Aiko sat on the back porch of Crazy Jack’s hideout. She had a niggling feeling that she couldn’t quite place since meeting Jerry. She needed the jet fuel so that Nigel could battle Doc Chop, but there was something that wasn’t quite right about Jerry. Perhaps it was the way he looked at Nigel or tried to seek attention from him after he learned about his brother. She wasn’t sure.

“Can’t sleep?” Jack asked.

“I’m tired, but I’m responsible for so many people now. I often don’t sleep very well,” Aiko said.

“Are you still looking for him?”

Aiko gave Jack a look. “Who?”

“You know… the professor. I know he hurt you. I promised your uncle if something ever happened to him that I would help you.”

“I’m not a little girl anymore.”

“I know, kid, but your parents would be so proud,” Jack said.

Aiko didn’t want to admit to the others who Jack really was. He had worked for her father and was best friends with Hiroto, her uncle. She hated involving the old man or putting him in danger.

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“Where did you find the kid,” she asked.

“He… just showed up one day when I was tending to my bunnies.”

“He showed up at your door?”

“No, no, the bunnies were multiplying so fast I had to relocate my operation across the street, next to the greenhouse. This kid showed up one day asking for a handout. When I asked about his parents, he said that his father was a scientist and his mother got… killed by his aunt. It all sounded pretty screwed up. So, I took him in. He’s been with me ever since.”

“You made it sound like you knew his parents.”

“Well, I didn’t want to upset the group. But I think it’s good to get the boy out of town with everything that’s happened. He deserves a fresh start.”

“So, let me get this straight. We’re risking our lives on taking a boy back that you have not fully vetted? It doesn’t sound like the Jack I know,” Aiko said.

“You know, your old man was suspicious of me when he took me in. I turned out okay,” Jack said.

Aiko thought about it for a moment. She longed to have a normal life. She had been groomed to be her uncle’s purveyor of justice, even if he didn’t see it that way. She wondered what it would be like to go to a normal school, date normal boys, live a normal life. But that bastard took all of that away. She was going to kill Professor Paladin if it was the last thing she did. The problem was, she didn’t know where he was. She had taken up ham radio to stay in contact with people who might have seen Doc Chop, since it was rumored that Paladin was connected with him.

Revenge is a rotten meal that turns the heart into stone, her uncle would often say.

“Well… it was fun meeting your pals. Good night, dear,” Jack said, and kissed her forehead.

Aiko took one of the old man’s hands and squeezed.

“Good night, Godfather.”