The City of Darkness and Blood

Chapter 18

A Week Later: Saturday Morning

The morning light filtered through the living room curtains, casting a warm, golden glow over the space. I lounged on the couch with Chloe, savoring a rare moment of calm. Chloe was animatedly watching her favorite cartoon—a delightful show featuring a clever kitten and a mischievous puppy constantly outwitting each other. The sound of their antics filled the room with a cheerful energy. I took occasional sips from my cold beer bottle, the amber liquid providing a pleasant contrast to the morning's gentle warmth. It had been a week since the Mad Butcher had been locked away, and the city was slowly finding its peace. The relief among the victims' families was palpable, and instead of being labeled as an outlaw, the Hunter was now celebrated as a hero. The labels didn't matter to me anymore; my focus had shifted to doing what I believed was right.

My thoughts drifted to Kendall's unsettling revelation about the Butcher's 'collection' of human dolls in his freezer—little girls trapped in an unimaginable horror. The grim reality of it weighed heavily on me. But today wasn't about darkness; it was about enjoying a rare, carefree moment with Chloe. A sudden knock at the door interrupted our time together. I reluctantly left the comfort of the couch, the warmth of Chloe's presence making it hard to move. When I opened the door, Kendall stood there, her face brightening with a warm smile. Chloe's eyes widened with delight at the sight of her. "Mommy!" Chloe exclaimed, her voice ringing with joy as she scrambled off the couch and ran to Kendall. The two embraced tightly, Chloe's small arms wrapping around Kendall's legs. Kendall knelt to meet Chloe's eye level, her face softening with a genuine smile. "How's my special little girl?" she asked, her voice filled with warmth. "Good," Chloe replied, her excitement bubbling over. "Daddy's taking me to the arcade and then we're going to get a double-fudge banana sundae!"

Kendall's smile widened. "That sounds like so much fun."

Chloe's enthusiasm wavered slightly as she looked up at Kendall. "Are you coming with us?"

Kendall's smile faltered, and she gave Chloe a sympathetic look. "I'm sorry, sweetie. I have to work today," she said, "But if I get a day off soon, how about we have a mommy-daughter weekend? We can do whatever you want."

Chloe's disappointed expression quickly transformed into a bright smile. "Okay!" she said, hugging Kendall tightly.

"Hey, Chloe," I interjected gently. "Why don't you go upstairs for a minute while Mommy and I have a quick chat?"

"Okay, Daddy," Chloe agreed, bounding up the stairs with her giant teddy bear in tow. I've said once and I'll say it again: I'm glad Kendall was filling in the role of being a mother to Chloe. A role etty abandoned.

Once we were alone, I gestured for Kendall to sit down on the couch beside me. "So, what's going on?" I asked, trying to sound casual even though I sensed that something serious was on her mind. Kendall took a deep breath, her eyes meeting mine with an intensity that made me uneasy. "Jason, I need to talk to you about something." I motioned for her to continue. "Alright, what's up?"

Kendall fidgeted with the hem of her shirt, her gaze shifting nervously. "We've been best friends since we were four," she began, her voice wavering. "We shared everything, did everything together. But... It wasn't enough for me. I wanted more."

I blinked, struggling to grasp where this was headed. "Kendall, what are you trying to say?"

She took a deep breath and looked at me with a mix of determination and vulnerability. "Jason, I... I was in love with you," she confessed. "When you were with Betty Hoopsick, I was jealous. I dated Donald Benson because I was trying to move on, but... I never really wanted him. I wanted you."

Her words hit me like a thunderclap. I stared at her, my mind racing to process what I had just heard. "So, you dated Benson to make me jealous?" I asked, a mix of shock and frustration in my voice.

"Yes," Kendall admitted with a small, sad smile.

Anger surged within me. "Kendall, why didn't you tell me sooner? We're friends; friends are supposed to share everything."

Kendall's eyes filled with regret. "I was scared, Jason. I didn't want to risk our friendship. But... you deserved to know."

I finished my beer, setting the empty bottle down with a thud, and fell into a heavy silence. The weight of Kendall's confession hung between us, charged with unresolved emotions. "So, what happens now?" I asked, breaking the silence, my gaze fixed on her. Kendall looked at me for a moment, her expression a mix of uncertainty and resolve. "I don't know," she admitted, "I just... Oh, screw it." Before I could react, Kendall closed the distance between us and kissed me, her lips pressing against mine with an urgent, passionate intensity. Her hands cupped my face as our kiss deepened. I responded eagerly, my arms wrapping around her as we lost ourselves in the moment.

The passionate exchange was abruptly interrupted by Chloe's voice from the stairs. "Whoa, baby!" she exclaimed, her tone a mix of curiosity and surprise. We pulled apart immediately, our faces flushed with embarrassment. Kendall stood up, her expression a blend of awkwardness and guilt. "Well, this is awkward...," she said, glancing at me, "I need to get going. I have to pick up Lexi from school." "Will I see you again?" I asked, trying to hide my disappointment with a charming smile.

Kendall's face softened, and she gave a small giggle. "Maybe. How about dinner tonight?"

"At Paul's Grill?" I suggested, recalling the restaurant we loved as kids.

Kendall nodded, her eyes brightening. "Our favorite place when we were kids. Good choice. 8:00?"

"8:00," I confirmed.

Kendall leaned in and kissed me softly. "I'll call you."

"I know," I replied, smiling.

After exchanging smiles and hugging Chloe goodbye, Kendall left to pick up Lexi. I knew she would likely share what had happened with her sister. I hoped Lexi was doing well and receiving the support she needed. Chloe rejoined me on the couch, her giant teddy bear in tow. Later, as we left the arcade with Chloe proudly carrying her prize, I couldn't help but smile. Chloe's excitement was infectious. "I can't believe it," I said, shaking my head, "I've been the Let's Groove champion for years, and this is the first time I've lost." Chloe beamed up at me. "Molly's been teaching me," she said. Molly had always been the best dancer in the family, outshining even Kyle and my father.

"I should've known," I said with a smile. "She was good, but not good enough to beat me." As we drove home, Chloe's enthusiasm shifted to a more serious question. "When can I be like you?"

I glanced at her, momentarily taken aback. "You want to be a private investigator?"

"No," Chloe said, shaking her head, "I want to be a superhero like you."

Her question surprised me, leaving me momentarily speechless. Though I wouldn't call myself a superhero. "What brought this on?" I asked as we stopped at a red light.

Chloe shrugged, her eyes earnest. "People say terrible things about you, but you beat up bad guys and save people. I... I just want to be like you."

I continued driving as the light turned green, contemplating her words. "Chloe, listen. In this world, people are capable of terrible things. Criminals know what they're doing is wrong; they just don't care. You can't feel sorry for them when they get punished. Understand?"

"Yeah," Chloe said quietly.

The rest of the drive was filled with a contemplative silence. Chloe was young and intelligent, but she had much to learn about the world's darker side and how to confront it. My own experiences and fears for her safety weighed heavily on me. My father had trained me from a young age to defend myself and face the dangers of the world, but I never wanted Chloe to be thrust into that kind of life. All I wanted was to keep her safe and fulfill my promise to protect the good people of Solomon. The fight wasn't over, and the stakes were high.