It started that summer

Final Goodbye (The End)

With trembling hands, I set down the emblem, my heart aching at the thought of leaving it behind. "You were my identity," I murmured, almost as if I were apologizing for it. "But I can't be that kid anymore. I've fought too hard to find my way back, to rebuild my life."

I took a deep breath, "I'm not the kid I used to be, the one you thought you could break. I'm reclaiming my life. You're no longer my shadow." With one last look at the emblem, I placed it gently on the floor beside the letter, letting the memories drift away like the snowflakes outside. I stood up, "So long, fucker! I can't wait to never see you again. And here's a little joke for you: I'm still alive. You couldn't take me out the first time or the second. Honestly, you're a pretty damned pathetic villain if you ask me." I leaned in, a smirk tugging at my lips. "You thought you could break me? You thought you could snuff out my light? Look around dipshit—you've got nothing on me."

As I stepped out of the announcer's room and onto the baseball field, the cold air wrapped around me like a cloak. Each step felt heavy, almost as if the ground beneath me was trying to pull me back, the memories of that night pressing in like a thick fog. I focused on the crunch of snow under my boots, trying to push through the haunting reminders of what had happened here. With every step, I felt a faintness creeping in, a reminder of how close I had come to losing everything. My heart raced. The world around me blurred as I trudged forward. "Jason!" Dick's voice cut through the quiet. He sprinted across the field, the snow spraying beneath his feet. "Hey, you okay?" I wanted to answer but the words stuck in my throat. Instead, I kept walking, feeling the memories crash over me like waves. The night I had been here—the darkness, the violence, the brush with death. The pride and win I felt just moments ago seemed distant now. Suddenly, I found myself falling to my knees, laughter erupting from my lips uncontrollably, a wild sound that echoed through the empty field. Dick raced to my side in an instant, concern etched across his face as he knelt beside me. "Jason!" he exclaimed, pulling me into his chest, the snowy grass soaking through our clothes. "What's happening?" My laughter rang out into the stillness of the field, I felt a strange mix of emotions bubbling inside me—happiness, relief, and something else that I couldn't quite name. "I've got you," He promised, holding onto me.

The laughter twisted into something erratic, spiraling beyond my control. I felt a tremor run through me, the cold seeping into my bones, and suddenly I was caught in a whirlwind of chaotic energy. "Hahahaha!" I laughed, desperate to stop but unable to regain control.

Dick's gaze locked onto my trembling form, "Hey, hey, it's okay. Let's get you warm," he said, quickly shedding his jacket and wrapping it around my shoulders. The fabric cocooned me, providing a momentary shield against the biting cold. I couldn't stop the nervous laughter bubbling up, the tears threatening to spill over, or the way my body jerked involuntarily. I felt like I was trapped, I couldn't understand why my body was reacting this way. "Hey, you don't have to laugh if you don't want to. It's okay to feel whatever you're feeling right now." He tightened his grip on my shoulders, grounding me as I fought against the tidal wave of emotions.

But then the sobs hit me hard, crashing over the laughter. I buried my face in my hands, shaking violently, each breath hitching in my throat as tears streamed down my cheeks. "I don't know what's happening!" I gasped between sobs.

Dick didn't hesitate. He pulled me back against his chest, letting me cry. "Little wing, listen," He said gently, "What are you feeling right now? It's your body's way of reacting to stress. It's called a fight-or-flight response. Your mind is processing a lot, and sometimes it can trigger these reactions—like laughter or shaking."

I looked at him, confusion mixing with fear. "I-I" I stammered, the nervous laughter bubbling up again.

"I know it feels overwhelming," he reassured me, his voice steady. "But it's okay. Just breathe. Focus on me. You're safe here. You're so brave for doing what you did back there." He tucked my head into his neck, and I could hear his smile, "I wish I was half the man you are. Everything is okay now. We can take as much time as we need."