~Rhett’s POV The amusement park was everything I had imagined it would be—bright colors, thrilling rides, the smell of buttery popcorn and sweet cotton candy wafting through the air just like our previous outing with Uncle Liam. People moved around us, their laughter and shouts mixing into the lively sounds of a busy day. Ruby, Aunt Helen, and I stood near the entrance, and I couldn't help the giddy smile spreading across my face.“Alright, Rhett, lead the way,” Ruby said, nudging me with her elbow.“Oh, I definitely will,” I said playfully. “This way, ladies.”We went for the games first . I picked a booth where you had to knock over cans with a ball. It looked simple enough, but it wasn’t. I threw the first ball too high, and it soared past the cans. My second throw was better, but it only knocked over one can. I frowned, determined to win. By the time I knocked over the final can on my third attempt, the booth operator handed me a giant teddy bear.I groaned. "Oh, come on! Not t
~Roman's POV~I stepped out of the hotel into the clear morning air. The city lights flickered like scattered stars, and I hailed the first cab I saw. Sliding into the backseat, I gave the driver my address.The hum of the engine and the soft city noise did nothing to calm the storm brewing inside me. My thoughts churned with questions about Abel. Why now?The cab pulled up in front of my house, and I paid the driver without waiting for change. My shoes echoed against the stone pathway as I made my way inside. The air in the house felt heavy, laden with memories and the weight of solitude. Without hesitation, I headed straight to my room, dropping my keys on the dresser.Grabbing my phone, I dialed Kai."I'm here. Come to my room now," I said curtly before hanging up.Moments later, a knock echoed through the door."Come in," I called, settling into the armchair by the window.Kai walked in, his usual casual demeanor replaced by a seriousness that only added to my unease. He took a s
~Ruby’s POV~I hugged Esperanza tightly before watching her step into the cab. "Thanks for coming," she said with a faint, sad smile on her face."Anytime, you’re always welcome," I replied, holding her close for a second longer before letting go. I stood there and watched as the car drove away, disappearing down the road, leaving a lingering sense of loss in the air. The morning sun cast a warm glow, but the chill of the moment felt heavier than the breeze that swept through the street.I stood there for a moment, letting the weight of the morning settle. Beside me, Liam shifted his stance, sensing the shift in mood. “You hungry?” he asked, his tone light, trying to lift the atmosphere that felt thick with unexpressed grief.“Starving,” I admitted, forcing a small smile, though my stomach twisted in knots. “Let’s find somewhere close by.” The idea of food felt trivial, yet there was a comfort in routine that I craved.A few minutes later, we found ourselves at a small restaurant, t
~Roman’s POV~The sharp scent of car leather and faint cologne lingered in the air as I sat in the driver’s seat, staring at my phone. Ruby’s name appeared on the screen every time I called, and her lack of response was eating away at me. It wasn’t like her, and the longer she avoided me, the heavier the pit in my stomach grew. “She’s probably fine,” I muttered, gripping the steering wheel. But the thought didn’t stick. What if she wasn’t? What if something happened? A myriad of scenarios raced through my mind, each darker than the last. I imagined her in trouble, her voice pleading for help, and the weight of that possibility settled like a stone in my gut.“I should go back to the hotel. Just to make sure she’s alright,” I said, as if convincing myself. I turned the key, the hum of the engine filling the void in my chest, an artificial comfort that did little to quell my rising anxiety.When I arrived at the hotel, I felt the weight of disappointment settle as the receptionist c
