Shadow-Man

2

Healing from getting my ass beat was a chore. I had to try to explain to my mom what had happened, which didn't go well. I told her the truth, because there was no point in denying it. Mom flipped out, telling me that I could have died, telling me that I was irresponsible, and that I should have just kept walking. She said that my own safety should be my main concern, and that I shouldn't have gotten involved. But the thing is, no matter how much Mom yelled at me, and no matter how much every movement I made hurt like hell, I didn't regret helping that man one bit.

"Your life is more important than some man in an alley way." Mom told me, I glared at her.

"Says who?" I snapped. "What if that man went to work today, and is now one step closer to curing cancer. What if he went home to him family last night, and took care of his little girls, who don't have a mother. We don't know anything about him, and we don't know his value in this world."

"Ty, I don't care what he did last night. You shouldn't have done that." Mom argued.

"And why not?"

"Because it was none of your concern."

"Mom, if I didn't help that man, no one would have. The guy that beat me up had a knife, and probably would have killed the other guy. But because I stepped in, because I did what I knew was right, there is one less criminal on the streets, and one man who just might live to change the word now."

"Ty, there are tons of criminals out there. One of them being arrested isn't going to change a thing."

"You're right, there are tons of criminals out there. However, thanks to me, the number of criminals who are running around is lower. Thanks to me, there is one less criminal out there than there was this morning." I sighed, and softened my voice. "I know that what I did today has you scared, and I understand why you don't want me to do anything else like what I did today. You're my mom, and want me to be safe. But Mom, I don't regret what I did today, and I'd do it again in a heartbeat. I helped somebody and stopped a bad person. Can you please just try to be more proud than worried?" Mom sighed, and thought for a moment before nodding, and walking over to me to hug me gently.

"You're right Ty. What you did was dangerous, and I'm going to be very worried about you for a very long time now, but I am proud. You did do a very good, and selfless thing. I am very proud of you, and I genuinely think that more people need to be like you."

"Thanks Mom." I said, hugging her back.

***

The next day at school, people stared at me, but no one asked any questions. Well, no one except mine and Clair's other friend, Gillian, but we called him Gill. Gill was a heavy boy with the biggest heart of anyone I had ever met. He had dark skin, bright copper eyes, and black hair. He cared very deeply about his friends, so when he saw me with a busted up face, he was flipping out.

"Who the hell did this to you Ty?" Gill asked, stepping very close to me, and gently turning my head to inspect my face.

"It's ok Gill. The person who did it isn't around anymore." I told him, stepping back a bit.

"Oh my goodness, you killed someone." Gill said in a fake dramatic voice, and a slight chuckle.

"No. I'll fill you in." I then told Gill the whole story. Gill just stared at me in shock, looking star struck. I was getting uncomfortable, not knowing what he was thinking as he just stared at me.

"Gill?" I asked tentatively, unsure of how he was going to react to the story. "Why are you just staring at me like that?"

"I have never been so happy to be your friend." Gill said, awe struck.