The Roar of the Night

10

That night, as the aroma of dinner wafted through the house, I found myself in the attic, trying to process everything that had happened. Lucy, Clara and Alex were in the kitchen, sharing a family dinner, something I used to do with them. Now, he could only hear their laughter and whispers from a distance, remembering what he had lost, what he might never have again.

Suddenly, the attic door opened with a slight creak, and Tom appeared in the frame, holding a tray. "Hey, I thought you might like dinner out," he said, with a smile that didn't quite match his eyes. I knew I was here for something else, to talk about what had happened. Tom came over and sat next to me, placing the tray between us. "Actually, I brought some dinner for you."

I looked at the tray and then at him, with a sigh. "Thank you," I murmured, although my mind was far from the food. I couldn't stop thinking about what had happened at the bank, about how Lucy had looked at me with so much fear, and about those last words she said to me, "thank you."

Tom seemed to read my thoughts, as he often did. "You know, Rex, you did something amazing today. You saved Lucy. And even though she's a little confused, deep down she knows you're a hero."

I leaned against the wall, letting the shadows of the attic hide the sadness in my eyes. "I know... but she's scared too. In her eyes, for a moment, I saw the same fear she has toward the villains and monsters she's seen in New York. And I can't blame her for that. Spiderman is the hero that she knows, one who always saves her, and I... well, I don't look the same."

Tom nodded, understanding perfectly what she meant. "Lucy lived in New York, Rex. It's a different city, full of dangers and also heroes. The monsters that appear there are real, and Spiderman is always there to save the day. But you... you are different. Not only in appearance, but in everything. You are not a typical hero, and that scared her at first. She saw something in you that reminded her of the villains that used to attack, but then, when you saved her and she saw you worried about her... that "It left her thinking."

"I was worried," I replied, voice coming out softer than I intended. "I was really worried about her. I didn't care what happened to me, I just wanted her to be safe."

Tom smiled, patting me on the shoulder. "I know. And that's what made the difference for Lucy. In the end, she didn't see a monster, but someone who cared for her. Seeing that meant a lot to her. She saw a superhero, albeit with a different look."

I was silent for a moment, processing his words. Tom was right, as always. It was not the appearance that defined a hero, but the actions. And although Lucy was scared, there was a small spark of hope in her words of gratitude. Maybe, in time, he could see her like before.

Tom leaned toward the tray and, with a mischievous smile, took out a large slice of apple pie, which Clara had prepared. "Look what I have here. It's your favorite, right? I think you've earned it, hero."

My eyes widened at the huge slice of pie. It was almost as big as my head. "Tom... this is huge," I said, amazed, as he laughed.

"It's a well-deserved award," Tom replied, with a smile. "After everything you've done today, you deserve something special. You're a hero, Rex, and not just to us, but to Lucy too. Give him time. He'll understand."

I took the slice of pie, feeling a warmth in my chest that I hadn't felt in a long time. "Thank you, Tom," I said, sincerely, as I began to eat. The sweet taste of apple pie reminded me of simpler times, when all that mattered was being with my family.

And in that moment, in the middle of the attic, I knew things could still get better. Maybe it wouldn't be easy, maybe it would take time, but one day Lucy would be able to see past the outside, past the fear, and recognize that, beneath it all, he was still the same Rex she knew and loved.

"Tomorrow," I thought as I took another bite, "will be another day, and I will do everything I can to let her know that I will always be there for her."