The night was dark, with only the faint glow of the moon to illuminate the dirt road. Buck's hands gripped the steering wheel as he followed closely behind the truck ahead. The tires crunched softly over the gravel, the car’s headlights casting long shadows on the trees lining the path. Inside the car, all was quiet. Maxine and Evelyn were fast asleep in the back seat, their breathing shallow, but even.
Garan sat in the front passenger seat, fiddling with the radio dial in a futile attempt to find something, anything, to break the silence. Static crackled from the speakers, but no music or voices emerged. After a few more attempts, Garan sighed and switched off the radio.
"We're probably too far from civilization to pick up anything," Buck remarked, his voice low and steady, as though mindful not to disturb the peace in the back seat.
For a while, they drove in silence, the only sounds coming from the road beneath them and the soothing hum of the engine. Eventually, Garan turned to Buck, curiosity evident in his gaze.
"How do you do it, Buck?" he asked, his voice cutting through the quiet.
Buck glanced over at him, puzzled. "What do you mean?"
Garan hesitated before continuing, choosing his words carefully. "Why are you so willing to sacrifice for other people? I mean, you volunteered to help Katherine, and you just met her two days ago. You saved me before you even knew my name."
Buck kept his eyes on the road, considering Garan's question. "Aren't you doing the same thing?" he finally asked.
"Yeah, I guess I am," Garan admitted, leaning back in his seat. "So, why do we do it?"
Buck sighed, his gaze steady as he looked ahead. "I was a bodyguard. I trained myself to think of others first. It was my job to put myself in harm's way to protect my boss. Now, I need to make up for all the bad stuff I did. I was one of the bad guys for a long time."
Garan turned to him, questioningly. "That's a little hard to believe."
"Yeah," Buck agreed, remorse lingering in his voice. "I have trouble believing it too."
Buck glanced in the rearview mirror, catching a glimpse of Maxine. She was asleep, her head tilted back slightly, mouth open, lost in a peaceful slumber.
"She doesn’t know it, but she’s the reason I gave it up," Buck said, his voice softer now, almost introspective. "When she left Angelo’s, I got a job at one of the clubs she was singing at to keep an eye on her."
Garan turned to look at Maxine and noticed Evelyn snuggled up next to her, her head resting comfortably in Maxine’s lap. The scene brought a smile to his face.
"She must have really appreciated that," Garan said, his voice soft and low.
Buck chuckled, though there was a touch of melancholy in the sound. "Nah, she was pretty upset about it. She was still mad at me for leaving Angelo's. I guess she still is, but that’s okay. I’m one of the only people that knows the real her. Everyone else is just a fool attracted by her charm. I stick around to let her have one genuine relationship, even if that relationship is a crappy older brother that pisses her off."
Garan’s gaze lingered on the pair in the back seat. Maxine’s eyes fluttered open for a brief moment, just long enough for her to gently rub Evelyn’s head before drifting back to sleep. A smile spread across Garan's face as he watched them, a quiet contentment settling in.
***
The night air was cool, the warmth of the campfire providing a comforting contrast as it crackled in the center of the clearing. Tall trees surrounded them, their shadows stretching out like dark sentinels under the glow of the moon. Buck’s car and the old farm truck were parked off to one side, barely visible in the dim light.
Maxine and Stefon worked together, setting up a small tent with the ease of those who had done it many times before. Maxine, grinning with satisfaction, slapped Stefon’s large hand in a high five. Their laughter mingled with the distant calls of night creatures as they headed toward the fire, where the rest of the group was gathering.
Katherine sat on a log near the fire, her eyes reflecting the flickering flames as she stared into the distance. Evelyn was beside her, curled up close, her small form leaning against Katherine’s side. The child’s wide eyes were fixed on the fire, mesmerized by the way the flames danced and leaped.
Steven and Buck stood a little way off, speaking quietly, their voices just a waft in the night air. Garan emerged from the trees, a flashlight in one hand and a decent-sized tree branch in the other. He walked over to the fire and placed the wood carefully on the flames, his movements deliberate and measured. Afterward, he settled himself on the ground, a little distance from Katherine and Evelyn, letting the warmth of the fire seep into his bones. Stefon and Maxine joined him, finding spots on the grass, and the firelight painted warm hues on their faces.
With everyone assembled, Steven and Buck joined the circle around the fire. Buck’s gaze softened as he looked at the group, his voice steady and reassuring when he spoke.
“We’re about five miles from the lab,” Steven said, his tone calm but firm. “To keep the element of surprise, we’ll continue on foot tomorrow. Rest up tonight.”
“Katherine expects light security patrols,” Buck added. “Steven, Stefon, Katherine, and I will be the assault team. Max, Garan, and Evelyn will handle surveillance. Find a good vantage point and keep us updated. Any questions?”
Evelyn, looking sleepy but content, tugged at Buck’s sleeve. “Can I sleep with you, Uncle Danny?”
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Buck’s stern features softened into a fond smile. “Of course, punky. Grab your blanket and we’ll sleep in the car. You can have the back seat all to yourself.”
With a delighted nod, Evelyn jumped up and ran off to find her blanket. Steven, looking slightly amused, called out, “I call the truck,” before making his way to the vehicle. He opened the door, climbed in, and settled into the seat with a contented sigh.
Stefon stretched out, grabbed a sleeping bag, and found a comfortable spot on the grass, just the right distance from the fire. Maxine, with a playful smirk, reached into a bag she’d brought along and pulled out a bag of marshmallows. Catching Garan’s curious glance, she raised an eyebrow.
“You’ve never had a roasted marshmallow? What are you doing with your life?” she teased.
