LPS: CFFs - Crime-Fighting Friends

Chapter 18: A Drastic Change

As the months went by, Bristol started to notice more and more of a change in Xavier's mood and behavior. He would often stay in his room for most of the day and whenever Bristol tried to talk to him, he was oddly very quiet. Then, one day, Bristol didn't see Xavier at all. He was nowhere to be found in the house, and he wasn't even in his room. Worried, Bristol went out into town and started looking for Xavier.

"Where is he? It's not like him to just run away from home like this..." Bristol sighed to himself. "I guess he's still really upset about Shyla's death..."

On the far side of town, Xavier was hiding behind a building, knowing Bristol would be looking for him. He hoped his dad would give up soon so he could come out of hiding and continue with his plan. Xavier felt like everything was unfair, and he didn't feel a need to be a good guy anymore if all his loved ones were just going to die. He had become a dark, cold-hearted psychopath who wanted others to feel his pain by making their loved ones die in front of them. His first target was a young policewoman named Savannah. He had heard that she had a nephew that she cared a lot about, and he thought that nephew would be a perfect first victim. He just couldn't let Savannah see him.

Xavier looked around town for Savannah's nephew Danny, eventually finding him in the park. He pretend to be nice, asking Danny to come with him to help him with something. Not seeing through Xavier's ruse, Danny followed Xavier into a dark alley, where Xavier planned to end his life.

"What are we doing here? Didn't you say you needed help with something?" Danny asked Xavier.

"Oh, I do need help. I need help showing others the pain I've felt for the past few months!" Xavier answered, pulling a knife out of his pocket. Danny backed up.

"H-Hey! Wh-What are you doing with that?!"

"Goodbye, Danny. I'm sure your Aunt Savannah will miss you." Xavier began. He tried to stab Danny, but Danny dodged just before the knife touched him, and took off running. Xavier considered chasing him, but figured it wouldn't be worth it. There were plenty of other targets he could choose instead.

Xavier eventually found what he believed would be an easy target. A little girl with green eyes and dark gray hair walked by him and he caught her attention.

"What do you want?" she asked him.

"Come with me. I've got something to show you." Xavier attempted.

"Pssh, yeah right. Like I'm gonna go into a dark alley with a weirdo like you." the girl refused.

"If you don't come with me right now, I'm gonna-"

"I said no! What part of 'no' don't you understand?" the girl interrupted Xavier. She took out a knife of her own and stabbed Xavier in the side. Xavier fell to his knees, dropping his knife. He looked at the ground. It was covered in blood--his blood. His paws were bloody as well.

Xavier looked up and the girl was gone. He slowly got up, leaning on the side of a building to support himself, and slowly stepped out of the alley.

"I...I can't go home like this...I guess I'll have to stay out here...but if I stay out here, my wound won't get treated...I'll have to visit the hospital first..." Xavier gasped to himself as he struggled to walk to the hospital. When he finally got there, he collapsed in the doorway, alarming the doctors that were talking by the door.

"Oh my Dog! We have to get him into a room, now!"

"I'll help you carry him!

The two doctors worked together to carry Xavier into a hospital room for treatment. Xavier woke up a few minutes later and one of the doctors looked at him.

"Oh, good, you're awake. How are you feeling?" she asked him.

"I'm fine, I guess. Just a little tired." Xavier replied.

"I understand. Feel free to get all the rest you need. We won't release you until you are 100% positive you're ready to leave." the doctor nodded. "Would you like me to contact your guardian to let them know what's going on?"

"Uh..." Xavier hesitated. "No thanks..."

"Okay, let me know if you change your mind, though!" the doctor turned away and picked up her bag. "I'll be right back. I just have to visit with a few other patients."

Xavier sighed to himself once he was alone.

"Why did all this have to happen? First Mom dies in that car crash, then Shyla gets killed, then...I turn into this monster...Dad is going to be so disappointed in me if he finds out...I just wish my life could go back to normal..."

"Where is he?! I need to see him! He's been missing all day!"

"Don't worry sir, he's right in here."

A nurse opened the door and came into the room, followed by Bristol. 

'Great.' Xavier thought. 'The one person I didn't want to see.'

"Xavier?! What happened to you?! Where have you been?!" Bristol asked Xavier frantically. "I was worried sick when you went missing!"

"Sorry, Dad, I just...I was just upset. Y'know, because of Mom and Shyla...I just wanted to get away...but...while I was gone, I did some things that I'm not proud of..." Xavier admitted.

"What did you do?"

"I...tried to kill someone..." Xavier hesitated. "I-I'm sorry! I'm such a bad son! I deserve to be locked up with the key thrown away!"

"Xavier, calm down. I won't lock you up. I am disappointed that you tried to commit murder, but as long as nobody actually got hurt, it should be fine." Bristol told Xavier calmly.

"B-But...I'm a monster...I don't deserve your forgiveness..." Xavier sniffled.

"Xavier, please...don't be so hard on yourself. It doesn't matter what you do, I'll never think you're a monster. You're my son. I love you." Bristol continued.

"R-Really...?"

"Yes, really."

Xavier wiped his tears. "Th-Thanks, Dad...I'm glad you're still on my side..."

"I'll always be on your side, son. It's no problem at all."