The next Day, Tommy and Marco had gone to a Mall in the City to talk. He had spent the previous night at Marco’s house, and was still hesitant to return home. He and Marco were sitting in the Mall’s food court, enjoying their lunch, when Marco spoke up,

  MARCO : Okay. I’m gonna say it, when are you gonna talk to your Padre, Tommy?

  TOMMY : O-oh, uh…well…

  MARCO : You’re too nervous, huh? Guess I can understand that, given the situation…still, you really should head Home sooner rather than later.

  TOMMY : I know, I know…it’s just…I don’t know what I’ll say…

  As Tommy went to pick up his spoon, it suddenly moved to the side, then leapt up into the air!

  TOMMY : WHAT TH-

  The Spoon morphed into a boy Tommy and Marco’s age. They both recognized him, as it was their friend, Andrew. He was a shapeshifter, hence why he was a Spoon. No one knows how he can shapeshift, but given they have a team of Superheroes, they don’t really question it much.

  TOMMY : Oh, it’s just you, Andrew…you scared me!

  ANDREW : Sorry, it was just too fun an idea to pass up!

  Andrew handed Tommy his real Spoon, which he used to eat his Soup. Andrew sat with Marco and Tommy, taking an egg out of his pocket and biting the top off it, which made both of them look at him funny.

  MARCO : …Okay, then…so, Andrew…aren’t you curious as to why Tommy’s back from being dead?

  ANDREW : I just assumed he’s a zombie.

  TOMMY : …You think I’m a zombie?

  ANDREW : …with a good skincare routine?

  Marco facepalmed, while Andrew just took another bite out of the egg.

  MARCO : Back to the topic at hand…you really should head Home soon, Tommy. You know how your Dad is, he’ll find out you’re back eventually. I mean not only is he the freaking Mayor, he runs a Security Company, he’ll find out pretty soon.

  TOMMY : You’re right…but what’ll I tell him?

  MARCO : I dunno, the Truth? I mean you told ME the Truth.

  TOMMY : Yeah, but…

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  ANDREW : Look. Whatever happened, your Dad will probably believe you. After all, you’re all he has these days…

  TOMMY : …That’s…uncharacteristically mature of you, Andrew.

  ANDREW : …Huh? I blacked out for a sec, I think-

  TOMMY : Ugh…back to normality. Well, I’ve decided to go Home eventually…and I think I’ve settled for Tonight.

  MARCO : Why night?

  TOMMY : Well…

  ANDREW : You’re gonna sneak in so you can hide that Mask, aren’t you.

  JASON : …How did he know-

  TOMMY : Uhh…n-no…

  ANDREW : …Well that was my only guess.

  Not long after, Tommy left the Mall, and had to wait until Night to return Home. To pass the time, he went back to the Cemetery where he was buried. He stood over his own grave. It felt surreal, knowing that’s where he was meant to be right now. Remembering he’s supposed to be dead made him feel sick in the stomach. As he stood there, Jason spoke with him telepathically,

  JASON : It’s a strange feeling, isn’t it? Being alive after death?

  TOMMY : That’s putting it mildly…it almost feels me living is…wr-wrong…makes me wanna vomit…

  JASON : Not again, you’ve done more than enough of that, boy.

  There was a moment of silence, before Jason spoke again,

  JASON : Don’t let your mind linger on it. Nobody should ever feel guilty for Living.

  TOMMY : It’s not that I feel “guilty”...just like I’m doing something I shouldn’t be.

  JASON : Every Life has a purpose, and thus value. And…you do not need to justify living.

  TOMMY : Right…well, it’s getting Late…I should…y’know…go home.

  With that, Tommy left the Cemetery, and left for his Home. It was a large House, practically a mansion. It had top of the line security from his Dad’s company, but he knew the steps to get by it. He got to the back door of the house, and grabbed a spare key that was hidden under a flower pot. Once he got inside, he snuck to the staircase, passing the Living room.

  TOMMY : Okay…just gotta get to my room, hide the Black Mask, and go from there-

  As he whispered to himself, a Lamp in the Living room flicked on. Tommy froze, before turning to see his Father, Abraham, sitting in a chair by the lamp, and reading a novel. Abraham was a very large Man, standing at 6 feet tall and being noticeably muscular. His hair was long and tied into a ponytail draped over his shoulder, and he had a long beard. After a second, he closed the book, and looked at Tommy.

  ABRAHAM : …Welcome Home, son.

  TOMMY : Uh…y-you were expecting me?

  ABRAHAM : Ms. Scarlets called me yesterday. I hardly believed it…so. Tell me the story, then.

  Tommy nervously rubbed his shoulder, knowing he couldn’t lie. Not to him. With a sigh, he sat across from Abraham and told him the whole truth. About the truck, going to Purgatory and Hell, his deal with Satan and with Jason, the Black Mask, everything. Abraham sat with his hands clasped, listening intently.

  TOMMY : That’s…all that happened…I know it sounds absurd-

  ABRAHAM : But I believe you.

  Tommy was surprised. Admittedly, he knew the story was ridiculous, and he had to do a lot to get Marco to believe him, but Abraham believed him without hesitation?

  TOMMY : You…you do?

  ABRAHAM : You know well that I’m Christian, Thomas. But beyond that…you’re my Son. Of course I believe you.

  Tommy felt like tearing up, but held it back.

  TOMMY : Th-the reason I hadn’t come back until now is because…I was afraid you wouldn’t believe me…

  Abraham walked over to Tommy, and rested his hand on his shoulder. Tommy stood up, as well, as Abraham pulled him into a hug. After a moment, Tommy returned the hug.

  ABRAHAM : You never need to feel like you can’t tell me something.

  Abraham let go of him, and patted his back.

  ABRAHAM : Now head to your room, Son. About time you slept in your own Bed again.

  Tommy nodded and went upstairs to his Room. He kicked off his boots, and took off his hoodie. Both in pretty desperate need of being washed. He laid the Black Mask on his desk, and crawled into bed. But before laying down, he stopped, having a thought. He first said a silent prayer in his head, before laying back and quickly falling asleep. He was Home.

  While he was asleep, Abraham snuck into the room, and briefly examined the Black Mask. He felt it with his fingertips, before picking it up and looking at it closer.

  ABRAHAM : A Mask with a Demon inside…

  He set the Mask down and went to his Study. He looked at a picture of Tommy he had on his desk. It was him as a baby, being held by Abraham. There was room for someone on the other side of him, but the space was empty. He walked up to the window, looking up at the night sky.

  ABRAHAM : …Seems it’s almost time. I’ll keep my word…but it won’t be easy…