Chapter 4

The Weight of a Life

Kade soared above the city, patrolling the night sky with a vigilant eye. The stars twinkled overhead, the city lights a symphony below. It was a rare, quiet evening with no alarms, no robberies, no crises. He let himself relax, enjoying the stillness.

Then he saw her.

A flash of movement caught his eye—a teenage girl standing on the edge of a rooftop, her face pale in the moonlight. Before he could fully process what was happening, she jumped.

Panic surged through Kade. (No time to think, just move!) He dove downwards, calculating his speed. He knew he had to be precise; too fast and he could implode her body, too slow and she would hit the ground with deadly force.

He reached her just in time, adjusting his speed in the final moments. His arms cradled her gently, absorbing the impact and slowing them both to a stop. He held her tightly, feeling her trembling against him.

"Got you," he whispered, relief flooding through him.

The girl looked up at him, tears streaming down her face. "Why did you save me?" she sobbed, her voice breaking. "I wanted to die."

Kade's heart ached at her words. He flew to the nearest rooftop, setting her down gently. She collapsed to her knees, still crying.

He knelt beside her, his voice soft. "What's your name?"

"Emily," she whispered, barely audible.

"Emily, I'm Kade," he said, his tone comforting. "Can you tell me why you wanted to end your life?"

Emily hugged her knees, her body shaking. "I...I can't take it anymore. The bullying, the humiliation...someone leaked my nudes online. Everyone at school saw them. I'm a joke, a slut... I can't escape it."

Kade's jaw tightened with anger, but he kept his voice calm. "I'm so sorry, Emily. What happened to you is terrible, but ending your life isn't the answer. You have so much more to live for, and there are people who can help you through this."

She looked at him, her eyes filled with despair. "Help? What can anyone do? The internet is forever. I'll never live it down."

Kade sat down next to her, his tone earnest. "There are people who can help you fight back. Cyberbullying and harassment are serious, and there are laws to protect you. We can talk to the authorities, get the help you need. You don't have to go through this alone."

Emily shook her head, tears falling faster. "But everyone knows..."

Kade took a deep breath. "I know it feels overwhelming, but trust me, this moment won't define you. People can be cruel, but they don't determine your worth. You do. And there are good people out there who care and want to help you. Let me be one of those people."

She looked at him, searching his eyes for sincerity. "Why would you care?"

Kade smiled gently. "Because everyone deserves a chance to live their life, to find happiness. You're stronger than you think, Emily. This moment is horrible, but it's not the end. It's just a chapter, and there are many more to come."

Emily wiped her eyes, her sobs subsiding a little. "But I don't know how to move on."

Kade placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "One step at a time. First, we need to get you the support you need. I'll stay with you until we can get you to someone who can help, okay?"

She nodded hesitantly. "Okay."

They sat together for a while longer, Kade offering quiet words of comfort and support. Eventually, Emily's breathing steadied, and she seemed calmer.

"You ready to go down?" Kade asked gently.

Emily took a deep breath and nodded. "Yeah. I think so."

Kade helped her to her feet and carried her down to the street, where paramedics were already waiting, having been alerted by bystanders who witnessed the incident. The emergency personnel approached them with professional concern.

"She needs help," Kade said to the lead paramedic, his voice steady but urgent. "She's been through a lot and needs support."

The paramedic nodded, guiding Emily towards the ambulance. "We'll take care of her. Thank you."

Kade turned to Emily, giving her a reassuring smile. "I'll be in touch with the authorities to make sure you get the justice and support you need. Stay strong, okay?"

Emily managed a weak smile. "Thank you, Kade. For everything."

He watched as she was taken into the ambulance, feeling a sense of relief and hope. (She's going to be okay. She has to be.)

With that, Kade flew off to the police station, determined to ensure Emily's case was handled properly. He landed outside and walked in, the officers inside looking up in surprise.

"I need to speak with someone about a cyberbullying case," Kade said firmly. "There's a girl who needs protection and justice."

One of the officers stepped forward, nodding. "Of course. Right this way."

Kade spent the next hour explaining Emily's situation, providing details and insisting on immediate action. The officers took his words seriously, promising to investigate and offer support.

As he left the station, Kade felt a mix of exhaustion and satisfaction. (Saving lives isn't just about stopping villains. It's about being there for people when they need it most.)

He took to the skies once more, his mind racing with thoughts of the future. There was still so much to do, so many people to help. But for now, he had made a difference in Emily's life, and that was enough.

For tonight, at least.