A great scar remained on the city with Daniel's victory against his villainous opponents as fire and rubble littered the battlefield. But even now, in the dead of night, after a hard-fought battle, peace remained elusive. The sounds of the criminal’s enraged screams flowed through the air like a powerful river current. The police labored tirelessly, preparing a massive steel bank vault as thick as a war bunker for a tremendous undertaking. The police removed all the money and other valuables from it. And hurriedly replaced the contents with the five assailants, bonded by chains, bloody and bruised from their fight with the valiant knight. Still, as one broke free of his restraints, charging at them for the kill, they shut the door.

  "Will that hold?" Tommy asked.

  "We're about to find out," Elena said.

  The door quickly banged thunderously, sending shivers through the police. It continued again and again, louder with each strike, making the police ready their guns. However, as the loudest one came, a dead calm followed for several minutes. Finally, the authorities dropped to the ground, relieved and exhausted.

  "Thank god. It worked," Elena said.

  "Elena, one thing is still bothering me. How are we supposed to get food and water to them in there?" Tommy asked.

  "The boss is setting something up. Don't worry."

  "But there's one more thing." Tommy signaled Elena to come closer.

  Elena went to Tommy, positioning her ear for him to speak into.

  "These criminals are only the start. Now it's only five, but eventually, it'll be ten, fifteen, and more. And even with the knight, are we supposed to stuff them all in places like this?"

  "I know how you feel, but reforms are coming. Something about the designs from a boy genius."

  "But how long? You know reforms in the prison system can take an eternity."

  "I don't know. But let's hang tough until they do."

  "Elena, I think I'm scared." Tommy covered his face with his hand.

  "Don't be.” Elena pulled Tommy’s hand off his face. “I'll look out for you, and you'll look out for me."

  "And together, we'll look out for everyone else," Tommy said with a crooked smile.

  "Now you're getting it." Elena playfully punched Tommy's face. “So—“

  Tommy pointed off into the distance, guiding Elena’s gaze to Delia and Monica as he noticed the reporters hiding behind a large piece of debris.

  Delia uttered a nervous laugh. “We just wanted to get a closer look.”

  Monica coughed. “And in our defense, we had the decency not to eavesdrop on your clearly personal conversation.”

  “This is a police operation. No reporters. Hit the road,” Elena bellowed.

  ***

  Daniel returned home exhausted, dropping onto the couch. He closed his eyes, falling asleep, but a strange sound awakened him. It was a child's happy laughter. And following the sound to its source in the bedroom, Daniel learned Hope was joyously giggling in bed as Karen lay beside her, cuddling the young girl in her arms.

  "Mind letting me in on the joke?" Daniel asked.

  "Uncle Daniel, you're back." Hope stood up on the bed.

  "Apologies for not welcoming you in, love. Our fun got the best of us."

  "Whatever game you’re playing is that fun, huh?” Daniel laughed. “Mind if I play too, Hope?"

  “Yeah, Uncle Daniel. Come over here.” Hope motioned her hands to call Daniel closer to her.

  "But it’s no game. We were enjoying some reading," Karen said.

  "Reading what?" Daniel asked.

  Karen grew a teasing smile."Some of your manuscripts."

  A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

  Daniel's eyes widened with shock, but his features hardened as he looked at his lover. "Karen, how could you? You know those things aren't fit to be read yet."

  "I think they're good, Uncle Daniel."

  "As do I. So won't you forgive me?" Karen mischievously blew a kiss to Daniel.

  Daniel sat beside Hope on the bed opposite Karen, pouting."This once."

  "Uncle Daniel, with your permission, may I please read more of your writing after this one?"

  "Kid—" Daniel looked at Hope's smiling face and quickly stopped pouting."Fine."

  Hours later, the three still lay in bed together, reading Daniel's manuscripts, and laughing.

  "Alright, no more reading, kid."

  "But, Uncle Daniel—"

  "Now, little one, your uncle's right. It's late, and you need your rest." Karen interrupted.

  "Okay. B-but may I ask you a question, Uncle Daniel?"

  "Shoot."

  "I-I think you're a super groovy person. But why doesn't Daddy?”

  Karen sighed. “Little one, your Father and uncle have their differences.”

  ”But why?”

  “Because he's a rich, self-righteous jerk,” Daniel shouted.

  A radio buzzed to life.

  ”Now, a special report. To brighten your evening after today's unfortunate events, we highlight the best acts of humanitarianism. Tonight's subject, Charles Waybright, donated a record-breaking $1.1 billion to children's healthcare."

  Daniel sprinted to the radio, angrily pulling its plug out of its socket with a grunt and throwing it on the floor. But he returned to his seat beside Hope, seeing her and Karen's disapproving looks.

