Shazam Forgotten

Longest Day

The family rushed to the hospital and immediately went inside to the front desk. "Excuse me." The mother said. "We're looking for Billy Batson." The woman at the desk searched the computer. "2nd floor, room 204." She said. The family went to the room to see Billy unconscious in the hospital bed. The officer who gave the call sat next to him as the family entered the room. "Tough kid you got here." He said standing up. A doctor then walked into the room. "We'll have to keep him overnight, but he'll be able to come home tomorrow." He said. "He does have a concussion and will have to take it easy for a while." The father nodded in understanding. The doctor left them alone in the room as they stayed with Billy. After a few minutes, the parents were having a conversation with the officer of what Billy was doing the last time he spoke to him. Freddy looked at Billy and walked over to his side. "You'll be okay." He said gently grabbing Billy's hand. "You have to be." Just then the doctor came back into the room. "I'm afraid visiting hours are almost over." He said. "I'm afraid you will have to come pick him up in the morning." The family understood and headed out. Outside the room, Freddy noticed a paper on the ground and picked it up, it was Billy's picture of him and his parents. Freddy went to put it in Billy's hospital room, but saw the door being locked and instead put it in his pocket. The minute everyone got home, they all got dinner and sat at the table. It was a pretty slow time for it though. Everyone was worried about Billy. "Is Billy gonna be okay?" Darci asked. The mother looked at Darci. "I hope so sweetie." She replied. "We'll find out tomorrow when we bring him home." She explained that they were going to pick him up while the kids were at school, but were going to work not too long before they get home. "Mary will be left in charge while we're gone." She said. "And remember what the doctor said, Billy will need to take things easy for a while." Everyone was okay with this, but they still needed to keep an eye on Darci. She was the one with the most energy out of all. After dinner everyone got to do whatever was needed before bed. Before going to bed, Freddy went into Billy's room and took the picture out of his pocket and placed it on the dresser. "I'm sure he's fine." Mary said behind him. "If he can survive Black Adam, he can survive this." Freddy nodded. The two of them went to bed to rest up for the next morning. The day was a bit slow for Freddy. Without Billy, everything was back to how it was before with the bullying. They always picked on him because of him needing to walk with a crutch. It wasn't his fault he had it. The first day Billy came to school with Freddy, the bullies had started punching him again and kicking him, even throwing his crutch to where he couldn't reach it. Billy was the only one who would actually stand up for him, even if at the time he didn't consider them family. "Hey crutch." One of the boy's said walking up to Freddy. "Looks like your bodyguard took the day off." The two boys then laughed. "He's in the hospital." Freddy said. "Then have a nice time with him." The other boy said as he grabbed Freddy. Freddy then grabbed his crutch and swung at him, striking him in the head. He did it again, tripping the other one to where they fell on each other. "He also taught me a few things." He said. "See you in class." As he went through the day, Freddy's feelings about what he did had changed. It wasn't the same without Billy around. Freddy knew that he would see him when he got home, but he just wished that it could happen faster. When school got out, Freddy decided to walk home so that he wouldn't have to deal with the bullies. He wouldn't be able to do anything on the bus. As he walked home, he felt as if he was being watched. He looked around and saw nothing at first, but saw Cyborg in the distance when he started walking around again. Freddy walked over slowly. "Hey kid." Cyborg said. "How's Shazam doing?" He asked. Freddy was stunned. "You know about Billy?" He asked. Cyborg nodded. "During one of our battles he risked his identity to help me get enough power to do something." He said. "His secret is still safe with me." Freddy laughed and then said goodbye before heading home. When he got there, there was something telling him that something was different now. Freddy shook it off, thinking it was probably just nerves. He noticed that the others haven't gotten home yet and went into the kitchen. Freddy found a note from his parents.

Kids-
We brought Billy back from the hospital and the doctor said he didn't have any problems as far as they knew. He was a bit out of it still so we decided to let him rest. Whoever is home, please check on him. We will see you all in a few days.

-Love mom and dad.

"You guys could just say that you're on the cruise." Freddy said with a laugh. "You've been talking about it for months." He then walked over to Billy's room and grabbed the doorknob. He paused for a moment but then slowly opened the door. Freddy looked through the door to see Billy sitting up on the bed and walked in. Billy was quiet and looking out the window of the room. Freddy quietly walked over and looked at him. "Hey." He said. Billy looked at him, there was something different about him. "How are you?"  Freddy asked. Billy shrugged. "Okay I guess." He replied. Freddy smiled and sat by him. "Shazam survives again." He said with a laugh. Billy looked at him confused. "Shazam?" He asked. "Who's that?" Freddy looked at him and laughed, assuming it was a joke. He stopped laughing when he saw Billy not joining him. "Do you know me?" He asked. Billy shook his head. "Should I?" He asked.