“Even if we were to take a more probationary approach, which is one other possibility… someone on probation can’t associate with villains. I’m sorry. You could push for it to go to tribunal, it would be argued, but…”

The man trailed off.

Either way, I lose my friend, Chastity thought. The boy I like.

“I’m not a villain,” Lily said. She reached out for Sabah’s hand. “It’s already been established with the Wardens. My partner and I are leaving tomorrow. We’ll be bringing others with us, to establish ourselves in the city itself.”

“As heroes.”

“As heroes, with oversight. If it keeps Rain out of jail and keeps him in a place where he’s healthy, productive, and still working off his sentence by contributing to the community… jail won’t make him a better person.”

“Contributing to the community… but not as a cape.”

“Not as a cape,” Lily said, firmly. “For… how many years?”

“It would be until he turned eighteen. A year and a half. We’d consider it,” the man said. “I’d have to check. And of course, it would have to be okay with Rain…”

Rain looked at the collected Undersiders, at Chastity, at Roman, who stood off to one side.

He nodded.

The man addressed Lily. “Give us your contact information. If you’re moving tomorrow, we’ll come meet you in two days, after checking with the Wardens.”

Lily walked away with the man, pulling out her phone.

Sabah remained behind.

“You’re really going?” Cassie asked.

“Yes,” Sabah said. She smiled. “For too long, I’ve pulled Lily after me. To dark places even I hated going to. I think that’s what scared her, more than anything. I… I was making compromises to stay connected to the Undersiders and help support New Brockton, and I think it’s time Lily do what she needs to do. I’ll support her. Roman’s coming too. So are several of the other locals without powers.”

⊙

Erin and Lachlan were present, helping Rain with getting everything together. They were among the cape-adjacent, but they would be staying near Aunt Rachel’s.

Rain had worked late to help build the last of the greenhouse. Scavenged metal fit into framework made of the metal panels. Wood to brace it and keep it from blowing over. The windows would be openable as required.

“You should go talk to him, say goodbye,” Cassie said. “You’ll regret if it you don’t.”

“Is he happier, not going to jail?” Chastity asked.

“I think he’s happy so long as it’s recognized. He doesn’t want it to be glossed over. Do you want to be with him?”

“I can’t. I’m a villain,” Chastity said.

“If you went with Lily, you could be like Roman, and rebrand as a hero.”

“But then I wouldn’t have you,” Chastity said. “And that’s so much worse.”

“I kind of talked to Rachel,” Cassie said. “If you wanted to go, I could come with. We need ethical dog breeding and dog care in the city. Some of the dogs are trained for search and rescue. There’s room for me to apply what I know.”