~Ruby's POV~The shrill sound of my alarm jolted me awake. I slapped it off with a groggy hand and groaned, sinking back into the pillow. Minutes passed, and the alarm blared again, louder this time. I blindly reached for it and hit snooze once more.Just as I began to drift back into the comfort of sleep, realization struck like lightning. My eyes snapped open, and I bolted upright."Oh my God!" I gasped, clasping a hand over my mouth. My gaze darted to the clock beside the bed. I was supposed to pick up Ruby and Rhett from the airport!Without wasting another second, I leapt out of bed, the exhaustion clinging to my limbs like weights. A warm bath later and with clothes hurriedly thrown on, I grabbed my phone and car keys, rushing out the door.The drive to the airport felt agonizingly long. My thoughts tangled and twisted as the city blurred past my window.It had been days since Aunt Jean’s death, and we still had no leads. The questions swirled in my mind like a storm—what happe
~Roman's POV~The memory of the cloaked man’s voice played over and over in my head like a broken record. “A great evil is coming, and only you and your twins have a chance to stop it.” I rubbed my temples, my patience wearing thin. “Twins,” I muttered under my breath. “How did he even know about them?” No one in this city—no one outside of my closest circle—should know about them. I hadn’t told a soul. His words had a heaviness that made me feel uneasy, like an anchor pulling me into dark waters. The heavy feeling of what he had warned me about was real, almost like I could taste the fear in my mouth. His movements haunted me more. The way he’d slipped free from my grip like smoke, his form vanishing into the crowd as if he were nothing but a shadow. His agility had been unnatural, otherworldly even, and it sent shivers down my spine every time I thought about it.“Who are you?” I whispered to the silence of my study.Just then, a knock on the door broke my spiraling thoughts, t
~RUBY'S POV~The clang of dishes and the hum of conversation filled the kitchen as Helen and I prepared snacks for the kids. Their laughter and occasional shouts echoed down the hall, but it wasn’t until I heard Rhett’s voice—sharp with excitement—that I froze mid-sentence.“Roman!”Then it wa quickly followed by little Ruby’s giggling. My heart stopped mid-beat, and I froze in place, gripping the edge of the counter for support. Helen gave me a concerned look, but I didn’t have time to explain.“Stay here,” I muttered, quickly drying my hands on a dish towel. My pulse pounded as I made my way to the living room, dread and disbelief wrestling within me. Rounding the corner, I saw Roman by the door, with a casual confidence in his stance. Rhett was practically bouncing with excitement at his side, while little Ruby grinned from ear to ear.My stomach churned. How did he find us?“Kids,” I said as evenly as I could, masking the storm within me, “Go to your rooms. Mom needs to talk to R
~RHETT'S POV~The doorbell rang, a sharp, loud ding that echoed through the house. I stopped in the middle of a step and grabbed the action figure I was flying through a made-up battlefield. Ruby froze too, her eyes wide, her lips parting in surprise.“Who could that be?” she whispered.The bell rang again, longer this time, like whoever was outside was getting impatient. I jumped up and made my way to the door. My socks slid a little on the hardwood floor, but I grabbed the doorknob and yanked it open.“Roman!” I shouted, my voice so loud it made me wince. He smiled big—really big—like he’d just found the last cookie in the jar.Ruby darted past me toward the door, her pigtails bouncing as she ran. “Roman!” she squealed. Her face lit up like our Christmas tree last year. I dropped my toy and scrambled over too, curious.Standing there was Roman, tall and kind of scruffy-looking, with a leather jacket that smelled like old rain. His smile was crooked, like he wasn’t used to smiling mu
