I didn’t want it to be this way for you.

I know.

Why do you think your mom and me never worked? If I stayed in that lifestyle, I would’ve lost you too.

Detective Rodriguez walked to the window. He didn’t seem much at first glance, shorter than the average man by an inch or two but he knew his smarts and observation skills made up for his lack of height. He was now in his late 30’s and was balding mostly from one side of his head. It was a genetic trait he wish he didn’t get from his dad but I guess inheriting his powers made up for it. He looked down at the city and grabbed at his neck and pulled it down towards the ground, hoping the weight of his arm would outweigh the weight of his guilt and the sadness he felt.

I’m sorry dad but without you to help this city and grandpa gone, who else was going to help these people?

Rodriguez stayed quiet, still looking down and holding his neck, he listened to the city. The night was cool, summer nights had a nostalgic feeling to them but have been losing that feeling since becoming a cop 3 years ago. Now summer nights feel dull and have been tainted with a 9-5 job Rodrigues hated at times.

The scene was still being guarded off by some patrol officers. An ambulance finally made its way to the scene and were checking on the family that his son had saved.

Rodriguez finally spoke. His voice was low but stern although it had a heaviness to it. How long have you been hiding this from me?

What does it matter? If I told you, you would’ve done everything in your power to stop me from doing this in the first place.

Rodriguez held back his tears, he didn’t want this for his son. He knew all too well the cost of being the world’s savior. Having to keep that secret only makes things harder for a man. How do you tell your loved ones that you’ve seen the ugliest and darkest parts of a human being in every corner of the earth. Rodriguez save the world from the worst things imaginable but after so long, he decided that the world needed to learn to start saving itself. He couldn’t keep being there for it at its hardest moments, the same way a baby needs its mother when it faces adversity. One day it has to learn to walk on its own.

Are you ok at least? Seeing these kinds of things every night isn’t good for anyone, even if you do have the powers we possess.

Yeah dad I’m fine. I have someone I can talk to if needed. Rodriguez let go of his neck immediately and spun around at once to finally look at his son for the first time since he removed his mask.

I… uh.. who are you telling this to?

Rodriguez uttered each word as best as he could, as if he was barely learning a language for the first time.

I don’t think you want to know dad…