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He should be happy. He has finally been acquitted of the crime he never committed in the first place. The phantom has been arrested for all of the murders he has committed. He is a free man now.
But he isn’t happy. More than anything, Simon is angry. Devastated and angry.
Because now he knows that Bobby Fulbright is dead. A year ago, the phantom murdered him and had impersonated him ever since. And Simon hadn’t noticed.
Of course, he knew something was different. He had known Fool Bright for three whole years, and that was the real Bobby he knew. Even though he was a police officer and Simon a prisoner, they fell in love and started a relationship. And then, approximately a year ago, something changed. Bobby still looked like himself and acted like himself, but there was just something weird that Simon couldn’t put his finger on. Bobby even kissed him less, as though he wasn’t in love anymore.
Now, obviously, he knows the truth. That wasn’t Fool Bright; it was the phantom. The man who murdered Bobby.
And all of these things swirl around Simon’s face as he gets his shackles removed, everyone congratulating him and telling him they’re so sorry for what he has been through. But Simon barely listens, not even bothering to smile.
Yes, he may he free now. But his Fool Bright is dead, and Simon never even got to say goodbye. He… he just wishes he had Bobby.
“Simon, aren’t you happy?” Athena says, wandering over.
Simon stares at her. “I suppose so. Well, I’m happy that I won’t be executed. On the other hand, I am not happy to learn…”
He trails off, but Athena understands. He doesn’t pull away when she wraps her arms around him and hugs him.