I didn't go out on patrol for weeks. I slept, and didn't speak. Griffin is still here. She's taken over patrol's for now. We don't talk to much anymore. She stays and I appreciate it. The house is generally filled with silence. I was the reason Holly died. I should have recovered faster. I shouldn't have let myself get in that situation in the first place. I should have put out the fire faster. I should have found her faster. I killed her. I'm the reason she's dead.
One of the days in the endless silence, I read the newspaper and had a drink, Fireball Whiskey. Several actually. Probably bordering on too many. It was a few days old, but it told me what I need to know.
East Side News
WHAT IS DAY WITHOUT NIGHT?
Romania Hill
Is our resident sidekick Day capable without Night, her late hero and mentor? According to David Miller in his article, "Special Report: What Makes a Hero?" he says "A good hero can be hard to find. A hero is selfless, a genuinely good person, and someone gets the undivided attention of all of us and causes change. Someone willing to risk their own life to save another." Why did Night die? Because Day couldn't stop the villain, whom we are calling Nessie, from drowning Night. Nessie got away, and Night died. Day isn't much of a hero is she? If she was a hero, she would have stopped the villain, and risked her own neck to save Night. So why didn't she? In another article, "What Makes a Hero?" by Philip Zimbardo, he states, "Simply put, then, the key to heroism is a concern for other people in need-a concern to defend a moral cause, knowing there is a personal risk, done without expectation of reward." Where has Day been? Nobody's seen her since Night died. Isn't that her duty? To keep helping people? Does she even care about us? The city is starting to crumble and she's letting it fall. Will she even try to keep protecting the city? Or will she abandon us? I don't think Day is capable of going on without Night. Night was everything she had, Night made her the hero she is today. Without Night, Day is a sad little fire girl. This has been: The East Side Story.
Well. I guess she's right. The next page however, made a good point.
West Side News
DAY WITHOUT NIGHT IS STILL DAY
Julie Capion
The hero of our story, Day, will be just fine without Night. She will take up the mantle of hero because she must, by necessity. We at West Side News truly believe Day will come though. We must give her the benefit of the doubt. In Alex Lickerman's article, "What Makes a Hero," he says "What actually makes a hero? I'd argue it's the willingness to make a personal sacrifice for the benefit of others." Unless you are new to the city, or have been living under a rock, I'd say what Day does is pretty heroic. She puts herself at risk constantly for us. As Romania Hill at East Side News states, " Where has Day been? Nobody's seen her since Night died."' Of course we haven't seen her! Her mentor just died! She's grieving like a normal human would do! In the article "When A Mentor Dies," Shannon Harris states, "often times, when we are grieving a great teacher or guide, we are not only grieving the memories or moments that we've had with them but also what lessons they haven't yet taught. It's as if our personal GPS has lost its signal and we are suddenly lost." She's lost without Night, but she will be found. She will find her way again. We're all lost without Night. Who isn't? According to Jeff Goins in his article, "How to Be a Hero: 7 Surprising Characteristics," he states "it is only when times are tough, when all that they have will be utterly lost, that they emerge ready to fight." Day will emerge victorious over this depression. For she is a strong fire girl. This has been: The West Side Story.
"Oh my god you're out of your room." My eyes flickered up. Nephele stood in front of the kitchen table where I sat.
I blinked, looking back down at the paper one last time, before looking back up at Nephele. "I am going to kill Nessie." I croaked, my voice rough from weeks of disuse.
"You can't kill her. It's not what Holly would have wanted." She said.
"I'm sorry, have you met her? It's exactly what she would have wanted. I have to avenge her." I said, my voice rising in anger.
She pursed her lips. "Ok. I can't stop you. But I am going home. Good luck Felicity."
"Fine!" I yelled after her, heaving whiskey after her.
YOU ARE READING
Of Fire and Waves
AcciónThe woman, wreathed in flames. The woman, shrouded in shadows. The woman, dancing with waves. Day saw fire, Night saw darkness, Nessie saw the sea.
