The next house up was Ken's.
Luke: See ya, dude.
Tiffany: Goodbye, Ken.
Ken: Adios amigos.
Ken had had Luke and Tiffany park several metres away from his house. After all, the less his parents saw, the less they worried. He, as usual, knocked on the door.
Ken: I'm home.
A few seconds passed, and he heard footsteps. It was his mother.
Frida: Kenny!
Ken: Hey mom..
He was sweaty, and his clothes looked quite a bit dusty. And, of course, he had not thought of the fact that he'd just spent the whole afternoon in battle. Sure, he thought about it from his perspective, but not nearly enough from his mother's.
Therefore, he was a bit shocked when his mother gave him a big hug.
Frida: Oh Ken... Oh, Ken...
Ken: Mom.... I....
He quickly realised his error and adjusted his mood.
Ken: It's alright, mom. I'm fine.
Frida: I know that now, baby. I know that now. I was sooooo worried about you.
Ken hugged his mother back.
Ken: It's alright, mom. I'm fine.
Frida: Are you sure?
She pulled back and immediately started to inspect his body.
Frida: No cuts, no bruises, no muscle strains...
Ken: No, no, not at all.
Frida lifted his arms and checked underneath them.
Ken: Mom, I'm fine. Really. Just tired.
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Frida had a deep sigh of relief.
Frida: Oh, thank the heavens. I was so worried about you.
Ken: Sorry.
Frida quickly stepped out of his way and let him inside, as she suddenly realised that she was in her son's way.
Frida: Come in, come in...
She and her son walked into the house.
Frida: I mean, when you texted to us that you were heading out of town with Luke and the others....
Ken had done this using his bionics earlier.
Frida: ...well, let's just say that your father was on your way to find you just before you texted us saying you were coming back.
Ken: Dad?
Frida: Mmmm, hmm. He just left to go get us some food. He figured we'd all be too tired to cook.
Ken: I see.
Ken walked up to his room and prepared to take a bath.
Meanwhile...
Luke drove Tiffany back to her home. She lived alone.
Once the van stopped, she slowly walked outside the van.
Luke: See ya later, Tiff.
Tiffany: Yeah. See ya.
Tiffany slowly walked away, and Luke slowly backed out of the driveway before Tiffany suddenly stopped and turned to him and stopped him.
Tiffany: Luke!
Luke stopped the van.
Luke: Yeah?
Tiffany looked worrisomely at the beat-up van.
Tiffany: I could help you with that, you know.
Luke smiled.
Luke: No. It's alright. Remember...
Tiffany: I... I see.
Luke backed out of the house, and Tiffany slowly walked into her house. It was a normal and completely normal looking house in which she lived alone. It was tidy, neat and all was well organised.
She walked to the showers to take a bath.
Luke got out of the driveway and made his way to Timo's. He knew Timo would be expecting him. In fact, he'd checked his phone, and Timo had already asked him to come around if he was able.
After all, he needed money to repair his van. And now was a perfect opportunity. After taking a shower at his home and getting a fresh change of clothes, he made his way to Timo's.
He made it to Timo's and packed his car. There wasn't a single bit of damage in the vicinity.
The spider bots had never made it that far.
Just as he'd parked, Timo, in spite of the long line, immediately rushed outside.
Timo: Luke the man!
Luke: Uncle Timo!
He grabbed Luke and gave him a big hug.
Timo: Where you been? You're late.
Luke: Oh, I'm sorry. I needed to take a bath and get a refuel.
Timo: Oh, I see.
Timo looked at the van and noticed the damage.
Luke: In any case, I'm ready to work.
Timo: Oh, Luke. You've had rough day, no?
Luke: Huh?
Luke looked at the damaged van as well.
Luke: Yeah. But in any case, it still drives. And I need the money to repair the roof.
Timo: I see.
Timo put his hand on his chin.
Timo: Tell you what. Since you had rough day, I repair van for you. Free of charge.
Luke: Really?
Luke couldn't believe his luck.
Timo: Of course. After all, you must be tired after today.
Luke: Timo... th... thank you.
Timo: No need to thank me. But, I still need someone to take pizza.
Luke: I'm on it, boss!
Timo: Good. You can take my car.
Timo gave him a pair of keys as his other employees looked at the situation questionably.