't know, there was no denying that this man and his friends had been instrumental in stopping this attack. At least until backup arrived, they could definitely use the extra help.

"Alright," said Wilson, turning to Clyde. "Get him to where we have everyone else. We'll make sure he gets seen to. We'll radio ahead to the other officers, let them know what's happening."

"Very good. Clyde, get on that. Foxy and Hermana, work with the officers to sweep for anyone else who might not have made it out. Bonnie, stay with those already evacuated and help put their minds at ease. I'll remain with these two and help them make sense of things."

Everybody nodded and set off. Whoever they were, they were certainly well organised and responsive.

"Okay then, Fazbear," said Blake, "start talking."

Freddy chuckled. "Where to begin. Where to begin…"

The townsfolk of Little Borealis had been moved to a flat plain, just outside the town's border. A handful of officers were stationed with them to keep some measure of calm and protection. Fortunately, none of the robots had tried to follow them out or come after them. Even so, there was a measure of anxiety as people could hear faint sounds of crashing and roaring coming from the town's centre.

This was where Susie Thompson had found Wendy Parker. The two women had found each other, following a mass exodus of the people who'd been rounded up. Following a tearful kiss and embrace, Wendy had introduced Susie to Erica Fitzgerald. The two women told Susie all about how they'd been rescued by people who could punch robots without flinching, escorted by a woman with metal limbs sprouting out of her back. It was then that certain truths had been brought to light by Susie.

"So you knew about them?" Wendy asked Susie.

Susie hesitated before answering. "Not while I was working there, but after the restaurant shut down, Jeremy and I were contacted about it and-"

"Jeremy? You mean my son got mixed up in this as well?" Erica shook her head. "I knew he was keeping something from me, I just knew it!"

"And from me as well," added Wendy. "Why didn't you say anything?"

Susie threw her arms out. "What would I say? 'Oh hey Wendy, I just found out the animatronic performers I worked with are actually advanced androids with sentience and personality. Crazy right'?"

"I… see your point. But it still sounds like you were involved in something dangerous and I had no idea about it."

"I'm sorry, Wendy but after what happened with William, I just… I couldn't ignore what had happened. They gave me the chance to find out who was really responsible for what happened. You remember what it was like, especially with… well…"

Wendy looked away. "Yes. I remember. Okay, look. I'm… not exactly happy about it. But I understand why you did it and at least I know now. Just no more secrets between us, okay?"

"Okay." She hugged Wendy and the two shared a brief kiss before Susie looked at Erica. "Jeremy felt the same way about his brother. I know it's none of my business and it's between you two, but it was the only way that we could do something about it and we did."

Erica nodded. "You're right. That's a matter between me and my son. But thank you anyway."

"Hey Sue!" Bonnie was hurrying over. "Glad to see you're safe."

"You too! And you helped save Wendy. Thank you, Bonnie."

"Vev did the heavy lifting there, but sure, you're welcome. And hey, here she is!" She turned to Wendy. "Sue's told me a lot about you. I'm glad you made it out as well."

Wendy looked like she wasn't entirely certain of how to respond. She kept looking at Bonnie's ears. Bonnie saw her looking and smirked.

"Yep, they're real. See?" She lowered and raised them. "I mean, come on. With everything that's gone down, is this really the weirdest thing?"

"I… I suppose not," she murmured. "I'm sorry."

Bonnie waved a hand dismissively. "Hey don't sweat it. You should see what I used to wear for work."

"Excuse me, but do you know my son? My boy, Jeremy, have you seen him?" asked Erica.

"You're Jeremy's mom? Don't worry, your kid's okay," replied Bonnie. "One of our guys is bringing him along now."

"Oh thank god. Thank you." She gripped Bonnie's hand, then moved in the direction she indicated.

"Is everyone else okay?" asked Susie.

"Yeah, they're fine. Mike's a little out of it, but we're taking care of him," she said. "Actually, I just remembered I need to find-"

"Bonnie!" Susie froze when she recognised Lidiya's voice. She hurried up. "What happened? Did you do it? Where's Mike? I saw Clyde with Jeremy, but I didn't-"

"He's fine," Susie blurted out. "She… just told us."

"Oh good, that's…" Lidiya turned slowly to the two women, her face steadily turning red. "Oh. Um. Hi."

"Who is this? Wait…" Wendy frowned at Lidiya. "Have we met somewhere before? I feel like I know you."

Lidiya forced a smile. "Uh. No, I don't think so."

