Fandom: The Incredibles
Word Count: 389 words
Characters: Robert Parr/Mr. Incredible, Buddy Pine/Syndrome, Mirage
Summary: He'd failed Buddy. He should have been there.
He'd killed him. He'd finally done it. His father lay dead at his feet, mouth set in a permanent scowl. He'd been yelling at Buddy when he shoved the knife through his father's throat.
He could hear Mirage running through the house, gathering everything they would need. They would have to leave town. They couldn't stay here. Somehow it seemed unfitting to leave without a trace. To not leave his signature somewhere. People would probably assume he'd been kidnapped.
Buddy smirked as an idea crossed his mind and he hurried to his bedroom. Mirage gave him a blank glance before leaving him to his own devices. She had to get them ready. Buddy pulled out a sheet of fresh paper and pen, fingers shaking in excitement. This would be that start of his new life.
"What happened here?" Bob stood at the edge of the crime scene, face weary. He hated these kinds of crimes. There wasn't much he could have done. The commissioner gave him a swift look, eyes going back to the CSI that had taken over the scene.
"Homicide. Kid probably did it. Grabbed everything and ran." He'd guessed as much. The house had looked empty, like there should have been more inside. Bob sighed.
"Self-defense?" The commissioner smirked and Bob's mind suddenly flashed to Buddy. He hoped the kid was okay. He hoped it never came to this.
"Looks like it. Neighbors say the victim was a bit of an alcoholic. Liked to use his kid as a punching bag." Bob stiffened at that. People knew. They knew and they never did anything.
"No one said anything?" The commissioner shook his head, following the super's train of thought.
"No one thought it was this bad." Bob huffed. He couldn't do anything now and it irked him. He felt useless. Maybe there was something he could do.
"What was the kid's name?" The commissioner's eyes went soft and sad and bob was suddenly gripped with fear. He'd never seen the man look so resigned.
"Buddy Pine." So it had come to this.
Years later when Bob faced a man named Syndrome he wept. He'd watched a child fall apart before him and he'd done nothing to stop it. Maybe he could make sure that Syndrome get the help he needed. He wouldn't fail him this time.