The front room of Angelo’s house was dimly lit, a medium-sized library that exuded the quiet charm of a place well-loved and well-used. The air carried the scent of old books and polished wood, shelves filled to the brim with volumes of all shapes and sizes lining the walls. A large, inviting couch, worn just enough to suggest countless hours of comfort, took center stage, flanked by two overstuffed armchairs. They surrounded a mahogany coffee table, its surface scratched and scuffed from years of use. Between the chairs stood a small end table, supporting an intricately designed lamp that cast a warm, golden glow across the room. The light softened the shadows that clung to the corners, adding a sense of intimacy to the space.
To the left, an archway led into a modest kitchen, its tiles glinting faintly in the ambient light. Another opening revealed a large dining room, dominated by a long, wooden table that seemed ready to host a gathering at any moment. A hallway extended from the library’s rear, its length obscured by shadows as it led toward a distant living room that lay hidden from view.
A knock echoed through the quiet room, breaking the stillness. From one of the armchairs, a woman rose gracefully, her movements fluid and effortless. Elle, striking at thirty-five, moved with a natural elegance that seemed to be part of her very being. Her height was impressive, accentuated by her lithe, athletic build. Long blonde hair framed a face of both beauty and a hint of weariness, as though the world had demanded too much of her too often. Her almond-shaped eyes, the color of storm clouds, hinted at a sharp, discerning intelligence that missed nothing.
As Elle crossed the room to answer the door, her expression softened slightly, just enough to reveal the faintest glimmer of warmth. She pulled open the door to find Maxine and Buck standing on the doorstep. Maxine greeted her with a bright, familiar smile, while Buck lingered just behind, his posture betraying a subtle nervousness.
“What took you so long?” Elle asked, her voice carrying a note of affectionate teasing.
“Dan drives slow when he’s nervous,” Maxine replied, throwing a glance over her shoulder at Buck.
Elle’s gaze shifted to Buck, who managed a tentative smile. “Hello, Dan. It’s good to see you.”
“Hi, Elle. It’s good to be back. I missed you too,” Buck said, his voice warm.
Elle’s lips curved into a teasing smile, the corners of her eyes crinkling in amusement. “Oh, I didn’t say I missed you.”
She threw him a playful wink before her attention turned to the figures standing just behind Maxine and Buck. Garan, tall and with an air of quiet resolve, stood protectively beside Evelyn, who clutched his hand tightly. The little girl’s eyes were wide with curiosity, a shy smile playing at her lips as she took in the new surroundings.
“Who’s with you?” Elle asked, her tone shifting to one of curiosity.
“Angelo didn’t tell you?” Maxine asked, a slight frown crossing her features.
Elle shook her head. “He said it was you and Dan. He didn’t mention anyone else.”
“That’s odd. Well, this is Garan and Evelyn,” Maxine said, gesturing toward the pair.
Garan nodded politely, offering a half-wave that was more awkward than he intended. Evelyn, meanwhile, giggled with delight, her excitement bubbling over as she hopped up and down. Elle’s stern demeanor softened further as she regarded the child, her eyes warming with genuine affection.
“Oh, hello there,” Elle said, her voice tender as she smiled at Evelyn. “She’s so cute.”
“Yes, and apparently she likes everyone but me,” Maxine replied with a hint of wistfulness. She glanced down at Evelyn, hoping for some sign of affection, but the little girl quickly stuck out her tongue at her, eliciting a sigh from Maxine.
Elle watched the interaction with an amused smile before stepping aside to let them in. “Well, come on in. I’ll take you to Dad.”
Garan and Evelyn stepped inside, followed closely by Maxine and Buck. Just as they did, another woman emerged from the kitchen, entering the front room with an easy, confident stride. Maggie, in her early thirties, was a stark contrast to her sister. Where Elle was composed and elegant, Maggie radiated vibrant energy. Her jet black hair, styled in a messy, wavy femme undercut, seemed to capture the light in a way that made it glow. Her bright brown eyes gleamed with mischief, and her face, animated with a wide smile, promised both trouble and fun in equal measure. Maggie’s build was more muscular and voluptuous than Elle’s, with curves that only added to her confident, almost playful demeanor.
“Maxine!” Maggie’s voice was warm and full of joy, carrying the kind of enthusiasm that instantly filled the room.
As if drawn by an invisible force, Maxine began sliding across the floor, her feet barely moving as she was pulled into Maggie’s open arms. They embraced with the excitement of old friends who hadn’t seen each other in years, their laughter filling the room.
“Hello, Maggie,” Buck said, his voice laced with caution.
Without turning to face him, Maggie extended her left arm with her palm facing Buck. An unseen force suddenly shoved him backward, and he landed against the wall with a soft thud.
