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Carlisle quickly understood what was happening. The police seemed suspicious, believing he might be involved with the fat man from the morning incident due to his surprising knowledge of the situation. His calm demeanor in the face of questioning must have raised their doubts.
Thinking quickly, Carlisle crafted a logical and convincing explanation. “Christine comes from a poor family. She usually walks to school, but she often ends up being late. Today, with the SATs, I was worried she wouldn’t make it to school in time, so I decided to go pick her up.”
The officers seemed to relax a little after hearing his explanation. After a brief conversation with others, they learned that Christine’s teacher was well aware of her circumstances and had never penalized her for being late. That eased their suspicions.
Lucy accompanied Carlisle and Christine as they left the police station. Christine, pale and shaken, walked beside them, clearly still rattled by the ordeal. The police officer had just informed her that the man Carlisle had confronted that morning was an extremely dangerous individual—an infamous rapist who had assaulted five women over the past three years. Despite his reputation, the police had failed to catch him due to a lack of evidence and surveillance footage. If Carlisle hadn’t intervened, the consequences could have been dire.
Lucy’s voice trembled as she grasped Christine’s hands. “You have to be more careful in the future. Stay alert, okay?”
Christine nodded silently, her face still drained of color as she processed the events of the day.
Turning to Carlisle, Lucy’s tone softened into one of admiration. “Carlisle, I’m so proud of you. You did the right thing today. I’m going to request that the school give you an award for your bravery. Everyone needs to know how courageous and kind you are.”
Carlisle couldn’t help but smile inwardly. Despite his injuries from the confrontation with the rapist, he had told everyone he got them from a bike accident. He wasn’t interested in the spotlight. It was as if he was trying to hide his good deeds, something he had never done before.
Lucy’s gaze lingered on him, a warmth in her eyes. She had always been disappointed in Carlisle’s previous behavior, especially when he’d skipped school to spend hours at a cybercafe. Now, though, she saw a different side of him—someone who had truly changed, and for the better.
“It’s not cowardly to see what is right and not act on it. Courage is a core value in our society,” Lucy said, her voice steady. “It reflects our integrity as a nation, and we should all strive to embody that. Our country has given us the opportunity to receive an education, and it’s our duty to hold onto these values and contribute to a better society.”
Carlisle’s words were sincere, and they seemed to touch Lucy deeply. Her gaze sparkled with newfound respect as she looked at him. “I never thought I’d see this side of you, Carlisle. You’ve really changed.”
Christine, too, seemed affected by his words. Her expression shifted, and a faint blush crept up her neck as she avoided looking him in the eye. It was clear she was wrestling with something more than just the events of the day.
Afterward, Lucy used her own money to treat both Carlisle and Christine to a meal. Once they were done, she booked a room for Christine at a nearby hostel, ensuring she would be safe for the night.
As the sun set, Carlisle had planned on riding home, but he ran into Sean just outside the station.
“Carlisle, where did Mrs. Turner take you and Christine?” Sean asked, clearly curious.
“To the police station,” Carlisle replied casually.
Sean’s eyes widened in shock. “What the heck? Did you cheat or something?”
Carlisle chuckled. “That’s not it. Do I look like I need to cheat?”
He then explained the situation, and Sean burst into laughter, clearly amused. “Man, you deserve full marks for creativity!”
Carlisle raised an eyebrow. “What do you mean?”
Sean grinned. “Your imagination is wild. You should write a novel with the kind of stories you come up with.”
Carlisle shook his head, smiling despite himself. “You can believe whatever you want.”
Sean, still laughing, slung an arm around Carlisle’s shoulders. “Hey, I saw an arcade when I went out to eat. Let’s go play!”
Carlisle smirked. “Aren’t you going home?”
Sean shook his head, unbothered. “Nah, I booked a hostel for the night. You’re coming with me!”
And so, the two of them headed to the arcade, leaving the stresses of the day behind. Carlisle decided to enjoy his youth, especially now that he had been reborn with a new sense of purpose.
They spent hours playing in the arcade, their laughter and competitive spirit filling the space. Time flew by, and before they knew it, it was well past midnight. Tired but content, they made their way back to the hostel to rest.
Carlisle lay in bed that night, reflecting on the strange twists of fate that had brought him here, but he knew one thing for certain—he would make the most of this second chance. His journey was just beginning.