Justice(118)

“’All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.’ These are the words Justin Pendergast lived by. Words he took to heart, and practiced every day. He didn’t have to don the costume his ancestors did. He didn’t have to go out there every night, getting shot and stabbed to stop the muggers, rapists, and crazies with superpowers. He did it because he felt it was the right thing to do. The just thing. He did it…because this city is worth it. People are worth it.” I look at the audience, catching the eyes of as many people as I can.

“And don’t a single one of you forget it.”

I step off the stage to uproarious applause. Thank you, Justin.

The press shouts questions at me and city government members congratulate me as I scan the crowd for Harry. A patrol woman is speaking to him, both very intense. He tells her something and she runs off. I push my way to him. The woman comes back with her partner, just as I reach them. “What’s going on?”

“Hexen’s enchanted some trees,” Harry says with a sigh. “They’re coming this way, threatening everyone. It’s a mess.” He shakes his head. “Just another day in Galilee Falls.”

A woman screams in the distance. The stomping begins a second later as the tops of trees sway and part as the monster approaches. The crowd panics, dispersing every which way in pandemonium. “Oh, hell,” I say as I pull out my gun and badge from my purse. A hero’s work is never done. “Let’s go get him.” And we run into the fray.

God, I love this city.