“Good to see you haven’t changed,” Buck muttered, his tone resigned yet playful. He glanced at Garan, who was watching the scene unfold with a mix of confusion and intrigue.
“Don’t worry,” Buck reassured him, “If she was angry, I’d be stuck to the ceiling by now.”
Elle moved closer to Garan, her expression more serious now, as she spoke quietly. “Maggie can control magnetic fields. Her emotions, not so much.”
Garan nodded slowly, absorbing the information. His eyes flickered between the two sisters, noting their differences and the obvious bond between them.
“That’s amazing. What do you do? I mean, what’s your… Sorry,” Garan said, catching himself mid-sentence, realizing the awkwardness of his question.
Elle chuckled softly, a sound that was more relaxed than her usual demeanor suggested. “Electricity,” she said simply.
She raised her hand, and a few small sparks danced across her fingertips before fizzling out into the air. The display was brief but captivating, a testament to the power she wielded with such ease.
“Maggie and I have complementary abilities, so we train together a lot,” Elle explained, her tone matter-of-fact.
Maggie finally released Maxine from their hug and turned to her sister, her green eyes twinkling with affection. “You love me,” she declared, her voice teasing yet full of warmth.
Elle rolled her eyes in response, though a small, fond smile tugged at her lips. She turned her attention back to Garan, curiosity evident in her gaze. “So, Garan, what’s your ability?”
“Oh, I don’t have one. I’m normal. I mean… Sorry,” Garan stammered, his awkwardness resurfacing.
Elle laughed again, the sound brightening the room even further. “Don’t worry about it,” she said reassuringly. “So, Evelyn must be the phenom then.”
Buck, who had been quietly observing the exchange, stepped forward. “That’s what we’re here to find out.”
“Well, let’s find out then. Let’s head downstairs,” Elle said, her voice taking on a more business-like tone.
She walked over to a door at the far side of the room and opened it, revealing a staircase leading down into the depths of the house. Without hesitation, the group followed her lead, with Maggie taking up the rear and closing the door behind them as they descended into the unknown.
Elle led the way down the stairs into the basement, a space transformed into a sprawling gym. The room was filled with an array of workout equipment and free weights, occupying the right wall. In the far corner, an Olympic-sized boxing ring was the stage for an intense sparring match between a large man and a smaller, agile opponent. To the left of the ring, a speed bag and a heavy bag awaited their next workout, while several sparring dummies stood in stoic readiness.
On the left side of the room, multiple doors led to various rooms and offices, some open, some closed. As the group descended, an elderly man with an air of distinguished wisdom emerged from one of the open doors. Angelo, at seventy-eight, was a figure of authority and warmth. His long white hair flowed down his back, and his face, though lined with the years, radiated a calm, knowing presence. His eyes, sharp and perceptive despite their age, widened in recognition and surprise as he saw the newcomers.
“Maxine, Daniel. It’s been a long time,” Angelo’s voice carried a mix of warmth and astonishment.
As Angelo’s gaze fell upon Garan and Evelyn, a look of shock replaced his initial recognition. “Who is this?”
Elle, standing beside Angelo, offered a blend of concern and amusement. “You really don’t know who they are, Dad?”
Angelo’s confusion deepened into a thoughtful frown. “Wait, no. I know exactly who this is. Evelyn, why are you here?”
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Evelyn, with her small frame exuding a blend of innocence and resolve, responded earnestly, “Grandfather sent me to see you.”
Angelo’s eyes widened further, a flicker of realization crossing his face. “You mean Avery? Why didn’t I see this?”
Maggie, her presence strikingly poised and composed, stepped forward. At thirty-two, she had an elegance about her, her demeanor exuding a blend of strength and sensitivity. “Dad, are you okay?”
Evelyn, still holding Garan’s hand, walked toward Angelo. The old man bent down, his movements deliberate and gentle, to meet her gaze. Evelyn reached up and touched his face, causing a single tear to slip down Angelo’s cheek. It was a rare display of vulnerability from a man usually so composed.
“Yes. Yes, of course. It’s wonderful to meet you, Evelyn,” Angelo said, his voice soft with emotion. He took a moment to collect himself, wiping his eyes before standing upright once more. A broad, genuine smile spread across his face, signaling his emotional recovery.
“Yes, everything is fine, Maggie. Three strikes is like riding a bike. Only the universe knows for sure what will happen,” Angelo said, his tone lightened but still carrying a hint of the profound.
Maxine, sensing the emotional shift, took the opportunity to redirect the conversation. “So, I guess you know why we’re here.”
Angelo’s focus returned to his guests, his expression now serious. “Yes, I suppose I do. Grandfather sent you to see me.”
Evelyn’s excitement was undeniable. She clapped her hands and bounced up and down, her enthusiasm infectious. “Yay!”
