Walking through the pediatric wing, Andrew noticed a boy tossing a ball with a nurse. The boy’s laughter filled the hallway, but the ball rolled toward Andrew’s feet.

“Excuse me, sir! Can you throw it back?” the boy asked cheerfully.

Andrew picked up the ball with a scowl and threw it hard, far down the hall, then walked away without a word.

“That was mean, mister!” the boy shouted after him.

Days passed. The hospital felt suffocating. Andrew tried working from his laptop, but the chemotherapy left him drained, nauseous, and irritable.

One afternoon, as he sat slumped in his chair, a familiar small voice startled him. “Hi!”

It was the boy from the corridor. Andrew flinched, his irritation flaring. “What do you want, kid?”

“I’m bored,” the boy replied. “Nobody here wants to play.”

Andrew sighed. “What’s your name?”

“Tommy!” the boy chirped.

“Well, Tommy, I’m busy. Go find someone else.”

Tommy didn’t budge. Instead, he pulled out a peppermint candy and handed it to Andrew. “This helps with nausea. You should try it.”

Andrew hesitated before snatching the candy and setting it aside.

“You’re grumpy!” Tommy laughed. “I’ll call you Mr. Grouch.”

Andrew groaned. “What do you want?”

Tommy’s grin widened. “I want to buy flowers for my mom. But I don’t have any money.”

Andrew reached for his wallet and handed over some bills. “Here. Now go.”

Tommy’s face lit up. “Thanks, Mr. Grouch!” He darted away.

Later, a nurse delivered a small bag to Andrew. “Tommy sent this,” she said.

Inside were peppermint candies. Andrew couldn’t help but smile faintly.

Over time, Tommy became a regular visitor. Despite his initial resistance, Andrew found himself looking forward to the boy’s energy and positivity. Together, they watched sunsets, played pranks on nurses, and even raced wheelchairs.

Tommy never spoke about his illness, but one day, he mentioned his mom’s struggles. Andrew discreetly gave him an envelope of cash. “Tell her it’s from a magician,” he said.

When the doctor announced Andrew was cancer-free, he rushed to share the news with Tommy—only to find the boy unconscious, his mother sobbing at his bedside.

“He wanted to be strong for you,” she said through tears.

That night, Tommy passed away peacefully.

Grieving yet inspired, Andrew founded an organization in Tommy’s memory to support sick children. He also stayed close to Tommy’s mom, helping her rebuild.

One day, Andrew delivered the painting his ex-wife demanded. She looked at him, puzzled.

“I’m keeping my superpowers,” he said, smiling faintly, then walked away, leaving her stunned.