Aurora called her mother’s cell phone, and Goonie picked up quickly.

  “Hey, girl!” Goonie greeted, sounding far livelier than she had earlier. “We’ve moved temporarily to a motel while we’re getting the lock fixed.”

  Not that a lock had done much to stop them in the first pce, but there was no sense in making it easier.

  “Alright, Mom! I’m on my way. Give me the name, and I’ll be there,” Aurora said.

  After Goonie told her the location, the call ended. It wasn’t far from their condo, so Aurora nded outside in a blindspot where no one would take notice and transformed back. Fatigue hit her like a hammer—it was strange. Even fighting Blue Max hadn’t left her this drained. Still, she pushed forward, jogging around the building toward the entrance. She took the elevator up to the third floor, where Goonie had said they were staying. The moment she knocked, the door opened, and her mother’s warm, familiar presence welcomed her inside.

  Leona’s gaze swept across the motel room. A king-sized bed dominated the space, but what caught her eye was the carefully stacked pile of their most valuable possessions in the corner—Quinn’s massive DJ deck, a few neatly packed boxes. They’d handled moving everything over while she had been dealing with the police and interrogations.

  Her throat tightened. Even after everything, they’d managed all this without her.

  “I’m sorry, Mom!” Leona rushed forward, throwing her arms around Goonie. The woman patted her gently, radiating that unshakable calm that had always grounded her.

  “It’s fine, girl.” Goonie smiled, her voice carrying none of the pain from earlier. “I’m already doing better, but I’m looking forward to getting some rest.”

  Quinn, who had been sitting on the bed with her arms crossed, shot Leona a gre before sighing and standing to join the hug. She didn’t say much, but the squeeze she gave Leona’s shoulder spoke volumes.

  They talked for a while before they all fell asleep together on the one big bed—Leona shared what had happened, how supportive Detective Kirby had been.

  The next few days passed in a tense but steady rhythm. While the police worked through their end of the investigation, Leona, or rather after school Aurora, followed the leads Kirby had dug up regarding the Padua Realignment Camp.

  Said leads had led her here.

  In Seaside, Aurora had spent the past day tracking down potential contacts, knocking on doors, and sifting through dead-ends. That changed when she finally spotted a man who matched one of Kirby’s descriptions—a scruffy, middle-aged guy with a five o’clock shadow and the hunched shoulders of someone carrying too many burdens. He was supposedly one of the parents who had sent their kid off to the camp, but both her and his son had practically fallen off the face of the earth not long after the boy had gotten out. The police hadn’t had the resources to properly follow-up so it was a loose-end that might illuminate something.

  The man lived in what was actually one of the nicer parts of town. Rows of tall and narrow single unit houses packed together like sardines made everything feel cramped but the neighborhood didn’t seem too rundown or neglected. She’d been in the area looking for him and spotted the man when he was seemingly coming back from the post office, a bundle of junk mail and magazines had been pinned under his arm as he walked home. She followed him from about a hundred feet in the air and waited until he went inside his home before making her move.

  Now.

  Diving down to his front door quickly and shifting her appearance, she donned the same costume she’d worn when masquerading as a detective. Then, with purpose, she knocked.

  The man answered quickly, having barely had time to even drop off his papers. His eyes narrowed the moment he saw her. “Wudda you want?” he snapped, already moving to sm the door shut.

  Aurora caught it before it could close, her aura fring just enough to halt its momentum. He nearly managed to shut it—nearly. She pressed forward, keeping her expression neutral but firm. “Wait a moment,” she said, reaching into her pocket. She didn’t have a badge, but she did have her ID card. Holding it up, she let him see it clearly.

  The tension in his face shifted. His jaw clenched.

  “What’s a super-type want with me?” His gaze darted away, evasive.

  “Investigation. Into Padua, in fact.” Aurora put on as disarming a smile as she could, tilting her head. “The fact of the matter is, children are suffering. What do you know about it?”

  “Nothing,” the man said ftly, his voice stiff. “They’re fine people.” The words came out too quickly, too practiced.