  "Okay, kid, tell me something.” Daniel put his hand over his face. “You understand why I went to prison, right?"

  "You did bad things, so the people in charge had to punish you."

  "Right.” Daniel removed his hand, exhaling intensely. “But you're Pop believes that I don't deserve forgiveness even after I served my time. Or even to be part of civilized society."

  "I-I don't understand. Aren't you supposed to be forgiven after you get punished and say sorry?"

  "It's more complicated than that, little one.” Karen wrapped her arms around Hope. “You see, sometimes people get especially hurt or cautious when someone does something wrong, making it harder to forgive. For your father, he doubts those like your uncle can truly redeem themselves."

  "I-is he right?" Hope swallowed.

  Karen looked at Daniel. "I respectfully say no. If a person is alive and commits to it, they're never beyond redemption."

  Daniel stood up. "Okay, that's enough. Good night, kid."

  Karen followed Daniel, taking his manuscripts from Hope, preparing to leave the room.

  "Uncle Daniel, wait."

  Daniel and Karen stopped.

  "Could you and Karen please sleep with me?"

  The couple quickly complied, looking at Hope's anxious face and retaking their sides of the bed, falling asleep together as Karen turned off the lamp.

  ***

  Karen happily labored by the stove, preparing fluffy white pancakes in the morning. She finished her work serving the food on three plates, bringing two to Daniel and Hope. She presented her delicious efforts, placing their plates before them to grateful and hungry eyes.

  "It looks so yummy. Thank you, Karen."

  "Heck yeah.” Daniel breathed in the pancakes’ sweet aroma. “You've outdone yourself, angel."

  "You both flatter me." Karen tittered.

  Daniel readied to eat, taking up a pancake with his fork.

  "Uncle Daniel, wait. Aren't we going to say grace?"

  "For breakfast?" Daniel asked.

  "Mommy says we should be thankful for every meal."

  Daniel groaned. "Yeah, she would say that."

  "Love." Karen opened her hands to grasp Hope's and Daniel's.

  Hope swiftly complied, putting her hand in Karen's grasp as she and Karen reached out for Daniel. Daniel slowly relented, grabbing Hope and Karen's hands as all three bowed their heads.

  Hours later, Daniel worked at his typewriter, diligently making more manuscripts. Still, Hope quickly came, stopping his labors as he saw her smile.

  "What's going on, kid?"

  "Are you writing another story, Uncle Daniel?"

  "Yes, ma'am."

  "May I please read it?"

  Daniel lovingly rubbed Hope's head."Not this time, kid."

  "Why not?" Hope puffed her cheeks.

  "This one is for my new job. I have to give ideas that can pull in the big numbers. So I can't let anyone see it until I'm ready."

  "Okay. But can I show you what I'm making?"

  Daniel nodded, and Hope sped away. She hurried back with her hands full of papers, handing them to Daniel as he marveled at the beautiful drawings of people and insects on them.

  "You made these? By yourself?"

  Hope nodded excitedly.

  "I-I don't know the words, kid. Except maybe amazing. These things are—"

  Daniel shuffled through the different drawings until his eyes fixated on one. He focused intently on it as his mind buzzed with a strange familiarity. But he slowly recognized the characteristics of its appearance, from its dark skin to its large body size, realizing the drawing was of James.

  "Hope, did you make up all your drawings or see them in person?"

  "In person."

  Daniel swiftly grabbed Hope's arm, showing her the drawing of James. "The man in this drawing was around your house?"

  "Uncle Daniel, you're hurting me."

  Daniel released Hope. "I'm sorry, but I need to know."

  "Y-yes, he's one of Daddy's business partners."

  "Since when?" Daniel shouted.

  "I don't know."

  Later, Daniel sat with Karen, dripping with anxiety on the couch.

  "Love, I still can't understand why they would target Charles," Karen said.

  "Isn't it obvious? Since we took down Hermes, the big man needs a freighter large enough to compensate."

  "I hadn't realized Charles's company is that big."

  "Well, now you do. But I want to know if that's the only reason."

  "Only reason?” Karen lightly slapped her lover on the shoulder. “Daniel Jones, you're not insinuating that Charles is taking blood money?"

  "Of course not. I'm worried they went after him because they figured out I'm the knight."

  “I—I see.” Karen released a small laugh at herself. "Well, in any case, I wouldn't worry about that."

  "Why?"

  "Because if the enemy had that information, they would have made a more aggressive tactic by now."

  Daniel sighed in relief. "That's one less headache, at least. Now I have to pull sis and the rich boy out of the fire."

  "And while you're doing that, I'll take Hope to my parents' home on the east side as a precaution. Good luck, my love." Karen kissed Daniel.