Time Out and Bail Out (finale part)
Jason finally came to the Police Station to pick up Eric and pay the fine. The Police chief looked up at Jason with curiosity, Jason was sweating a little only because he’s afraid that the chief might recognize him. “May I help you sir?” The chief asked. Jason was relieved that the chief didn’t recognize him or judge him for his appearance. He wrote a note to the chief to tell him who he’s here for, and paid the right amount of fine. “Just take your seat sir and I will fetch him out for you.” The Chief said before he enters the cells.
Eric was sitting on the bench with a bigger and more terrifying prisoner. “Eric, someone is here to bail you out, you’re free to go.” The chief asked before he lets Eric out. Eric was relieved and grateful, however, he thought it was MJ that was bailing him out, but once he exits out of the cell room, he saw Jason without the mask waiting for him. Eric was hyperventilating when he saw him; why him, where’s MJ? He thought the only reason why Jason was here instead of MJ is either she was still angry with him, or that Jason wanted to kill him for hurting MJ.
Jason patted Eric in the back gently and took him out of the building, he even offered him some maple fudge. Once they’re out of the city and just about to head back to the woods, Jason wanted to talk to Eric about what he have heard from his family. “Look, Jason, I don’t know what MJ has told you, but I would never in my life would want to hurt MJ; I just don’t know what happened, it’s like I was being controlled or I was being possessed or something...” Eric said while acting nervous. Jason laid his hand on his shoulder and gave him another piece of fudge to calm his nerves. Jason wrote a note to Eric to let him know what his daughter has seen after he have slapped MJ.
Eric was confused, he has heard of a Shadow Man before, but he couldn’t imagine being one of its victims, or else he would never have acted so violently. “I’m glad you told me about the evil shadow, and that you didn’t just break my neck just now... But what can I do to keep that being away?” Eric asked. Jason wrote another note while Eric nibbles on the maple fudge. “You just need to be where the light is... if you can’t, use a flashlight...” Jason wrote. Eric nodded as he understands. Jason wanted to take Eric back to his place to see MJ and Malon, but Eric didn’t want to go. “I’m sorry Jason... But after the way I’ve acted on her, I don’t want to see her face and let the memories fly back at me; even if what you told me was true... I just can’t bare to see MJ being hurt, and I don’t want to hurt your daughter either... So it’s best I just leave and not come back... I’m sorry.” Eric said before he turns around and started walking, then he started running. Jason shook his head while facing down, he understands that Eric was scared, but what will MJ and Malon think?
***
When Jason finally got back to his cabin, he sees Malon from the window waving excitedly, so she rushed out and leaped into her dad’s arms. “Hi daddy!” Malon greeted while giving her dad some kisses. Jason hugged her back and gave her a kiss by the forehead before walking her in. “Mommy has been sleeping on the couch with your mask in her grasp, she must’ve really missed you.” Malon explained. Jason leaned forward and noticed MJ sleeping peacefully with his mask against her chest. So he puts Malon down and gave her the bag with the fudge inside, Malon peeked in and saw some delicious fudge, so she went over to the kitchen and took only one fudge out, which is blueberry.
Jason walked over to MJ and kneeled down and gently removed the mask that MJ was holding. MJ woke up slowly and noticed Jason facing down on her. “You came back...” MJ said in a tired tone. Jason kissed MJ by the forehead before picking her up and sat down with her on his lap. “Did you bail Eric out, or did you decapitate someone to do so?” MJ asked with a smirk, Jason chuckled as he shook his head ‘no’ before telling her that he was bailed out legally. However, he also explained to her how he didn’t want to come back and visit her and Malon; only because he was too traumatized to even lay an eye on her. MJ looked down sadly and laid her head on Jason’s chest. “I guess that makes sense... If it were me that went through what Eric have been through... I wouldn’t want to see me either... I hope Malon will be alright with this sort of change.” MJ said. Jason nodded and hugged her tight but gently.
Malon was waiting over at the kitchen table for her parents to come and enjoy some fudge. “Jay... did you pick up some fudge?” MJ stared with a smirk. Jason blushed like an innocent child, but MJ knew that he was only wanting to treat his family with something sweet. MJ took a peek at the fudge, she’s not a fan of orange or blueberry, but since Jason bought them for her and Malon, she had to try to enjoy it without Jason knowing. At least there’s maple fudge which is one of her favorites, so she can easily enjoy that.
***
After the family had some fudge, Jason decided to take his family to the playground where MJ usually takes Malon to. MJ was surprised; Jason never wanted to be seen in public, either in disguise or not. Jason wanted to give the world a chance, only because he believed that some people have changed their behavior towards those who are different, like that old lady at the fudge store.
Malon was so excited, until she realized that her dad forgot his mask. “You forgot your hockey mask daddy.” Malon said as she was handing the mask to Jason. Jason smiled and kneeled down to take the mask and laid it aside and wrote a quick note for Malon. “Not this time princess.” Jason wrote and he gently rubs her head. MJ looked down at Jason smiling, seeing how much Jason has approved.
At the park, Malon rushed over to the slide with the other kids that she have knew while her parents sit over by the bench to watch. Jason noticed a few people starring, but they don’t give him the look of fear or disgust, not all of them, they just accepts him for the way he is. People have really changed since his time as a kid.
Suddenly, Jason saw a ball bouncing towards him, the little girl who is around four was rushing over to get it until she looked up at the large man. Jason smiled and picked up the ball and handing it to her. It took a few seconds before she took the ball, when she finally did, she smiled big and waved back at the man before she runs off to continue playing. “It’s been so long since you’ve smiled like that, you feel proud being here in public?” MJ asked. Jason faced MJ and nodded with a smile. Jason then noticed Malon rushing over to her dad. “Daddy, would you push me on the swing please?” Malon asked while holding his hand. Jason shrugged while smiling at his wife before he got up to take his daughter over to the swing set.
MJ loved watching Malon and Jason having fun together, she couldn’t help but cry for Jason by how well he is with the people around him, even some of the mothers at the park were awed by how Jason is with his daughter. MJ knew that her lover’s life is finally turning around.
