Le Lapin: The Broken Quiet

    “How do you do it?”

    It was a quiet night. Cities, of course, were never truly quiet, but for the Saturday night of

a long weekend, when chaos was always expected, the peace was strange. In the distance, the

low buzz of the highway traffic could be heard. A dog barked down an alleyway, and a squeal of

tires reverberated through downtown, but it was still quiet. The thick humidity had almost worn

off, inviting the cool chill to wash over anyone left in the streets. Throughout the city, more

lights shut off and one by one, the entire population was asleep.

    In that quiet, when Jacob was leaning against a building, the question was posed. Jacob

Hare didn't expect it. After all, the cops usually avoided him, or outright ignored him when

possible. So when a stout man proudly wearing his uniform leaned against the building beside

him, it was unexpected.

    “Huh?” Jacob murmured as he stared straight ahead. ‘He must be talking to someone

else,’ he thought.

    “How do you do it?” The policeman repeated, “How do you work so hard for nothing?

No money, no praise.”

    Another pause. Jacob just wished the man would leave him alone. Jacob was the

superhero for the city of Toronto. In a world where all the biggest superheroes gathered in Los

Angeles and New York, showing off their expensive technology and dangerous feats, Jacob felt

inferior. Of course, being a superhero was a big deal, and being Toronto’s superhero was a big

deal, but he wasn’t fond of attention, so Jacob would help the police save the day, then disappear,

without receiving a single reward. That was the way he liked it. Jacob, grudgingly, gave the cop

a reply.

    “Cuz,” he paused. “What else would I do?”

    “I don't know, sports?”

    “Banned.” Jacob’s superpower, of sorts, was his ability to jump extremely high, and

move with agility through the city. This caused him to be banned from any sports, or track team,

as he would have an unfair advantage against anyone else. Parkour fanatics were jealous of him,

as he easily jumped, swung, and ran through the city.

    “You need an actual job! The fire station, or even the police would hire you in a jiffy!”

    The policeman proudly tapped the badge that was plastered onto his uniform.

    “They wouldn't. They don't hire freaks.” His sister, Molly, had decided to design his suit

after a jack rabbit. It was a dark blue and silver to blend into the cityscape, and a sleek rabbit

shaped mask fitted his head. At first, Jacob thought that the entire concept was dumb. ‘I’ll just

throw on a dark hoodie, then I’m good.’ He had told her. Molly shook her head. ‘You don’t want

to dress like the crooks they’re catching. You have to stand out. Plus, I already thought of your

name, Le Lapin.’ Jacob simply shrugged, though he secretly appreciated the work Molly had

done.

    “You're not!” The policeman's voice rose in pitch, as an idea formed in his mind. “Well,

you sorta are a freak, but I mean… I could vouch for you!”

    “I do it for myself and for the city. That is all I need. Ever!” With that, Jacob jumped up

onto a nearby fire escape, then jumped again onto the roof of a building. He quickly disappeared

into the night, and back into the quiet.