It was a boy who stopped Lorien in his tracks and called out to him.
The boy wore a plain jacket, peering inside restlessly, his eyes filled with obvious longing.
"I'm not hiring anyone here. And even if I were, I wouldn't let a child work."
Lorien's voice was gentle as he quickly turned him down.
"Then could you help me, sir?"
The boy didn't think it strange to ask a stranger for help. His voice carried a hint of panic as he explained, "I don't know where I am. I went to the police, but they turned me away. They even told me to get my head checked."
Not knowing what else to do, he had wandered into this psychology clinic.
"My name is Billy Batson—107. If you take me home, my family will pay you."
Billy Batson?
That name rang familiar. Wasn't he the one chosen by the ancient wizard Shazam?
"Come in."
Lorien's tone was calm.
Billy's face lit up.
To him, it sounded like the deal was set.
His voice grew lighter, almost relieved. "Don't worry, you'll get your money."
Though truthfully, he had no idea how much his family would actually give. He'd just have to beg his parents to scrape something together.
"My biggest problem right now is not knowing where I am. I was just out on my day off, playing around, and then—suddenly—I ended up here."
"Really just out playing? You didn't go anywhere else?"
Lorien asked evenly, without the slightest impatience, as if it were an ordinary question.
Billy's eyes flicked nervously from side to side.
Seeing this, amusement deepened in Lorien's gaze.
The kid clearly wasn't being honest. He was hiding something important.
Maybe he'd already met the ancient wizard Shazam, and that was why he'd been brought here.
Lorien could only guess—drawing on what he knew of the story. How much truth there was to it, he couldn't say.
"There are things I can't explain. If I told you, you'd think I was crazy. I came here on purpose, but I don't want anyone thinking that about me."
Billy spoke earnestly.
Lorien didn't argue. He simply nodded. "Then just focus on working here."
He had no intention of helping Billy find his family.
After talking a bit more, Billy realized it too—Lorien wasn't going to help him.
But he could understand.
Why would a stranger go out of his way to help him?
Even the police hadn't been able to do anything.
"Then how about this: I'll work hard, you pay me, and I'll save up to find my own way home."
Lorien regarded him quietly.
He arranged lodging for the boy nearby and explained the work schedule. "Stay here and work for one month. After that, I'll give you enough money to return home."
Lorien smiled as he spoke.
In Gotham, having a kid work for you wasn't illegal.
Far worse things happened here every day.
From the beginning, Billy had sensed there was something off about this place, but reality kept hitting him harder each time.
"Don't tell me everyone in this city is rotten..."
After all he'd seen since arriving in Gotham, Billy couldn't help but think it.
As the thought crossed his mind, his eyes drifted toward Lorien, who sat lazily reading a book. A flicker of envy flashed across his face.
So adults could work like this—relaxed, with time to read. Not like his dad, always leaving early and coming home late, exhausted every day.
"When I grow up, I want a job this easy."
Billy muttered under his breath, so quietly it was barely audible. But Lorien still caught it.
He only shifted his eyes slightly, the corner of his mouth curving faintly, before turning another page.
...
Billy was naturally restless, always full of energy. But the fact that he'd been chosen said something—his nature wasn't bad. In fact, he was exceptional.
Lorien could see that clearly.
He paid close attention to the boy's behavior.
Billy, for instance, was so worried about being late that he always arrived half an hour early. And if he didn't fully understand an instruction, he never pretended. He'd ask again and again until he got it right.
Lorien thought that was a good quality. At least during the time he'd worked here, Billy had never caused him trouble.
"There's a new cake shop on East Street. Go buy three slices—keep one for yourself."
Kids liked cake, and Lorien figured letting him have a piece was fine.
"Can I trade my slice for cash instead?"
Since arriving in Gotham, Billy had realized one thing: without money, you couldn't survive here.
And he'd realized something else.
The prices in the shops were outrageous.
So high it felt like every place was a scam.
Even the fruits and vegetables were absurdly expensive.
It frustrated him to no end.
How could people charge so much? Wasn't this just cheating customers?
So, after work, Billy found himself a new routine.
He would shout "Shazam!" Lightning would strike, and he'd transform into a tall, muscular man.
It made playing the hero much easier.
And his Shazam form stirred up no small amount of chaos in Gotham.
"This kid really does know how to cause me trouble."
When Lorien realized what Billy had been up to, he sighed, muttering lazily. But truthfully, he didn't take it to heart.
Even if Billy's secret got out, no one would dare come looking for trouble at this clinic.