Emily almost laughed despite herself.
Then Jimmy became serious.
"I learned what happens here."
He told her about the Kings.
About Tyler.
About the students.
Emily's expression changed.
"How do you know about Tyler?"
"I asked questions."
She stared at him.
"That's terrifying."
"I understand."
Jimmy paused.
"But I needed to know."
Then he said something Emily would never forget.
"You shouldn't have to be the only wall protecting these kids."
Emily looked toward the school.
"I don't have a choice."
Jimmy shook his head.
"You do now."
The King
A side door suddenly opened.
Four boys stepped onto the lawn.
Emily recognized one immediately.
DeShawn.
One of the East Side Kings.
He tried to look confident.
"What's all this?"
Jimmy looked at him.
"DeShawn."
The boy froze.
"How do you know my name?"
"I know about Tyler."
DeShawn's expression changed.
"You don't know nothing."
Jimmy took one step closer.
"You've spent three years making children afraid of you."
He gestured toward the motorcycles.
"Look around."
DeShawn did.
"You built your reputation on being the biggest thing in a building full of children."
Jimmy's voice remained calm.
"You're not the biggest thing here anymore."
DeShawn backed away.
"This isn't over."
Jimmy smiled slightly.
"No."
Then he looked toward the school.
"It's just beginning."
Tyler Speaks
Before anyone could say anything else, a school door opened.
Tyler Brooks ran outside.
Emily's heart stopped.
"Tyler!"
He was shaking.
But he kept walking.
Then he pointed at Marcus Webb.
"He's the one."
Marcus's face changed.
Tyler's voice trembled.
"He made me carry things."
Silence.
"He told me he'd hurt my little sister if I told anyone."
Emily stepped forward.
"Tyler, you don't have to—"
"I do."
The boy's eyes filled with tears.
"I'm tired of being scared."
Marcus stepped toward him.
"Shut your mouth, you little—"
"Don't."
Jimmy's voice cut across the street.
Marcus stopped.
Jimmy turned toward Officer Delgado.
"You heard that."
Delgado nodded.
"I did."
Marcus tried to run.
Two officers caught him.
The handcuffs snapped shut.
Everything happened quickly after that.
The other Kings scattered.
Tyler collapsed into Emily's arms.
"I was scared," he sobbed.
"I know."
"I've been scared for so long."
Emily held him tightly.
"It's over now."
Behind them, Jimmy watched quietly.
For the first time that morning, his face showed something close to sadness.
Because he knew what it meant for a child to live in fear.
The Promise
Jimmy crouched in front of Tyler.
"Look at me, son."
Tyler slowly raised his eyes.
"What you did today took more courage than most grown men have."
Tyler swallowed.
"He's not going to hurt my sister?"
"No."
Jimmy's answer was immediate.
"He's not going to hurt anybody."
Then Jimmy said:
"You have people watching your back now."
Tyler looked at him.
"You mean it?"
"I don't say things I don't mean."
Emily watched the exchange.
Something had changed.
Not only in Tyler.
In the entire school.
For years, the students had been taught to survive.