Finn Lennoy - September 2120
Kai and Ethan show us around the old abandoned school. People move through the halls, going about their daily routines as if nothing is unusual. It's strange, but I stay alert, noting every glance, every shift in posture.
Some seem wary at first. Others stop mid-step, doing a double take at Noah and Kai. I can tell they're caught off guard, seeing another version of Kai walking among them. I keep a careful distance, making sure Noah is safe, my eyes flicking over the crowd.
Ethan pauses occasionally to introduce us, and slowly the atmosphere softens. People start to warm up, and some of the kids run over, asking Noah questions. I watch Noah interact, and I can't help but feel a little tension ease in me. The kids seem genuinely excited.
The people here are kind and welcoming. It's clear they like Kai, and watching them engage with him… it's nice.
When the tour ends, Ethan leads us to Edmund's office.
The conversation that follows is exactly what I expect. Edmund and Noah mostly talk about GeneX, the Lunex vials, and Edmund's revolution. Watching them, I can see Noah come alive, genuinely engaged, excited. They share a rhythm, a natural understanding of each other's scientific talk. I feel a twinge of something, maybe envy, but mostly relief that Noah gets to shine here.
I wouldn't lie, I feel a little out of place. But seeing Noah so animated, so alive… I can't help but be happy for him.
As they go back and forth, I find myself thinking, if Edmund had been Noah's dad instead of Dr Langford, maybe he could shine like this all the time. And maybe… maybe I wouldn't have to carry this watchful weight, keeping him safe, even as I quietly want more than I can ever say.
The conversation suddenly shifts toward the counterfeits, and I sit up a little straighter.
"As you both are aware, these counterfeits on the Lunex vials are getting out of hand" Edmund leans forward on his desk.
He folds his hands, but unlike Dr Langford, it doesn't feel uncomfortable or intimidating.
"Yes, the GeneX board has now prioritised the control of these vials" Noah says.
Edmund nods.
"I did think they would get involved soon. However, my worry lies with how close these vials have been arriving near the school."
He continues, telling us about two of the victims they have in their basement. One is a man who can control acid but seems to have lost all sense of himself. Then he mentions the woman they recently found in the forest. She seems confused but aware of her surroundings and even talks.
"Interesting," Noah leans back, thinking. "Would it be possible to observe both of these individuals?"
"It would be an honour to have your help" Edmund agrees. "Dr Thomas and I have gained some research, but with your assistance, I'm sure we can advance quickly."
"I look forward to working with you both" Noah replies.
When the conversation finishes and we stand, Noah pauses near the door.
"I heard Dr Thomas used to work for the facility," he says, turning back to Edmund. "I am happy to help your organisation, but I wish to speak to him, to hear everything about his time there."
Edmund remains seated, fingers intertwined, pausing to think.
"I understand you wish to know more about Kai's time there," Edmund says. "But you should know we respect Kai's privacy. It's not our place to talk about his time there."
I glance at Noah. He seems slightly irritated by the answer, but there's a small, almost reluctant smile on his face.
"Understood. Thank you for your time, Dr Edmund" Noah nods, and we turn to leave.
Outside, Noah stops and sighs.
"That's a shame. I was hoping it would be easier to figure out what happened to Kai at the facility" he says, tugging at his sleeve.
"Maybe it's for the better" I respond.
He sighs again. "I want to know everything, but…" he pauses, "…I can't help but feel grateful for their respect toward Kai."
"Are you going to tell him about you working at the facility with your dad?" I ask Noah.
He hesitates, then shakes his head. "I don't believe now is the right time. He would only worry."
I nod, understanding him more than I probably should. Even I can't shake the worry, what Noah might find there, what could happen to him. Unlike the headquarters, I'll have more restrictions there to ensure his safety. That place is fully guarded under Dr Langford's control. If Kai knew Noah was going… he might even try to stop him.
"You know if you don't tell him sooner, he'll get angry once he finds out" I say, partly to warn Noah, partly hoping Kai would intervene.
"I know, but I can't have him worrying about me" Noah replies, voice calm but firm.
We walk back across the field, the sky darkening. Lights flicker on in the building behind, casting long shadows. My eyes scan the surroundings automatically.
Up ahead, Kai and Ethan sit on a bench. Ethan's smiling, leaning close, holding onto Kai's arm playfully. Kai… isn't impressed. He leans on his hand, frowning, staring beyond the field.
When they notice us, Ethan jumps up, still grinning.
"How did it go?" he asks.
"It went well. He informed us about what's been happening around here" Noah replies.
I glance at Kai. His shoulders slum, the tension in his posture, the tight line of his jaw… "What's wrong with him?" I ask softly.
Ethan looks at Kai briefly but keeps smiling. "Well, since you both came all the way here, and even brought gifts," he says, "we'd like to treat you to a meal and drinks in town."