Garan watched as Maxine expertly found a small stick and skewered a marshmallow on the end. She held it over the fire, watching intently as the sugary treat turned a perfect golden brown before it caught fire. With a practiced puff, she blew out the flames and popped the marshmallow into her mouth, savoring the taste.
She repeated the process, this time holding out the roasted marshmallow to Garan. He hesitated for a moment, then took it from her, the warmth of the marshmallow radiating through his fingers. As he bit into it, his eyes widened in surprise and delight.
“Wow,” Garan said, his mouth still full. “This is amazing! Thank you.”
Maxine smiled, her eyes twinkling in the firelight. “I know. You’re welcome.”
As she prepared another marshmallow, her expression turned thoughtful. “So, what’s the future like? Are flying cars a thing yet?”
Garan chuckled, shaking his head. “No, we still have regular cars. The technology hasn’t changed much. It’s society that’s advanced. There’s no homelessness, no trash in the streets, no crime.”
Maxine raised an eyebrow, looking mildly skeptical. “That sounds kinda boring. Do you miss it?”
A shadow passed over Garan’s face, his smile fading slightly. “I miss my friends and family, especially my mom. It must have been hard for her when I didn’t come home.”
Maxine’s teasing demeanor softened as she reached out and lightly touched his arm. “Well, if that’s the future, then that hasn’t happened yet, right?”
She gave him a wink, and Garan couldn’t help but smile back, a warm flush touching his cheeks. Maxine tilted her head slightly, her curiosity kindled. “What’s she like?”
“My mom?” Garan’s voice grew softer, his tone distant as memories surfaced. “She was amazing. My dad died when I was young, and she stepped up. She was everything I needed.”
Garan’s eyes were fixed on the fire, lost in thoughts of his mother. Maxine watched him quietly, empathizing, understanding. The crackling fire provided a soothing backdrop to their conversation, its warmth wrapping around them like a comforting embrace.
Garan continued reminiscing. “She was a great dancer. She taught me how to dance.”
Maxine’s expression softened with a touch of teasing affection. “Oh, that’s sweet. I bet you’re a wonderful, awkward little dancer.”
Garan looked over at her and tilted his head slightly forward. “No, I mean real dancing.”
Maxine raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “Really? What kind of dancing?”
“Waltz, Tango, Samba, the typical stuff,” he replied with a casual shrug.
“Samba?” Maxine echoed, obviously impressed.
Garan glanced at her, a hint of challenge in his eyes. “I could show you sometime.”
“You’re on, mister,” Maxine grinned, pulling a freshly roasted marshmallow away from the fire and popping it into her mouth. She skewered another one, watching it turn golden over the flames.
As she prepared the next marshmallow, Garan spoke up, his tone more thoughtful. “You know, everyone else seems to like you. I guess you’re not so bad.”
“Not so bad? Again?” Maxine paused, a fleeting look of regret crossing her face. “Sorry for trying to charm you when we met. I was just trying to help Dan. I guess you’re immune, though.”
Garan shrugged, his gaze fixed on the fire. “Well, we can thank Avery for that. I’m just a regular guy.”
Maxine’s eyes glistened, the flicker of the flames dancing in her irises. “I don’t know anything about that. Everyone thinks you’re great.”
Garan’s expression grew more pensive. “I don’t know, it feels like I have no control over anything that happens in my life.”
Maxine met his gaze, her tone firm but gentle. “So take control.”
For a moment, Garan was silent, his thoughts lost in the crackling warmth of the fire. Then, as if something clicked within him, he looked back at Maxine. She held his gaze, a playful glint in her eyes as she bit her bottom lip, a small, almost unconscious gesture. His focus shifted to her lips, and before he knew it, he found himself leaning in, his eyes fluttering shut as he tilted his head.
But instead of the soft touch of her lips, he felt something warm and sticky against his mouth. Surprised, Garan opened his eyes to find Maxine grinning impishly, pressing a browned marshmallow to his lips. She winked at him, her smile wide and teasing, before standing up and sauntering away, leaving him to eat the marshmallow with a mix of surprise and amusement.
Maxine made her way around the fire and sat down next to Katherine, who had been quietly observing the interaction.
“You can’t charm a cat,” Katherine remarked, her tone dry.
Maxine chuckled, shaking her head. “Don’t worry, I’m not here to charm you, but it does seem like everyone is immune to my abilities now.”
Katherine’s gaze remained steady, her eyes narrowing slightly as she studied Maxine. “In that case, I can’t help you with your boyfriend problems.”
Maxine’s eyes widened in surprise. “What? No. He’s not my boyfriend.”
Katherine’s scrutinizing gaze lingered on Maxine, her expression unreadable. “Your pheromone output would disagree.”
Maxine huffed, clearly flustered. “No, I just wanted to ask if you could help me learn to fight.”
Katherine raised an eyebrow, the faintest hint of curiosity breaking through her usual stoic demeanor. “Can’t you ask your brother or one of the others?”
“No,” Maxine replied, her voice steady but sincere. “They all have abilities that help them fight. You’re just a badass. I thought maybe you could show me some things. Plus, if we fight other hybrids like you, my charm will be useless.”
Katherine considered this for a moment, then nodded. “Good point. You probably are a liability. It would be best if you could at least defend yourself.”
Maxine smirked, shaking her head at Katherine’s bluntness. “I’m not sure that’s how I would have said that, but okay.”
“I’ll wake you when the sun rises,” Katherine said, her tone matter-of-fact. “We can spar before the others are up.”
“Thanks, Katherine. See you in the morning.” Maxine gave her a grateful smile before heading to the tent. She slipped inside, zipping the door closed behind her.
Garan remained by the fire, his thoughts swirling as he stared into the flames. He absentmindedly reached for another marshmallow, roasting it until it was perfectly golden before popping it into his mouth.