Angelo moved to embrace Maxine and Buck in turn. His hug was warm but Maxine’s was a bit too tight, causing Angelo to emit a small groan of discomfort. Despite this, his smile remained as he embraced Buck, leaning in to whisper something in his ear. Buck’s nod and appreciative smile indicated his understanding.
“It’s wonderful to see you both. I’m so glad you’re here,” Angelo said, his voice filled with sincerity.
The two men who had been sparring in the ring approached the group. Steven, thirty-eight, had a solid, athletic build. His sharp eyes and quick reflexes hinted at well-honed combat skills, and his cheeky grin added a touch of mischief to his appearance.
“Well, well, well, if it isn’t ol’ Benedict Judas. Are you here to turn us in to the Nazis?” Steven’s tone was playful, though his words carried a layer of mockery.
Buck, unfazed, shot back, “That doesn’t even make sense, runt.”
Steven’s grin widened as he threw a series of rapid punches at Buck’s torso. The punches glanced off harmlessly, and Buck remained unflinching, a testament to his composure.
“Still got it. Nice,” Steven said, his admiration evident.
Turning his attention to Maxine, Steven’s eyes softened with genuine appreciation. “And you’re looking as gorgeous as ever, Maxine. Still single?”
Maxine, along with Elle and Maggie, rolled their eyes in unison. With a mischievous glint in her eye, Maxine responded, “Oh, no one told you, Steven? I’m dating Maggie now.”
Maxine grabbed Maggie’s hand and pulled her into a passionate kiss. Buck, Elle, and Angelo watched, their smiles barely contained. The scene was both unexpected and amusing.
Steven and Garan stood in stunned silence, while Stefon, a towering Polynesian man with a powerful physique, placed a hand on Steven’s shoulder and shook his head in bemused resignation.
Evelyn giggled and clapped, thoroughly entertained by the display.
As Maxine ended the kiss, her smile was a mix of satisfaction and sarcasm, aimed directly at Steven. Maggie, momentarily disoriented, took a few seconds to regain her composure.
Buck then turned his attention to Stefon, who exuded a quiet strength and friendliness. At an unknown age, his presence was commanding yet approachable.
“Good to see you, big guy,” Buck said with a smile.
Stefon’s smile was warm and welcoming. “Howzit, Braddah? I never see you long time.”
Stefon turned to Maxine, offering a respectful bow. “Aloha, Miss Maxine.”
Maxine returned the gesture with a graceful curtsy. “Always the gentleman, Stefon.”
Stefon then squeezed Steven’s shoulder, signaling for him to return to the ring. “Come on, lover boy. No pau yet.”
With that, the two men headed back to finish their sparring session, leaving the group to catch up and prepare for their next steps.
Buck's curiosity was ignited as he looked around the gym, taking in the variety of training equipment and the boxing ring where Steven and Stefon continued their sparring. "Anyone else here we should look out for?" he asked, turning his attention back to Angelo.
Angelo, who had been watching the match with a slight smile, suddenly seemed to remember something. "Oh yes, that reminds me. There's a couple of people you need to meet. Come with me."
With a nod, Buck, Maxine, Garan, and Evelyn followed Angelo as he led them to one of the closed doors along the left wall. Elle stayed behind, her eyes drawn to Maggie, who was still standing by the boxing ring, a half-smile lingering on her face.
Elle approached her sister, her voice gentle. "You okay, Mags?"
Maggie turned to her, her expression softening as she nodded slowly. "I think so," she replied, though her voice carried a note of lingering surprise.
Meanwhile, the others reached the door Angelo had indicated. Before opening it, Angelo put his finger to his lips, signaling for everyone to remain quiet. He turned the knob slowly and pushed the door open, revealing a small, dimly lit room. Inside, there was a table with three wooden blocks neatly arranged on its surface. Sitting in a chair with his back to the door was a fourteen-year-old boy, his posture tense with concentration as he stared intently at the blocks.
Suddenly, one of the blocks began to tremble and then, almost imperceptibly, it floated an inch above the table. The boy's focus was intense, his gaze fixed on the block as it hovered. The room was so silent that the sound of Garan’s sharp intake of breath seemed to echo. The gasp broke the boy's concentration, and the block fell back onto the table with a soft thud. Startled, the boy turned around, his expression shifting from surprise to a frown as he met Garan’s gaze.
Angelo stepped forward, his tone apologetic but kind. "Sorry to disturb you, Avery. We have guests that I would like you to meet. These are some of my former students, Maxine and Daniel, and their friends, Garan and Evelyn." He gestured toward each of them as he introduced them. "Everyone, this is Avery, Avery Johnson."
Garan’s brow furrowed in confusion. "Avery Johnson? That's the name of Evelyn's grandfather."
