Author's Note: It's been FAR too long since I last sat down to write, for this story or for anything else, but a few drabbles (etc.) seemed like the right place to dip a toe back in the water. Many thanks to Twisha for encouraging me to get back on the figurative horse, even after nearly three years!
Spoilers for "Hunt" in this chapter.
Chapter 4: Fathers
Drabble (100 words): Long Distance
He was a failure as a father, of course. He'd known he could only ever be a failure, not merely distant but invisible in his only son's life. But he'd watched Rick, all the same. He'd kept an eye on Rick and Martha both, and on anyone who got close to them. And so the boyfriend who'd raised his fist to Martha had abruptly decided to leave town, and the alcoholic nanny gave notice and chose another line of work, and Hunt only hoped the pain caused by his absence wasn't worse still than whatever his anonymous vigilance spared them.
Drubble (200 words): No regrets
A father will do anything to protect his family. He'll risk all he has for them, risk his very life, walk into the lion's den, yell his challenge to the gods. And for family, when they are hurting and afraid, sometimes a father will do more. Kill for them. Leave a man dead, his fingers each broken, nails pulled out. Ignore the screams and pleading eyes, until a kill-shot's reprieve. Then take the nightmares that always follow, so that family won't have to. Take their fear, as a father should. Pray the stains on his own soul will never touch them.
"Jackson Hunt" knew he would never - could never regret that choice.
And yet…
The text from his sources confirmed what he'd guessed: the NYPD had caught up with the wounded kidnapper, just as they'd reported, but that terrified man had flatly refused to talk. And so off the record, another father had made a choice, and when the door closed behind him, he too had ignored the screaming. For family.
Hunt closed his eyes, and swallowed the emotion.
They'd have this too in common now, he and his son:
There would be nightmares later on, but no regrets.
Dribble (50 words): Maybe…
He could be an astronaut. Fireman. Cowboy. Inventor of canned whipped-cream…
The wildest theories were Rick's favorites:
My dad's not here, but maybe…
He picked up his new book, (suggested by a stranger earlier that day).
… Maybe it's 'cause he's a spy.
The boy smiled, and started to read.