  “Isn’t it true your kid was hurt by them?” Aurora shot back, watching him closely.

  His posture stiffened. He looked away. “No… my kid’s fine. Get out of here.”

  “Don’t give me that.” Her patience was thinning. “It’s written all over your face. Think about the other kids still trapped there. Something is happening to them. Something serious. Your silence won’t help them.” She pushed the door open just a little more, her voice steady but firm.

  The man flinched, half-raising a hand as though to shove her out. But his arms fell to his sides, fingers twitching uselessly.

  “If I said anything they didn’t want to hear… it wouldn’t go well,” he muttered.

  “All the while you’re thinking about your own skin, children are getting hurt. Some are disappearing. Padua’s doing something to those kids, I need your help figuring out what it is,” Aurora pressed.

  “It isn’t that simple!” he pleaded, his voice cracking. “Just—just find someone else!”

  “Alright then…” Aurora stepped forward, gncing past him into the house. “Let’s talk to your child.”

  His entire demeanor changed in an instant. Panic, pure and raw, shot through his expression.

  “Don’t touch my kid!” he snapped, voice ced with warning.

  “I’m not here to hurt anyone but I need answers,” Aurora sighed, her frustration mounting. She stepped inside and shut the door behind her, letting her disguise drop.

  The transformation was immediate. His eyes went wide as he took in the sight before him—her ptinum hair, her golden wings, the unmistakable glow surrounding her.

  The man paled. His legs buckled, and then—

  He dropped to his knees.

  “A-a freaking ANGEL?” His voice trembled. “I—I’m sorry… I swear… I didn’t mean to sin… please… you have to understand!”

  Aurora stared at him, caught between exasperation and disbelief as he knelt there, pleading.

  This was going to be a long conversation.

  Aurora remained still, looking down at the broken man kneeling before her. She didn’t speak, didn’t offer immediate comfort—there were no empty words she could give. No absolution.

  For a long, heavy moment, he was silent. Then, finally, with a choked sob, he spoke.

  “My kid was caned,” he admitted, his voice raw with regret. “He’s still got scars from it but I don’t think that was all they did. I know the other kids are getting hurt too, but they said… and I thought as long as the gay problem was fixed, it was kind of okay…” His shoulders shook as he let out a slow, shuddering breath. “But he’s… he’s not the same. I’ve gotten him therapy, the more regur kind I mean, but nothing really helps.”

  Aurora clenched her jaw, suppressing the surge of anger rising in her chest. Every time she thought she understood how deep this went, how vile these people were, she found another level to their depravity. But she kept her composure—anger wouldn’t help right now.

  “This is testimony that can make a difference,” she said, her tone steady but firm. “Will you speak with a detective I trust and give your testimony to him?” She hesitated before asking, “Is your boy still injured?”

  The man shook his head quickly. “N-no… physically, he’s fine now. It was a year ago,” he said, rubbing his face. “But he’s permanently scarred. My kid… he broke the rules. Tried to run away. He told me… he said the other kids were starved sometimes. That was their way of teaching them they were wrong.” His hands balled into fists against his knees. “Can you heal him, angel?” he pleaded, looking up at her through red-rimmed eyes. “Can you help his mind? Even if he’s gay, that’s alright. I regret that I even thought it was a good idea. Please… please do what you can for him!” His voice cracked, and he reached for her hand, gripping it like a lifeline.

  Aurora swallowed hard, the weight of the moment pressing against her.

  “I could possibly heal him if his wounds were fresh,” she said softly, “but I can’t do anything for his mind… and I can’t erase scars.” She thought of Goonie, of the wound that had nearly taken her. The mark it would forever leave behind. Scars were the remnants of mistakes, the evidence of pain endured. They could fade, but they never truly disappeared. “I’m very sorry,” she continued. “But you can do something. You can help make sure this never happens to another child again.”

  She squeezed his hand, meeting his eyes with quiet intensity. “I’ll give you the contact information for Detective Benjamin Kirby. He’s a good man, a kind man, and he’s working with me to take that pce down. If you speak with him, if you help expose what’s happening there, we can end this. Together.”