Evelyn, who had been quietly observing, stepped closer, her innocent voice chiming in, "Hello, Grandfather."
A small chuckle escaped Garan as he shook his head. "No, Evelyn, that's not your grandfather."
Angelo, however, remained serious. "Well, not yet, but actually, yes." His voice carried a note of something deeper, a truth that was still settling in. "Everyone, this is Avery Johnson, Evelyn's grandfather."
Maxine’s eyes widened in disbelief. "You can't be serious," she said, her tone incredulous.
Avery, equally perplexed, looked from one face to another. "Wait, what?" His voice cracked with a mixture of confusion and surprise.
Angelo sighed, his hand absently stroking his beard as he considered the situation. "I'm afraid it's true, Avery. Apparently, in the future, you learn how to send people back in time. It's just as surprising to me." He paused, his eyes distant as if searching for answers in the patterns on the wall. "It's as if you put some sort of protective barrier around them when you sent them here. Now the question is whether or not Evelyn has inherited a phenom ability from you."
All eyes turned to Evelyn, who was now sitting in the corner of the room, playing with her toy and singing a made-up song, blissfully unaware of the topic of the conversation around her.
Angelo watched her for a moment, a thoughtful expression on his face, before turning back to Avery. "Well, we should let Avery finish. Twenty more minutes and then dinner, Avery."
Avery, still looking somewhat bewildered, nodded slowly. "Okay, yeah. Twenty minutes."
With that, Avery turned his attention back to the blocks, his brow furrowing in concentration once more as he resumed his practice. The others quietly left the room, and Angelo led them down the hallway to another door. This time, he reached out to knock but paused, his hand hovering in the air. He turned back to his guests, a wry smile on his lips.
"Actually, we can meet Katherine later," he said, his tone light. He motioned for everyone to turn around and retrace their steps. "Sorry about that. Katherine tends to make decisions at the last possible moment, so my understanding of her future path changes frequently. She keeps me on my toes."
***
The dining room, though modest, exuded a warmth that contrasted with the chilly night outside. A long table stretched across the center of the room, set for the evening's meal. Buck found himself seated in the middle of five places on one side of the table, with Steven to his right and Maxine on his left. Despite the comfort of the setting, Buck's annoyance simmered as Steven prattled on about his latest fighting technique, his voice filled with pride.
Maxine, catching the subtle shift in Buck's demeanor, found herself stifling a laugh, her amusement barely concealed as she listened to Steven's boasting.
Across the table, Evelyn sat between Garan and Avery, her small hands animatedly showing Avery her toy. Avery, though slightly out of his depth with the child's enthusiasm, did his best to appear engaged, his smile polite and patient. Meanwhile, Garan's gaze wandered around the room, captivated by the paintings that adorned the walls. Each piece seemed to tell a story, and his curiosity deepened as he absorbed the atmosphere.
Garan's attention was abruptly drawn to a dark figure entering the room. She moved with a grace that seemed almost otherworldly, her black cloak flowing behind her. The hood of the cloak concealed much of her face, but as she approached, two bright yellow eyes pierced through the shadows, locking onto Garan with an intensity that sent chills racing down his spine. It felt as if his blood was retreating from his limbs, pooling in his torso as a wave of unease washed over him.
Buck, noticing the sudden change in Garan's demeanor, turned to see what had captured his friend's attention. His eyes widened slightly at the sight.
Angelo stood, his voice commanding yet calm. “Everyone, I would like you to meet Katherine. She came to us about four months ago.”
Katherine bowed to the room with a subtle elegance, pulling back the hood to reveal her sharp, angular features. Thick, black hair cascaded around her shoulders, framing a face that was both striking and fierce. As her hands lingered near her shoulders, the light caught her thick fingernails—claws, really—making it clear that Katherine was no ordinary woman.
“Katherine recently escaped from an experimental laboratory where they successfully spliced her DNA with feline DNA,” Angelo continued, his tone serious. “Katherine has abilities that no human has ever had.”
Katherine’s face flushed with a mixture of embarrassment and discomfort at the unwanted attention. She quickly moved to take her seat at the far end of the table beside Avery, her movements fluid and silent, like a shadow slipping through the room.
At that moment, Elle, Maggie, and Stefon emerged from the kitchen, each balancing trays and bowls filled with food. The delicious aromas filled the room, bringing a sense of normalcy back to the gathering. They placed their offerings on the table and took their seats—Stefon settling next to Steven, across from Katherine, while the two sisters flanked their father, with Maggie beside Maxine and Elle beside Garan.
Stefon, his accent thick with a casual island charm, grinned as he announced, “Got ono grindz. Careful, it broke da mouth, yeah?”
Garan looked puzzled, the unfamiliar words leaving him at a loss. Elle leaned in close, her voice a soft whisper in his ear. “He said the food is good.”