"No, I think we have. I just can't quite place-"

"Lid!" said Bonnie quickly. "Uh, I think there's some stuff Goldie needs you for at the Fun Palace. She uh, wanted me to pass that along."

"Oh good! Thanks Bonnie, okay bye!" She ran off before anybody could say anything else.

Wendy turned to Susie. "Someone else you know?"

"Sort of," she murmured. "Uh, Bonnie? I thought she was… you know…"

"She was, but she's cool now. Really helped us," said Bonnie. "Don't worry about it.

"If you say so. A-Anyway," said Susie, looking to move things along. "I guess the secret's out."

"Guess so," shrugged Bonnie. "It's weird. I always wondered what it would be like. I can't say I pictured this."

Susie nodded. "Yeah, that goes for a lot of life. But hey, look at it this way! Think of everything you get to do now!"

"Yeah, that's something to-"

"Hey Bon!" Hermana skated by, grinning broadly. "Wanna sort out what we're doin' later?"

"Uh yeah, sounds good!" she said, looking flustered.

"Yay! See you later, Bon-Bon!" She blew Bonnie a kiss and skated away again.

Susie looked at Bonnie with a growing smile. "Want to tell me what that was about?"

"Yeah, about that…" Her cheeks tinted blue. "Look uh, I… I guess I have a date after all this and um… maybe I could use some pointers?"

Susie's grin widened. Oh, that she could definitely help with.

Annie was still being carried by her mom as they made their way back home with everyone else. The bad robots were all gone now. They were lying on the ground, but they weren't moving. Even so, she still hugged her mom closely, in case they got back up again.

Her dad was with them too. He'd found them after he'd gotten away. Annie was happy. She'd been really scared about what they might do to him, but he was okay. Chica and Foxy had saved him, just like they said they would.

"And you're sure they're not dangerous, Aaron?" asked her mommy. "Just with what happened with Spring and the Bite-"

"As dangerous as any other person might be," he replied. "They're victims of circumstance, by and large. The only reason they've lived like they have is because of what Sid wanted them for."

"I… I just don't know, Aaron," she murmured. "After everything, with the missing children and the enquiries, now this…"

"I know, I know," he said. "I think perhaps it's high time I retire from this business and we take a little time away. How does that sound? Nice little holiday?"

Her mommy didn't say anything and she still looked a little sad, but she managed a smile.

"I don't think they're dangerous," said Annie. "They saved us and they're all really nice. It's not their fault these robots were bad."

"Annie, I…" Her mommy sighed. "You might be right. They did save us."

Annie cast her eye around and saw something red down one of the streets. He was coming out of one of the buildings, carrying someone else who looked like they'd been hurt. He set them down with some police.

"Mommy, daddy, look!" she pointed. "Foxy! Foxy, over here!"

He turned and beamed, running over to join them. She felt her mommy grip hold of her a little tighter, but her daddy went to meet him. He held Foxy's hand in both of his and shook it a lot.

"You marvel. You utter, ruddy marvel!" he said. "When those rotters started breaking down my door, I didn't know if Lizzy and Annie would… thank you. Thank you!"

"It was me pleasure, Aaron," replied Foxy. "We weren't exactly goin' ta leave 'em in the lurch."

Annie gasped. "You know my daddy?"

"Certainly do, young lass!" he said. "Yer father has been very good ta me and me friends. He helped look after us and he even helped make us."

"Wow," she whispered. "So if daddy helped make you and looked after you, does that mean you could be like our family?"

He chortled. "Well, in a funny sorta way, ya could be right."

"Look…" Her mommy stepped a little closer. Annie could feel her trembling a little. "Thank you. Keeping my husband safe. A-And for my daughter."

"Happy ta do it." Foxy smiled gently. "I realise that ya have yer apprehensions, 'specially about me. Don't worry, so would I. I don't blame ya fer havin' them. I just hope I can help ye move past 'em."

Her mommy looked away. Again, she didn't say anything. Foxy seemed to understand something from that and nodded. Then another voice cut in.

"Foxy!" A man with long hair and a funny smell ran up, hugging him. "Dude, I-I dunno what happened but when I heard th-that voice, saw who it was that came for me, I thought for sure I was gonna… dude, thank you. Jesus, just… thank you…"

"It's alright, Brad, it's alright," he said. "Yer safe now."

"Still doesn't feel like it…" The man called Brad looked like he'd been crying. "Th-They came outta nowhere, man! I-I was just at home and they came right through my door, like something out of a movie. T-Talk about your past coming back to haunt you, huh?"

"Aye, I know the feelin'," said Foxy. "But you get yerself back home. I'll come find ye later, we're just gettin' this all wrapped up."

