Over the edge

Jim Reaper had been sitting in either Vanessa or Dr. Starling's room for a very long time. His bones were beginning to weary and for a moment, Vanessa even managed to tell him to get some air. He must have looked terrible if she could take time out from her grief to notice. He decided to obey her advice.

As he exited the hospital he switched his cellphone back on, as it could no longer interfere with the life-saving equipment. Almost as soon as he had, he heard the voice Vanessa had mumbled about in her dreams, and it sent a chill up his spine so cold, it was like ice.

[You look terrible Agent Reaper. You should really see a Doctor. Or have you already?] She laughed at her sick twist of humour.

"Just get on with it you bitch, I'm not in the mood."

[Now, now! No need for insults. We had to think of something really good for you, not having any loved ones around.]

"That's right, I don't. Either say something or stop jamming up my 'phone."

[We found out about Barney.]

Jim's heart froze and his breath would not come.

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Jim was in his local grocery store. He needed a few things and although this was a poor neighbourhood, the store carried a surprisingly large amount of stuff crammed on the shelves. He turned a corner and bumped into a scene that made him angry and sad at the same time.

Three kids were surrounding a small boy. From his looks, it appeared he had Down's Syndrome. He was crying small tears, but refused to bow his head and stared straight into the insults of the others.

"You ain't got no mamma, at least she don't want you Dummy!"

"What's it like being so *stupid*?!"

Jim went over and grabbed the three boys by the scruff of the neck and dragged them to the middle of the shop.

"Do these ... items belong to anyone?"

"Yeah, me!" said a man who, unusually, was even taller than Jim and about 50 pounds heavier.

"Try teaching them not to pick on little kids!"

As he pushed them over towards the man, the young boy had come around the corner and stood by Jim's leg.

"Maybe if you and your son weren't a couple of retards, you wouldn't have any problems."

The fight scene which ensued was brief and to the point and once Jim had the larger man's head pinned to the counter, he showed him his FBI badge.

"If *any* kid in this neighbourhood so much as looks at him the wrong way, your miseries will be my mission in life. Are we clear?"

Although it was hard to nod in that position, the man managed it anyway.

The boy came up to Jim once the others had left.

"Thank you Sir. My name is Barney and I live at Ardale Community Care Centre."

Jim smiled at the boy. "Do you now? Well why don't you and I walk back there and you can tell me about it."

As they walked, it seemed that the kids knew some truth. Barney's mother had given him up after his father had 'gone away', unable to cope with the strains of bringing up a boy with special needs on her own. She had moved away to find work and sent money to look after Barney. She just wasn't capable of being with the boy, for whatever reasons - Jim didn't know. He was amazed by Barney's outlook on life. He was so optimistic and happy! He didn't mind the kids because he knew they just wanted to hurt him and they 'don't know better'. He knew his mamma loved him, but she could look after him and had to go away so he could have money and 'clothes and stuff'.

They reached Ardale and Jim went with Barney to the office of the Warden. She was a lovely woman and explained pretty much what Barney had already told him. She had been shocked when he showed her his badge, but once she realised it was a personal matter, she was pleased Barney had a new friend.

Shortly after, Jim enrolled as Barney's 'Special Friend' and took him out often when not away on a case. He even found out that at 'What does your Daddy do?' at school, Barney had told them about his 'Special Friend' Jim and that he helped people and caught bad men. They truly had a special friendship.

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"Who?"

[Nice try Agent Reaper. Imperfection is so repulsive, don't you think?]

"I don't know. Look in the mirror and find out!"

[Please, don't try to be funny. Perhaps you'd like to know where Barney is?]

"Yes." What else could he say now?

[He is on top of the old Espana apartments. It's a long drop from there you know.]

Jim was already in his car and driving and put his cellphone on speaker.

[He seems to be a little scared. Keeps asking for 'Daddy Jim'. Isn't that sweet?]

If there was any doubt they had him, it was dispelled in that sentence. Only Barney knew of that name, not even the Ardale staff knew. He had no idea what he was going to do when he got there, but he had to get to that building.

He duly arrived and after noticing the plateless car parked nearby, saw a man at the top of the building with Barney at the edge. Jim still had the cellphone in his hand.

[Say 'Goodbye' to Barney Agent Reaper.]

While Jim ran towards the building he watched Barney fall and listened to him scream. He was running with blood pounding in his ears, knowing he could do nothing to stop it, yet needing to try.

The boy was floundering in the pool, arms waving with the shock of the cold.

[Aaaaaargh!] He heard the scream over the 'phone.

"Not part of your plan bitch?" he shouted into the 'phone before throwing it down and jumping in to the pool. He pulled Barney out and made sure he was OK. He held him tight, listening to the boy tell him the tale of his kidnapping. Already he felt it had been some kind of scary adventure.

Once they were both over the shock a little and the plateless car had taken off, Jim retrieved his 'phone. Barney couldn't go back to Ardale. He would have to be put into protective custody. Jim 'phoned head office and arranged for a friend to take him and keep him safe. The Ardale had been very worried after Barney had gone and Barney's favourite carer Janine had agreed to go with Barney and look after him.

Jim turned to tell Barney about it but he already knew. "I'll be OK, Daddy Jim! I like going to new places."

Jim started to cry as he hugged the boy tighter and waited for his friend to come.