  The man looked down, nodding through his quiet sobs.

  It wasn’t enough. It would never be enough.

  But it was a start.

  Over the next few days, Quinn still carried a chip on her shoulder, shooting the occasional gre at Leona, her lingering frustration evident. But gradually, she began to return to her usual self, retreating into her music with her headphones on, losing herself in beats and mixes like nothing had changed.

  Then, finally, she extended an olive branch—in her own way, at least.

  “You don’t do much aside from all this superheroing,” Quinn remarked casually, adjusting her soundboard as she spoke. “You shouldn’t ignore your normal body too. Why don’t you try jogging once in a while?”

  Leona blinked, caught off guard by the sudden suggestion. “I mean… it’s a good idea, but I already do parkour. I just haven’t practiced in a while.”

  “Well, that’s what I meant.” Quinn shrugged. “I have a few friends into it too. When I go, they’ll be here. You haven’t exactly been in touch with your old friends tely, right? Wouldn’t hurt to reconnect—or at least, meet some new people. Besides…” Her voice dropped slightly, turning a bit more serious. “You should learn some self-defense too.”

  Leona’s expression tightened. Quinn didn’t need to say what she was really thinking—if she hadn’t transformed, if she’d been able to fight back in her normal form, maybe things wouldn’t have gone the way they did. Maybe Goonie wouldn’t have gotten hurt.

  “If we both could handle ourselves,” Quinn continued, eyes sharp with unspoken guilt, “maybe we could’ve protected her. But she’s still here, and I’m still leaving her in your care, y’know?”

  Leona swallowed hard and nodded. “I know… I made mistakes. And I’ll do my best to improve.” She hesitated, considering something. “Maybe the Society of Sentinels has some kind of training program or lessons for new heroes. I haven’t asked yet, but you’re right.”

  Quinn nodded, finally cracking a small smile. “Good. Even though I’ll be leaving soon, I’ll be learning too.”

  For the first time in days, Leona felt like things might actually be okay between them.

  Finally, one week ter, the condo was repaired, complete with newly reinforced doors and stronger gss for the windows. Though the physical damage had been restored, the emotional wounds still lingered.

  Around then, Leona received an email from Detective Kirby asking her to meet him on the rooftop of the 24th precinct. Without hesitation, she headed right over. When she nded, he was already waiting.

  “Aurora,” Kirby said as she set down, his expression grim but determined. “You’ll be happy to know that I have a warrant from the DA to search the camp. We have to deliver a copy of the warrant to their local DA, but we’re holding off until we arrive. I need a favor. Since you’re faster than any police car, will you get me there and help me watch the compound while we wait for state officials and the other officers from San Isidro?”

  Aurora didn’t hesitate. “It’d be my pleasure, Detective.” She smiled, slipping around behind him and extending her field to envelop him. “You ready?” she asked, winking pyfully.

  Kirby gave a hesitant nod, and Aurora took off. As she pumped her wings to gain elevation, he shrieked like a little girl when she suddenly ‘opened up’ her throttle. She grinned but made sure to form a secure harness around him to keep him anchored. Using her ID card, she plotted a direct course to Padua.

  Pushing her power to its limit, they covered the distance faster than even she expected. When they arrived, Kirby was still making noises of distress, his fingers gripping the straps of the harness tightly.

  “Holy MOLEY!” he gasped. “Hold on a moment while my internal organs catch up with us. Set us down right at the gate.”

  She waited for his signal, then nded smoothly in front of the entrance. Straightening his jacket, Kirby walked up and rang the bell, his voice firm as he announced their presence.

  “This is Detective Kirby from San Isidro. I have a warrant signed by a San Isidro judge to search this compound, and we will be receiving backup from local and state authorities to carry out this search.”

  Kirby turned to Aurora and signaled for her to take to the skies. “Fly up and keep an eye on things. We’ll take a while to prepare. If you see anything involving endangering a child, I authorize you to stop it. Consider yourself a deputy.”

