Charged Connection

V

V. Fractured Trust

Third Person's Point of View

Jefferson Pierce sets out early with his daughters for their usual morning jog, the cool breeze carrying their laughs as they banter and challenge each other to keep up.

Jefferson chuckles, catching up with Beyoncé. "You're slowing down, honey. Thought I taught you better than that."

Beyoncé laughs, nudging him. "Hold up, old man—maybe I taught you too well! Try and keep up if you can." She breaks into a sprint, her playful confidence leaving Solange laughing as she follows suit, bringing out her competitive spirit.

After a few minutes of spirited running, they slow down together, breathless and grinning. Jefferson puts an arm around each of his daughters. "Don't you forget," he says, voice softening, "I'll always be running right beside you two. No matter how fast life tries to push you forward."

The girls roll their eyes with fond smiles. But beneath their teasing, Jefferson catches that look—the one that shows they understand more than they say.

∞∞∞

Garfield High

Later that morning, Jefferson strides through the hallway with purpose, nodding at students who greet him. At his side, Keisha, the vice-principal, keeps pace. Their conversation is tense but restrained.

"We need the metal detectors," she insists, shaking her head. "It's for their safety, Jefferson. You know how things have been in Freeland lately."

Jefferson stops in his tracks and turns to face her. "Keisha, these kids walk through enough metal detectors already—they see them in stores, at bus stations. I'm not letting them walk into school feeling like they're in a prison yard. That's not the answer, and you know it."

She lets out a slow breath, her frustration visible. "I'll pass your opinion on to the board, but they're only trying to help."

Jefferson glances out the window at the students streaming into the building. "These kids? Every single one of them knows someone who's been behind bars. They've seen enough bars, gates, and chains. I won't have them thinking this school is just another cage."

Keisha's shoulders drop, and she finally nods. "I'll let them know, Jefferson."

Back in his office, Jefferson sits at his desk, and his gaze drifts to the framed photo on his wall, a shot from his Black Lightning days. His phone lights up with a video sent from Gambi. In it, his former self—a younger, sharper, unstoppable Black Lightning—zaps a weapon from a thug's hand, saving a bystander. Jefferson watches, expression thoughtful, a mixture of pride and sorrow in his eyes.

∞∞∞

Beyoncé walks toward the school's entrance, lost in thought. Her phone buzzes, but before she can check it, a voice snaps her back to the moment.

"Hey, 'Yoncé," a voice drawls from behind. Milo is leaning against the gate, a smug grin on his face.

She freezes, her heart rate spiking. "Milo? What're you doing here?"

He saunters closer, hands in his pockets, barely keeping his grin in check. "Heard you go here. Wanted to make sure we're cool after, y'know, the other night."

"You stalked me through Instagram??," she says, a mix of disbelief and anger in her voice. She makes a quick move toward the entrance, trying to shake him off.

Milo's hand darts out, grabbing her arm. "What's with the attitude? I was just checkin' up on you, girl. Can't a guy be nice?"

She yanks her arm back, heart pounding. "You're a damn stalker, that's what you are."