Evelyn sat on a large rug in the middle of Angelo’s living room, completely engrossed in her toy. The room was warm and inviting, with two empty recliners positioned at one end of the rug, separated by a small table. To the left of the recliners, Maxine and Maggie were nestled together on a loveseat, their heads bent close as they talked in low voices. To the right, a large couch stretched across the space, where Elle sat with Avery, guiding him through some algebra problems. The dormant fireplace at the far end of the rug added a sense of quiet intimacy to the room.
The sound of footsteps drew everyone's attention as Angelo, Stefon, Steven, Buck, and Garan entered the room, followed closely by Katherine. Without a word, Buck and Steven took the recliners, Stefon standing beside Steven like a silent guardian. Garan made his way over to the couch, sitting down next to Avery, while Katherine chose a dark corner to stand in, her eyes sharp and watchful.
Angelo moved to the fireplace, his presence commanding the attention of everyone in the room. He paused for a moment, letting the anticipation build, before he finally spoke.
“I have some news,” Angelo began, his voice calm yet laced with intrigue. “I had a wonderful time with Evelyn, and I believe she is a very gifted young girl.”
Maxine leaned forward, curiosity aroused. “What can she do?”
Angelo hesitated, his expression thoughtful. “To be honest, I still don’t really know. She didn’t seem interested in the usual tests, but we had a very interesting conversation.”
Garan, puzzled, tilted his head. “Evelyn has a large vocabulary for a four-year-old.”
Angelo shook his head slowly, as if the words he was about to say were still baffling even to him. “No, I wasn’t talking to Evelyn—at least not this Evelyn. I spoke to an adult version of Evelyn that is yet to be.”
Buck, ever the skeptic, frowned. “So, you saw the future?”
Angelo’s gaze grew distant as he recalled the experience. “No, this was no vision. I had a legitimate conversation with the adult Evelyn. It was as if she was occupying the young Evelyn’s body.”
Garan’s confusion deepened. “I don’t understand.”
“Neither do I,” Angelo admitted. “I was asking Evelyn if she wanted to play the usual games, and out of nowhere, her whole personality changed. I was suddenly having a conversation with an adult woman. She told me not to worry and that I wasn’t ready to hear the truth. I felt like I was the child and she was the great master.”
As Angelo’s words sank in, everyone turned their attention to Evelyn. The little girl seemed completely oblivious to the world around her, her focus entirely on her toy. Avery, with a glint in his eye, attempted to make Evelyn’s toy hover with a flicker of his power. But before he could lift it even an inch, Evelyn turned and fixed him with a scowl, and Avery immediately dropped his efforts, a chastened look on his face.
***
The dining room was filled with the warm glow of a chandelier, casting a soft light over the eleven members of the household as they sat around the table, finishing their evening meal. The clinking of silverware and random conversations filled the air, but every so often, Steven winced and clutched his left shoulder, the pain a reminder of the earlier events.
Angelo, seated at the head of the table, placed his napkin down with a deliberate motion, a slight frown creasing his brow. He pushed his chair back and rose to his feet, clearing his throat to capture everyone’s attention.
“It has been wonderful to see Maxine and Daniel again,” Angelo began, his voice filled with warmth. “And it has been a true blessing to get to know Garan and Evelyn. I’m sure I speak for everyone here.”
He paused, his eyes sweeping across the table, taking in the smiles and nods of agreement from those seated before him. Elle, her face alight with affection, raised her glass.
“To rekindling old friendships and creating new ones,” she toasted.
Everyone raised their glasses in unison and drank, savoring the moment.
Angelo’s expression grew more serious as he continued. “Unfortunately, I have some concerning news. It has become clear to me that the laboratory has decided to recapture Katherine. Eventually, they will discover her location. We must begin preparations to defend the house.”
Elle’s gaze sharpened. “How long do we have?”
“A few weeks, perhaps,” Angelo replied, his tone measured but firm.
Maggie, always ready to take charge, leaned forward. “That should be plenty of time. We have the proper procedures in place. We just need to train everyone. I can take the lead on that.”
Angelo nodded, gratitude in his eyes. “Thank you, Maggie. We will be fine as long as we are prepared.”
At that moment, Katherine, who had remained silent throughout the meal, stood up. “No.”
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The suddenness of her voice startled everyone, and they all turned their attention to her.
“I cannot let you do that,” Katherine said, her voice steady but filled with emotion.
“Katherine,” Angelo began gently, “you are a part of this family. We must stick together to protect each other.”
Katherine shook her head, her expression resolute. “No. I could not bear it if my presence was the cause of any pain coming to any of you.”
Steven, still rubbing his shoulder, looked up as Katherine continued.
“You are correct. You have become a family to me, but I must face my own problems before they reach this house. I will take the fight to them, to the lab.”
Angelo’s gaze softened as he looked at her. “Are you sure?”
Katherine’s eyes glistened with determination. “I thank you all for reassuring me that humanity still has a chance to be decent. I will repay this debt by keeping you out of harm’s way. I will depart tomorrow.”
A heavy silence fell over the room, each person absorbing the weight of her words. Angelo turned his eyes to Steven, as if waiting for him to say something. Steven exhaled audibly, then pushed his chair back and stood.
“I’m going with you,” Steven declared, a look of determination on his face. “It will be a refreshing change to battle with you instead of against you.”
He looked at Katherine, his smile growing, and Stefon, inspired by his brother, stood as well and nodded his agreement.