~Ruby's POV~Saturday began with a sense of heaviness due to the upcoming event. It was the day of Aunt Jean’s burial, and there was a clear tension in the house. I had just come out of the bathroom, a towel wrapped around me, with steam lingering on my skin. As I tied my robe, I made my way to the kids’ room, expecting to find them already dressed and ready.I pushed the door open slightly and peeked in. “Hope you two are almost ready?”The scene inside stopped me dead. There they were, sprawled on the bed with their tablets, eyes glued to their screens, completely oblivious to the passing of time.“Is it time already?” Little Ruby asked, not even looking up.“What do you mean, is it time?” I pushed the door open wider, hands on my hips. “We’re late already!”Both kids shot up, their wide eyes mirroring their surprise. “We are?” they chorused.“To the bathroom. Now!” I said, pointing emphatically to the door.Their tablets clattered onto the bed as they scrambled to obey. Towels slu
I stared at her, my thoughts racing. “Ruby…” I started but trailed off, unsure how to continue. “Why didn’t you tell me?”Her face crumpled slightly, her voice cracking as she replied. “I didn’t know how,” she said. “I didn’t want to burden anyone. And honestly, I was scared of what everyone would think.”Her words hit me hard. I reached across the space between us, taking her hand in mine. “You know you can trust me,” I said softly. “We’re family, Ruby. You didn’t have to go through this alone.”Tears glistened in her eyes, but she blinked them away quickly. “I know,” she whispered.The sound of Rhett and little Ruby laughing in the other room broke through the heavy moment. Their giggles felt almost surreal against the tension in the room.“Dad already has a hint about them,” I said cautiously, watching her reaction.Her eyes widened, and I could see panic flash across her face.“But I won’t say anything,” I assured her.Ruby exhaled deeply in relief. “Thank you,” she said.“But yo
~Esperanza's POV~I stood still on Ruby’s doorstep, watching the two kids who had just called her "mom." Their bright eyes sparkled with excitement, and their laughter filled the quiet street.“Mom?” I said again, the word feeling strange as it rolled off my tongue. I glanced between Ruby and the kids, a sense of disbelief churning in my chest.“Yes, Esperanza. Here are my little ones,” Ruby replied, her calm demeanor feeling so odd in this moment.Her little girl—her daughter—stepped forward with a grin that could melt glaciers. “Hi! Who are you?”I blinked, still trying to reconcile this scene. “I’m Esperanza. I’m Ruby's… I mean, I'm your mum’s cousin,” I said, my voice faltering slightly.“Oh!” The little girl, a miniature version of Ruby, grinned even wider. “I’m Ruby, too! And that’s my brother… Rhett.”The boy was less bashful. “Hi! I’m Rhett,” he said confidently, sticking out his hand toward me.I knelt slightly to his level, forcing a smile as I shook his hand. “Hello, Rhett,
~Ruby's POV~The phone buzzed on the countertop as I finished folding a fresh stack of laundry. I glanced at the screen: Esperanza.“Hey, what’s up?” I replied, feeling the warmth of my clothes fresh from the dryer.“Hi, Ruby. I’m heading out to get some things in preparation for Aunt Jean’s burial. Do you want to come with me? I could use some company,” she said in a cheerful tone, but I could sense the sadness behind her words.I paused for a moment, feeling the heaviness of the day weighing on me like a thick fog. The weekend was coming, and it brought up feelings of loss and sadness. But I also remembered that I could really use something to take my mind off things. Going out into the world might help lift my spirits, even just a little bit for a little while.“Sure,” I said, forcing a note of enthusiasm into my voice.“Great. Where should I pick you up?” she asked, her voice brightening.“I’m not home right now,” I lied, the guilt curling in my stomach. “Let’s meet at Freddy’s
~Damien's POV~The smell of gunpowder filled the air as I focused on the target board a few yards away. I lost my concentration when I heard the sharp sound of Evan’s shot, as his bullet hit the bullseye perfectly.“You're better at this, I must say,” I said, lowering my gun and eyeing the target board with a grudging nod.“You think so?” Evan smirked, clearly enjoying the compliment.“That’s the bitter truth,” I admitted, adjusting my stance and taking another shot. My bullet struck the chest of the painted body diagram—just slightly off-center.“Is that a confession or you admitting I’m better than you in this field?” Evan teased.“Don’t let it get to your head,” I shot back, trying to focus on the board in front of me.“But if we’re being honest, Dane is the best,” Evan said, glancing at the man standing quietly to the side.Dane, who was always humble, shook his head. "No, I don’t think so."“I mean it. Even with that hand situation, you’ve got better,” Evan added, reloading his w
