Neil and Eric were nearby, both in costume already. Shawn idly wondered if they slept in the things, or if they hadn’t slept at all last night, and had been on their way back from patrol. The bombings had only calmed down a short while ago, and they had been immediately followed up by the attacks by Empire Eighty-Eight, with Purity’s rampage.

Eric raised a hand to wave a ‘hi’ to Addison. Addison raised a hand in response.

Because of the periodic barbecue and because they both went to the same cape-safe therapist, the two had found each other in the same circles. Enough to know names and talk about movies or shows.

A light rain already pattered down around them.

“Hey,” Robin said, as he caught up. He laid a hand on Dauntless’s shoulder. “Hi Addison.”

“Hi.”

“You good to go?”

Shawn nodded. “As soon as I’ve taken care of Addison.”

“That’s fine. It’s not far. We’re heading over now.”

“Even Eric?” Addison asked.

“Yeah,” Robin said. “Even Eric.”

There weren’t any parting words. No urging to come, no commentary on the possibility he could take his son and simply make a break for it, to get as far away as possible.

They all had to.

Shawn led his son along with the crowd, toward the archives building. Government owned, and that always made setting up the shelter easier. The stairs were packed with people, with police managing the flow of people in past the circular, bank-vault-like door.

“Jean!” Shawn called out. A neighbor.

Jean jogged over.

“Look after him?” he asked her.

“I don’t need looking after.”

“Are you sure?” Jean asked.

“I have to—” Shawn started. He couldn’t finish the sentence.

“Mr. Combe needs help,” Addison said.

“If I can’t get him to this shelter or if it hits capacity in the meantime, I’ll go to the one at the library. Please.”

Jean nodded.

He dropped to his knees, the heavy gym bag making some noise as it landed. He was aware he was getting his knees and things wet. He pulled Addison into a hug that was probably too tight.

A dumb thing to do, as he buried his face into his son’s neck. He couldn’t bring himself to let go.

“Call me, as soon as—”

He nodded.

It was Addison who pulled away, turning his back immediately to go to Jean, who he only casually knew, hugging her with one arm. He was just tall enough to put his head against her shoulder.

Jean turned and gave Shawn a somber nod.

She probably knew. The times he’d called her over to watch things because of an emergency call, especially when the bombings had been happening.

He watched Addison go for longer than he should have. Had he left sooner, he wouldn’t have seen Addison rub at his eyes.