  Aurora nodded, smiling shyly. “Sorry to have scared you,” she said, unable to resist teasing him a little. “I didn’t intend to. I owe you a far more pleasant and leisurely flight sometime to make up for it.” With that, she shot into the air, scanning the compound from above.

  From her vantage point, she spotted several counselors heading toward a cluster of small, shed-like structures. The way they moved, the secrecy in their gestures, immediately set her on edge. One counselor unlocked a padlock, and two children tumbled out onto the dirt—naked, filthy, and handcuffed.

  Aurora’s breath hitched. Her stomach twisted violently. She reached for her communicator, her fingers shaking as she zoomed in and snapped high-resolution pictures. As more of the sheds were unlocked, she saw the same horror repeating. Children, barely clothed or completely naked, emerging weak and disoriented. Some were trembling so hard they couldn’t stand.

  Then she saw one of the counselors grab a child roughly by the arm, his fingers digging into the boy’s skin. That was it.

  Aurora didn’t hesitate. She bsted forward at full speed, hitting the ground so hard that the compound’s densely packed dirt cracked beneath her feet. A crater formed where she nded, sending a shockwave through the ground.

  The counselors froze.

  Her aura fred.

  “That’s it,” she seethed, her voice like steel. “You’re finished.”

  She lifted her communicator. “I’ve photographed everything. Proof of what you do here.” Her voice rose as her fury burned white-hot. “As a duly appointed deputy of the w, I am informing you that you are ALL under arrest for child endangerment and child abuse.”

  She advanced a step, her gre cutting through them.

  “Anyone who wants to resist, go ahead and try. Keep in mind—I’m far stronger than a police officer, and I don’t have a badge weighing me down.” She let that sink in before roaring, “I want all the kids rounded up at the gate, NOW. No one leaves this compound. IS THAT UNDERSTOOD?”

  Silence.

  Then one of the counselors shakily raised his radio and muttered into it, informing the others inside.

  Aurora turned her attention back to the makeshift cells. She stepped closer to one of the sheds and peered inside. The stench that hit her was overwhelming. It wasn’t just filth—it was suffering. There was no toilet, no ventition. The heat inside was unbearable, designed to break down whoever was locked in. The space was barely big enough for a four-foot-tall child to stand, and some of them had been crammed two to a box.

  Her stomach twisted again.

  The st shed was opened, and from within, a familiar, fragile voice croaked out.

  “Aurora…”

  Aurora’s heart clenched.

  Sarah.

  The girl staggered forward, her body weak, her face hollow with exhaustion. Her clothes—what little remained—were filthy and clung to her thin frame. Her voice cracked. “Thank God you came back… you… were right…” Tears welled in her eyes before spilling over, her body shuddering as she broke into full-blown sobs. “I’m sorry… I… Uwaaaahhh.”

  Aurora was at her side in an instant, sweeping her into a tight embrace. Sarah was trembling. She was nothing but skin and bone, her body slick with sweat and grime. The weight of her suffering hit Aurora like a tidal wave.

  Aurora buried her face in Sarah’s hair and whispered, “It’s okay, sweetie… it’s going to be okay.”

  Tears blurred her vision as she turned to the cowering counselors. Her voice dropped, low and lethal. “You’ve become the face of human evil.” Her fingers clenched. “You’ll answer for what you’ve done.”

  Sarah whimpered in her arms.

  Aurora held her even tighter. “I’ll see to it that they get you and the other students water and clothes. I’ll personally escort you home, though I have serious doubts that your parents are fit to care for you after sending you to this hell.”

  She shot a burning gre at the staff. “Have every staff member here bring these kids water, proper clothes, and food. Feed them.”

  Nobody hesitated. A few scurried off immediately.

  As the children were finally given something as basic as water, the compound gates swung open.

  Detective Kirby entered, fnked by state troopers and local w enforcement. His eyes swept the scene, the makeshift cells, the broken children, and then finally, to Aurora.