"Oh yeah, totally!" He hugged him again. "Thanks again, dude. Like seriously, I'm gonna be saying that forever, I'm sorry, I just… thank you."

With a few pats on the back, Brad shook her daddy's hand and left. He was talking to himself when he did.

"Seems we're not the only ones who owe you gratitude," said her daddy. "Fred'd be proud of you if he could see you now. All of you."

"I'd certainly like ta think so," said Foxy. "Right, best get back to it. Stay safe now."

He saluted and turned to walk away.

"Foxy, wait!" cried Annie. "Mommy, can you put me down? Please?"

Her mommy looked at Annie, then at Foxy. She looked at daddy who placed a hand on her shoulder. She took a breath and set Annie down.

"Just be careful," she whispered.

"I will." Annie went to Foxy, who knelt down to look at her. "Thank you for saving me, Foxy. I don't think you're dangerous. I think you're a hero."

"Is that so?" Foxy's face went a little blue. "Well, that's certainly grand of ye ta say so, lil' Annie. Thank ye."

Annie nodded and went to go back to her mommy. Then she ran over and hugged Foxy. He seemed just as surprised as her parents were. Gently, very gently, he wrapped his arms around her. A few people were watching, but Annie didn't care.

She let go and looked at Foxy's face. "Don't cry, Foxy. It'll be okay."

"Aye," he whispered, wiping his eyes. "Aye, I reckon it will be."

"Mom, it's really not that bad," said Jeremy. "Look at me, I'm okay."

"If you want to call looking like you've gone several rounds with a bear okay!" retorted Erica. "I can't believe you were involved in something so dangerous!"

"I had to, mom! It was all for Bobby, I had to do it!"

"But they caught his killer! He's locked up now, what on earth do you mean? Unless you're telling me he's not the right man either?!"

"No, he is. But it wasn't just him, it was the guy responsible for this too." He gestured to the town. "Look, it's complicated but it's all over now. You're okay and that's all that matters to me."

"But what if you had gotten killed? What if you had and I… I never knew…" She pulled her son into a hug. "Don't you ever do this to me again, you hear me? Never again."

"I won't, mom. I promise." They stayed like that for a long while. "I'm sorry."

"It's alright. But we are going to have a long talk about this and you're going to tell me everything, starting with these… people." She glanced at Clyde, who stood nearby. "What are they, Jeremy? I've seen them do things no person can do."

"Maybe, but that doesn't mean they're not still people. Hey Clyde? Come over a sec," he called.

Clyde approached hesitantly. "You better not be dragging me into whatever argument you're having."

"I just want my mom to meet one of you." He stood between them. "Mom, this is Clyde. He's my friend, they all are. He's… well, he's been helping me to deal with what happened to Bobby."

"You have?" she asked.

"Look, I just wanted to say… I'm sorry about what happened to your son," said Clyde. "Bobby, I mean. But I guess that extends to Jeremy too."

"You knew he was in danger and you let it carry on?"

"Mom-"

"No, it's alright. Didn't want to have to deal with this, but…" Clyde sighed. "I get it. I do. But we couldn't have stopped him if we tried. Jeremy, he's a good ki… a good man. Real stand-up guy. Could have left us anytime he wanted, for any number of reasons but he never did. It's fair to say that, if it wasn't for him, I wouldn't standing here and telling you this."

Erica smiled fondly. "That sounds like my son. Never changes his mind easily when it's set."

"And how," chuckled Clyde. "I'm glad I know him. To me, he's… he's like my brother. He saved me and he saved my friends too. I know this whole thing is really weird, trust me I know. But uh… okay, I'm not really sure where I'm going with this. I guess what I'm trying to say is… I'm sorry."

Erica considered what he said for a moment. There was no question this was bizarre and though she didn't know Clyde well, she felt like what he was telling her was genuine. The look on Jeremy's face told her that he had the same sentiments that Clyde had just expressed. Though he was hurt physically, he looked better than she'd seen him be for a long while.

"Alright," she said after a while. "There's still a lot I need to know before I can say what I really think. But if my son calls you his friend, then I'm willing to hear it. But thank you for being there for my son, Clyde."

"No problem, ma'am," he said. "Okay, I'm going to go help out with everything else. See you around."

They watched him run back towards the town. Jeremy looked at his mother and smiled. She returned it and they embraced each other once again.

Alanuki: Well yes, but actually no XD

Arc of Carona: Hope this assuaged your worries.

Yellowscar1: Dead? Yes and no XD