“Eh, we go scrap, yeah?” Stefon said, his voice carrying a note of excitement.
Angelo’s heart swelled with pride. “Thank you, boys. I’m proud of you two.”
Buck, who had been quietly contemplating the situation, pushed his chair back and rose to his feet. “I’m in.”
Angelo turned to Buck, a warm smile spreading across his face.
Buck looked at him and then at Evelyn, who was tugging on Garan’s shirt sleeve, her eyes wide with determination.
“We should go with Uncle Danny,” Evelyn said, her voice small but insistent.
Garan’s expression tightened. “No, Evelyn, we can’t go.”
Buck glanced at them, his brow furrowing with concern. “Yeah, no way. This is too dangerous for kids.”
Angelo shifted his focus from Buck to Garan, his eyes thoughtful. “Daniel, Garan, a penny saved is a penny well spent, but a penny found should stay on the ground. I can’t see her path, but I trust Evelyn. If she wants to go, I think you should let her.”
Buck looked at Angelo, searching his face for a moment, then turned to Evelyn, who gazed back at him with unwavering confidence.
“I will protect you, Uncle Danny,” Evelyn promised, her voice filled with an innocence that was both comforting and unsettling.
Buck couldn’t help but smile at her, then he turned to Garan, who merely shrugged in resignation.
“Ok,” Buck conceded, “but one condition. Maxine comes along to help take care of Evelyn.”
Maxine’s eyes widened in shock. She rolled her eyes dramatically and sighed. “Fine. I’ll do it, but only because I feel sorry for Katherine having to put up with you two,” she said, pointing accusingly at Buck and Steven.
Evelyn, however, was less than pleased, letting out a small grunt of displeasure.
***
The morning sun cast a golden hue over Angelo’s front yard as Katherine, Steven, Stefon, Buck, Maxine, Garan, and Evelyn prepared for their departure. They moved with purpose, loading up Buck’s car and the old farm truck that had been Angelo’s for years. The quiet stillness of the morning was interrupted only by the sounds of luggage being stowed and the rustle of leaves in the gentle breeze. Angelo, Elle, Maggie, and Avery stood just outside the door, watching the scene unfold, ready to say their goodbyes.
Buck hefted one last bag into the trunk, closing it with a firm click. The seven travelers walked back toward the house, their expressions a mix of determination and lingering hesitation. One by one, they exchanged hugs and handshakes, the weight of what lay ahead pressing on each of them.
Maggie held Maxine in a tight embrace, her voice barely above a whisper. “I’m really going to miss you, Maxine. Make sure those two idiots don’t get everyone killed.”
Maxine smiled, though her eyes betrayed a touch of sadness. “I’ll miss you too, Maggie. I’ll do my best.”
They hugged again, neither willing to let go too soon, knowing it might be a long time before they saw each other again.
Elle, with a warm smile, approached Buck and pulled him into a strong hug. “Come back,” she said, her voice filled with both hope and worry.
Buck wrapped his arms around her, his voice steady and reassuring. “I will. I promise.”
Evelyn, with her small but determined steps, walked up to Avery and handed him her cherished toy. “Grandfather, I need you to take care of this while I’m gone. We can play with it when I get back.”
Avery knelt down, his eyes softening as he accepted the toy. He wrapped Evelyn in a gentle hug. “Yes, we can,” he agreed, his voice laced with emotion.
Angelo, watching the exchange, stepped forward. “Good luck, everyone. May the road miss your chin when it rises up to meet you.”
With a final look, Angelo, Elle, Maggie, and Avery turned and walked back into the house, the door closing behind them with a quiet click. Maggie, unable to suppress her worry, turned to Angelo as they entered the front room. “Are they going to be okay, Dad?”
Angelo paused, his thoughts heavy. “There are too many decisions yet to be made, and Evelyn being with them clouds it up a bit. But her presence is what gives me confidence they will succeed.”
Outside, the group walked back toward the vehicles. They gathered around to hear Steven’s plan.
“Katherine, Stefon, and I will lead in the truck under Katherine’s navigation,” Steven began, his voice clear and authoritative. “The rest will follow in Buck’s car. It should take about a day to get there. This place is a secret lab, so it’s isolated in the middle of nowhere. We’ll stop to camp later tonight and discuss the rest of the plan then.”
“Sounds good,” Buck replied, nodding his agreement. “Let’s do it.”
With that, they all climbed into their respective vehicles. Engines roared to life, and soon, the two cars were rumbling down the driveway, disappearing into the distance.
***
Back in the house, Angelo settled into his favorite chair, a book in hand. The room was quiet, save for the soft rustle of Elle and Maggie sharing a snack nearby. The tranquility was abruptly interrupted by a knock at the front door. Elle and Maggie exchanged a glance before turning to their father, who had paused reading mid-sentence, a look of confusion crossing his face.
“Who’s here, Dad?” Maggie asked, her brow scrunched.
Angelo slowly put down his book, his thoughts racing. “I have no idea.”
Another knock echoed through the house, this one more insistent. Elle, her curiosity sparked, rose from her seat and with apprehension in her steps, walked cautiously to the door. She hesitated for a moment before opening it halfway.
Standing just outside were five men, their black uniforms stark against the bright daylight. Each uniform bore a golden letter ‘H’ on the right shoulder. The man at the front, clearly the captain, offered a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes.
“Sorry to bother you,” the captain said politely, though his tone carried an undercurrent of authority. “We’re here to see a man named Angelo.”