A Scripta

“Duncan.”

Idaho looked up at Darcy, who stood in the doorway of the bedroom.

“How’s it going?”

Idaho put down the crossword puzzle he was doing. Darcy smiled. Idaho followed Darcy’s gaze: “What, he did those?”

“No,” Darcy said. “He never did.” Darcy sat down on the edge of the bed. “Listen, Duncan. I’ve been thinking.” He picked up the scrapbook of Masonry’s exploits for the year that he had been a hero. “I’ve been unfair to you.”

“What do you mean?”

“From the moment you came out of that tank, I compared you to Nate. I wanted you to be him.” He held the scrapbook to his chest. “I’m so sorry.”

“But that’s all right.”

Darcy, with tears in his eyes, looked at him and smiled. “It’s not. You’re not a copy. You’re his twin.” He rapped Duncan’s head gently with his knuckles. “Get that through your thick skull, please.” He got up, holding the scrapbook close. “I’m going to be going back to Texas. I’m going to start up a Foundation there in Nate’s name, a foundation that’s going to start training social workers and teachers nationwide to help kids against bullies, teach bystanders stop helping bullies, and help kids who’ve been hurt by bullies, so hopefully Nate doesn’t appear again.” He peered at Duncan. “I’m going to need your help.”

Duncan jumped up. “Sure, whatever you need.”

He tapped the scrapbook. “Don’t bother them anymore.”

Idaho focused on the scrapbook, then nodded.

“I’m moving out after the first of the month. I’ve paid up until January. The landlord won’t mind you staying, or if you bring on a new roomie. I know that the base has a bedroom. I suppose you can stay there, I don’t think they’ll mind.”

“Y…you’re leaving?”

Darcy clutched the scrapbook closer. “Duncan, I have to. You have to be Duncan Idaho – or any other name you want. You can’t do it with me around.”

Idaho looked around, slightly scared.

“What about that Pill you told me about? She can help you out.”

“I could stay with her…” he mused. “Or she could at least help me figure out what to do—“

“Oh, for crying out loud,” Darcy said, exasperated. “We’ve gone grocery shopping before and things like that. I’ll help you with that before we leave, and the landlord’s a really nice guy. You’re not stupid, just young. And Karen could help you, too. There’s a line of ladies who’d help you with all kinds of domestic chores.” He grinned.

Idaho blushed. “I know, I know.”

Darcy sat down on the bed and said with a smile, “Nate told me about all his girls…”