  He stormed forward, voice sharp with arm and barely restrained fury.

  “What the hell is going on here?”

  Aurora told them everything, detailing the horrors she had witnessed and emphasizing that she had captured high-resolution pictures as evidence. As she spoke, Kirby’s expression darkened into a deep, furious scowl. His jaw tightened, and his hands clenched into fists at his sides.

  “These kids truly have a Guardian Angel,” he muttered, his voice tight with restrained anger. Then, he turned to his officers, his command sharp and precise. “Alright, fan out. I want a full headcount and to verify every kid here against the records and the documents we’ve collected. Every single staff member needs to be accounted for and detained for questioning. No one leaves.” His orders were met with immediate action as state troopers spread throughout the compound, securing the area.

  At the gate, the local officers remained, standing stiffly. Aurora’s sharp eyes tracked them—she knew at least a couple of them were complicit. Just their presence here sent an unsettling shiver down her spine. A San Isidro patrol car had blocked the road leading in, ensuring no one escaped.

  Sarah clung tightly to Aurora, her small fingers digging into her suit. She could feel the girl trembling, her body still weakened from malnutrition, exhaustion, and fear. Aurora adjusted her grip slightly, shielding her from the worst of the commotion.

  Kirby’s gaze softened for a moment as he observed the girl clinging to her savior. “Looks like you’ve got yourself a friend,” he noted with a thin smile, though the tension never truly left his voice. Then, his expression hardened again as he turned back to the compound. “This pce is getting shut down today—mark my words. We’ll be bringing in school buses to transport these kids back to their homes. We can take it from here if you have somewhere else to be.”

  Aurora shook her head. “I’m taking Sarah home myself. She’s my contact here, and I know her.” Her fingers gently ran through Sarah’s dirty, sweat-matted hair. “I’ll see to it that she gets to her parents safely. As much as I hate the fact that they sent her here, I know they aren’t directly responsible for the horrors happening inside these walls.” She took a breath, trying to contain her simmering fury. “But those officers standing at the gate? They were involved. Some of them, at least. I recognize them. When I first came here, they were the ones who were unnecessarily rough with Sarah. They’re not just complicit—they believe in this pce. You might want to dig deeper into how far their involvement goes.”

  Kirby’s sharp eyes flicked toward the officers at the gate. He gave a slow nod, his expression darkening even further. “There’s a reason I have them here,” he admitted. “This investigation isn’t stopping at just the camp. We’re going to find out just how deep this rot goes.” His voice dropped to a near-growl. “Stay at least until we officially log Sarah’s presence. Then, I’ll authorize you to take her home. In the meantime, send me those photos. They’re going straight into the case file.”

  With a nod, Aurora carried Sarah inside. The interior of the compound was as bleak as she remembered—sterile, cold, and utterly devoid of warmth. They found a room where spare clothes were kept, and she helped Sarah change into something clean. The girl barely spoke, her voice raw from dehydration, but her hands never stopped trembling. She clung to Aurora even as she drank the bottle of water handed to her, sipping it in small, careful gulps.

  While Sarah rested, Aurora pulled out her communicator and sent the high-resolution images to Kirby’s email. The digital evidence was damning, leaving no room for doubt about the abuse that had been occurring here.

  Kirby returned shortly after, stepping into the room where they were seated. He nodded in satisfaction. “Everyone’s accounted for. Sarah’s been logged and confirmed as one of the victims here. You’re clear to take her home.” He exhaled heavily, as if the weight of what he had just witnessed was settling onto his shoulders. “Thanks for helping out on this, Aurora.”

  Before she could respond, Sarah’s fragile voice cut through the room.

  “Can you take me somepce else before we go home?” she asked, her voice trembling but determined. She sniffled, wiping at her face. “I want… to see my friend. I want to see Leona.”

  Aurora’s breath caught for just a moment. Her heart clenched.

  She tightened her hold on Sarah instinctively, pressing her lips together before she responded. “Alright,” she whispered, her voice gentle. “I’ll take you to see Leona.”