~Ruby's POV~The smell of sizzling onions filled the kitchen as I stood at the counter, preparing breakfast. The kids busied themselves around me, handing over ingredients.“Rhett, pass me the eggs,” I said, retrieving the groundnut oil from the cupboard.“Here you go, Mom,” Rhett said, carefully passing the bowl of eggs.“Thanks. Little Ruby, the pepper, please.”“Um, Mom,” Little Ruby began as she handed me the pepper, “when are we going to see Aunt Jean?”The question struck me like a bolt of lightning. I froze, nearly letting the onion slip from my grasp. “Aunt Jean?” I repeated, buying time to collect my thoughts.“Yeah, we still haven’t visited,” Rhett added with a curious tone.I set the onion down, turning to face them. “About that…” My voice faltered, and I ran a hand over my forehead.“What is it, Mom?” Little Ruby asked, concern lacing her small voice.I crouched to their level with a heavy heart. “The thing is…I’ve been trying to find the right words to tell you both. It’s
~Ruby's POV~“So what have you been doing all day?” I asked, closing the door behind me. “Mom!” Little Ruby squealed, running to hug me “Roman’s been helping us draw. Look!” She held up a page filled with a colorful creature.“Is this supposed to be Raphael from TMNT?” I said with a raised brow. “Yes, Mum.” I smiled faintly, ruffling her hair. “Looks like you’ve been busy.”Rhett stood up, holding out another drawing. “This one’s mine. Roman said it’s the best.”I raised an eyebrow at Roman, who shrugged with a chuckle.“Well, it’s not bad,” I said, feigning a critical look. “But maybe next time, draw them with fewer teeth.”“Not a chance!” Rhett said, laughing.Roman met my gaze over their heads, his expression warm but unreadable. For a brief moment, the stress of the day faded, and I let myself imagine—just for a second—what it might feel like for this to be normal.But reality was never that simple.I couldn’t help but chuckle. “Thanks. I really appreciate you doing this.”“It’
~ROMAN’S POV~The kids sat at the kitchen table, their brows furrowed in concentration as they worked through a series of math problems I had written out. Leaning over Rhett’s shoulder, I pointed to the equation he was struggling with. “Alright, look here. Start by simplifying the numbers inside the parentheses,” I explained, tapping the paper lightly with my pen. “Ohhh, I get it now!” Rhett said, his face lighting up as he scribbled the answer. You can tell he was obviously excited. Across the table, Little Ruby raised her hand triumphantly. “Done! Check mine, Roman!” Her voice was filled with pride, and I couldn’t help but admire her enthusiasm.I took her sheet and scanned it. “Perfect. You got it all right.” Her grin stretched from ear to ear, and I could see the confidence swelling within her. She tilted her head, her pigtails bouncing with the motion. “Have you ever considered teaching?”“Teaching?” I repeated with a laugh, raising an eyebrow. “Me? A teacher?” The idea felt f
~Ruby's POV~I held the phone to my ear, Esperanza’s voice steady on the other end.“What’s up?” I asked, hoping this wasn’t about more bad news.“I just thought you’d want to know… Keely’s in the city,” she said, her tone cautious but firm.“Oh my God.” My heart sank. “When did she arrive?”“This morning,” she said.“How is she? How’s she processing the news?” I asked, pacing the living room.“She’s… better than we expected,” Esperanza replied after a brief pause.I let out a heavy sigh, running my hand over my forehead. “Oh, Keely…”Esperanza’s voice softened. “What’s done is done, Ruby. We just have to heal. What we have now is each other.”She was right, of course, but it didn’t make the situation any less daunting. “Yeah, you’re right, Esperanza. You’re absolutely right.”“Dad wants us to meet up to discuss the burial plans now that Keely’s here,” she continued. “Think you can make it?”I nodded, even though she couldn’t see me. “Yeah, I’ll be there in an hour or two.”The moment