Chapter 66

Chapter 66
Michael stood at the intersection outside the police station, waiting for the traffic light to change.
His gaze drifted toward the surrounding skyscrapers, then swept across the stream of pedestrians hurrying past.
The peaceful cityscape, with its orderly traffic and busy sidewalks, suddenly struck him as unreal—like the mirages he'd seen in the Syrian desert, beautiful illusions that vanished upon approach.
The traffic light turned green. The crowd surged forward, but Michael remained motionless at the curb, separated from the human current.
He felt like an outsider—something displaced, something that didn't belong here.
Everyone around him seemed to know their purpose, their direction, moving with confident strides toward definite destinations. But Michael had nowhere to go.
Georgiana waited at the riverbank, watching sunlight scatter across the water's surface. When she spotted Joseph approaching, she took out her phone and turned it off. Next, she removed her recorder, took out its battery, then placed both items into her purse.
Joseph watched her actions with confusion. "What's going on?" he asked hesitantly.
"I just want to chat," Georgiana replied with a smile. "Not as a reporter, but as a friend." She paused, studying his expression. "Though I don't know if you consider me a friend."
Joseph seemed startled by her question. "Of course we're friends. Besides you, I haven't dared tell anyone about what happened. I know you've protected my identity too. If you hadn't, all my classmates would be isolating me by now."
Georgiana nodded, her gaze returning to the water. "Do you know why I've been helping you, Joseph?"
"Why?"
"Have you heard about 'Candy'?"
"Your award-winning photograph? Of course," Joseph replied. "Everyone's talking about it."
"You're like those children I wanted to save," Georgiana said softly. "The ones in that photograph."
Joseph didn't fully understand the comparison, but he nodded earnestly. "You have saved me. Mr. Thornton doesn't even dare come near me now."
"Maybe," Georgiana sighed. "But I might be fired from the network soon."
"What? Why?" Joseph's eyes widened with alarm. "Is someone threatening you? I noticed your article was deleted from everywhere." His face flushed with anger. "I saw that letter from the students defending Thornton. It's fake! They haven't seen the truth!"
Georgiana turned to look at him, her eyes calm but distant. "I'm not sure anymore if what I saw was the truth, either."
"What..." Joseph froze. "What does that mean?"
The wind picked up, sending ripples across the river's surface. Georgiana watched them spread and disappear before speaking again.
"I've been ill lately, Joseph. My mind's been chaotic, and I overlooked something important." She met his eyes directly. "About Mr. Thornton's abuse toward you—you gave me specific information and evidence. But regarding Nicholas—aside from your testimony, those unclear screenshots, and that chaotic video clip, do you have more evidence? Could you tell me which parts of his body were bruised or injured? If you tell me, I can write another article. Even if the network fires me, even if millions criticize me."
She continued, her voice softening. "A friend told me journalists shouldn't get emotionally involved. But if you can guarantee that everything you've told me is true, without any exaggeration, I'll risk everything to protect you and fight them. Can you promise me that?"
Joseph looked visibly conflicted.
Georgiana stared at the river, her expression shifting to self-mockery. "I thought I was atoning for something, but it seems I've committed another mistake."
Though confused by her words, Joseph grew agitated. His eyes welled up with tears. "I swear to you!" he said vehemently. "Mr. Thornton has been hitting and yelling at me for almost six months! Every location, every time—I haven't lied about anything! The physical and emotional wounds are all real! I told you when I saw doctors, when I complained to the education bureau and school administration. I told you everything!"
"I know," Georgiana nodded. "I verified those things, which is why I believed you. But what about Nicholas? Was he present during these incidents? Was he abused alongside you?"
Joseph began to stammer, wavering in his certainty. "He told me that the teacher once... yelled at him, and I think also... pushed him..." His voice grew quieter. "I didn't actually see it myself..."
Georgiana recalled Michael's warning: "I'm worried you'll have to bear the consequences alone."
She gazed at the water, suddenly contemplating how it might feel to sink beneath its surface. If she just sank to the bottom, would the world become clear and transparent?
"Joseph," she said abruptly, "don't believe Mr. Thornton's insults. You're a good kid." Her voice softened. "Don't let past hurts change who you are. Keep being a good person, okay?"
"Okay," he responded quietly.
They parted ways—Joseph heading back to school, while Georgiana remained alone by the riverside, uncertain where to go.
Georgiana wandered aimlessly through the streets, feeling like a stranger in a city she'd known all her life. Billboards, traffic lights, skyscrapers, and the faces of passing strangers all seemed foreign and cold.
The world had transformed into something unrecognizable—or perhaps she was the one who had changed.
Without conscious intent, her feet carried her to the police station. Her voice trembled as she asked the officer at the front desk, "Is Michael—Officer Hall—here?"
"He took the afternoon off," came the disinterested reply.
She turned to leave, only to find herself face-to-face with one of the officers who had tried to confiscate her camera days earlier. His eyes narrowed with recognition.
"You've ruined Michael," he said, his voice low but caustic. "He vouched for you, and what did you do? Published that article and cost everyone their bonuses." He smirked. "At least the case is closing now."
"I'm sorry," Georgiana whispered, her head bowed as she moved toward the exit.
Behind her, commotion erupted as another officer burst into the lobby.
"Something's happening! A student from Westbrook Academy named Joseph Kennedy has come forward publicly, claiming he's the 'Joseph' who accused Thornton. He's demanding police investigate Thornton and says the school and education bureau are covering things up!"
Georgiana didn't turn around.
She didn't pause. She simply continued walking, disappearing into the bustling street outside as the chaos unfolded behind her.