The minutes stretched endlessly as Buddy sat quietly in the small office, the hum of the station filling the space around him. The distant chatter of officers, the ringing phones, and muffled footsteps all felt like echoes from a world he was no longer truly part of. Around him, the night carried on as if nothing had changed; but inside, his mind raced with weighty memories and impossible truths.
"Hey, Buddy," Officer Jenkins said gently, breaking the silence. "You want to talk about what happened? I know it's been a lot to take in."
Buddy shook his head slowly, swallowing hard. His throat felt dry and tight—there was no way he could explain the whirlwind inside his head. To them, this was just a terrifying crash, a scary night; to him, it was a fracture in time, a stolen moment carved out of impossible circumstances.
"I get it, though," Jenkins continued with a soft smile. "It's normal to feel overwhelmed after something like that. You're not alone in this."
Buddy's heart clenched at the kindness in Jenkins's voice. He wanted to cry, to scream, but he swallowed it down. Anger, confusion, pain—those feelings churned inside him, tangled with memories of battles fought not here, but in a life that now felt achingly distant.
Sergeant Harris looked up from the landline phone, her expression softening. "Buddy, your mom's on her way. She should be here any minute now," she said, placing the receiver back on the cradle.
Hearing 'mom' was like a sudden rush of both comfort and anxiety. He had always wanted her to be proud, but the mistakes that led him here sat heavy on his chest.
"Would you like to talk to her when she arrives?" Sergeant Harris asked gently.
Buddy shrugged, unable to speak. How could he explain what had actually happened? How could he explain that this wasn't just some accident—he had been here before, and something about this night was different? He clenched his hands, eyes fixed on the cracked linoleum floor.
"Whatever you need, we'll help you get through this," Sergeant Harris assured him, reaching out to rest a firm but kind hand on his shoulder.
A sudden noise at the door drew their attention. Evelyn Pine hurried in, her face pale with worry, but relief flooded her features when she spotted Buddy.
"Buddy!" she exclaimed, rushing forward to wrap him in a tight embrace. The simple warmth of her hug steadied him for a moment.
"I'm so glad you're okay," she whispered, voice trembling.
"I'm… fine," Buddy managed, though inside, the storm raged on.
Evelyn pulled back and looked into his eyes, searching for some indication of what he was feeling. "What happened? I saw the news..."
Sergeant Harris stepped forward smoothly. "It was a difficult night, ma'am. There was a crash on the railway bridge, and some chaos nearby... but Buddy's safe now."
Evelyn nodded, still gripping Buddy's hand tightly. "Thank you for taking care of him."
"I'm just glad your here," Buddy said quietly, the words tasting strange. His mind churned, knowing that none of them suspected the truth only he held.
Sergeant Harris offered a reassuring smile. "You're not alone tonight, Buddy. We'll help you get through this."
The room settled into a fragile quiet. Buddy's mind turned inward, wrestling with the memories only he possessed—the life he'd lived, the choices made, and the chance to maybe change it all.
"I don't want to be that kid anymore," he whispered to himself, voice barely audible.
Evelyn's eyes softened. "You're stronger than you know, Buddy. And you have people who love you."
Laura nodded. "The night was hard, but your bravery stood out. You did good."
A spark of determination flickered in Buddy's chest. Maybe he could make different choices this time. Maybe he could find a way to make right what had gone wrong.
Suddenly, the station intercom crackled. "All units, suspicious activity reported near the old warehouse district. Possible sighting of Bomb Voyage."
Suddenly, Evelyn stepped forward, her voice soft but firm. "Come on, Buddy. Let's get you home. You need some rest after everything that's happened tonight."
Buddy nodded slowly, his body heavy with exhaustion and the weight of his swirling emotions. He allowed her to gently take his hand as they made their way toward the door.
Sergeant Harris and Officer Jenkins exchanged a glance, their expressions serious but understanding.
"We've got a possible sighting of Bomb Voyage near the old warehouse district," Harris said quietly. "We need to head out and follow up on that lead. But Buddy, remember, you're safe now. We're here if you need anything just want to talk."
Jenkins smiled warmly. "Take care, Buddy. You did good tonight."
Buddy managed a small nod in response as the officers turned and left the station, their footsteps fading down the hall.
Outside, the cool night air wrapped around Buddy and Evelyn, a quiet contrast to the chaos they had just left behind. Evelyn's grip was steady and reassuring as she helped him into the passenger seat of her car.
As the engine hummed to life, Buddy leaned back, his eyelids growing heavy. The adrenaline that had fueled him now faded, replaced by an overwhelming tiredness that tugged him toward sleep.
With a quiet sigh, Buddy let his mind drift, emotions washing over him like waves as he slowly surrendered to rest — the kind of deep, necessary sleep that comes after a long, turbulent night.
~End of Chapter~
*This is a work of fiction and is intended for entertainment purposes only. I do not own The Incredibles or any of its characters, settings, or related intellectual property. The Incredibles is the property of Pixar Animation Studios and Disney. This fanfic is created purely for the enjoyment of fans and is not intended for profit. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.*