I feel that knot of unease. I understand why Kai isn't happy. The idea of leaving here, even for a meal, doesn't feel safe.
"Do you think that's a good idea?" I ask. "It's risky. What if we're noticed? We can't exactly risk GeneX catching Noah and Kai together."
"Exactly," Kai mutters. "See? I wasn't being paranoid."
"You don't need to worry about that," Ethan waves. "The people there just want simple lives. They think we're university kids out for fun."
I still can't shake the caution. Even with Ethan's reassurance.
"Noah is known as the face of GeneX. Surely people would recognise him" I mutter.
Ethan argues back, "Kai's been there before. No one recognised him. Surely they won't recognise Noah."
He's not wrong, but I can't relax completely.
"But-" Kai and I start at the same time, but Noah cuts in with a bright smile. "Sounds like a good idea."
My chest tightens. He steps forward and pats my shoulder. "It would be good to experience normal life together."
I glance at Kai. Resistance, conflict… we used to do this all the time as kids, wandering through towns without a care. Now, it's riskier. And yet… maybe it's what we need.
"Fine," I cave, "but only if Kai agrees."
Kai looks at us, still reluctant, but finally nods. "Fine."
Ethan bursts with excitement, yanking Kai to his feet.
"Well, let's get going. Ray can give us a lift to town."
_____________________
The town is closer than expected. Ray drops us off, and Ethan leads us to a small barn-turned-restaurant called Fantails.
It's quiet, and we're seated in a smaller room. The food comes fast, and as drinks arrive, the conversation takes off. Laughter, teasing, stories… it all feels lighter than usual.
"When I first met Kai, he was so weak," I say, laughing, the warmth from the alcohol making my chest tingle.
"No I wasn't" Kai smirks. "I remember kicking your arse all the time."
"Whoa! I so beat your arse" I jab back, waving a hand. "Tell him, Noah!"
Heat rushes to my face, and I feel a little dizzy. The alcohol makes everything warmer, louder.
"I do believe it was equal." Noah says, smiling. "Although near the end Kai did seem to win more fights."
I frown, then lunge, wrapping him in a soft headlock and ruffling his hair. "You traitor" I tease. Noah tries to pull my arm off, but I don't care, we're laughing too hard.
"I also beat you on that staircase" Kai shrugs, sipping his drink.
"Yeah, only because you cheated." I shoot back, swaying slightly. "If you didn't have that power, I so would've won."
Kai laughs. "Oh ho. You think so? Why don't we have a sparring match like the old days?"
"Maybe not here." Ethan nudges him, still smiling.
Noah reaches for the bottle, only to find it empty.
I wobble to my feet. "I'll go get another round." I slur slightly.
But Kai gets up too. "No, like Ethan said, it's our treat."
I wave him off. "Don't be stubborn. Let me get this round."
At the bar, I order, and Kai slides in next to me. "You're the one being stubborn." he says, swaying slightly before plopping onto the stool.
I slide beside him. "You're not a very good drunk, are you?" I tease, words heavy and slurring.
He points at himself. "Me? You can't talk."
I laugh. He's right. But maybe it's the alcohol, maybe it's him, I feel… unguarded.
I glance at Noah and Etha, they're steady, unaffected.
"Looks like they can handle theirs." I mutter.
Kai looks at them, softening for a moment, almost like the kid he used to be. It tugs at my chest.
"Kai," I slur. He turns. "I'm really glad you're alive."
He blinks, caught off guard, then looks away.
"Noah… we were both devastated when we thought you were dead" I continue, heartfelt.
The waitress sets our drinks down, and I pay quickly. I wobble back, but Kai doesn't move.
"I'm sorry," he says quietly.
I sink back. "Why? Your bastard dad did this."
He laughs softly. "I just didn't want to hurt either of you. You should've forgotten me. I didn't want to drag you into my problems."
I nudge him. "I've always been dragged into you and your brothers problems. You Langford twins are the same." I laugh, warm, tipsy.
He smiles faintly and silence stretches.
"You know," I say, "Noah went back to that scene, looking for any signs of you."
Kai swallows hard, staring.
"I went with him," I say slowly. "I think he hoped you'd turn up too."
"But as we looked through the ashes, Noah found your tournament trophy." I add, gentle.
"My trophy?" he says, confused.
"Yeah, it melted a bit in the fire, But Noah kept it safe. Even after we moved in together, he always made sure it had a place in the house."
Kai stares into his drink. I pat his back.
"Finn," he says, voice soft, "thank you... For being there for Noah when I couldn't."
"You don't need to," I slur slightly. "I'd do it even if you were there."
He sighs, smiling faintly. Even though he's never said it out loud before, I know he knew about my true feelings for Noah.
He stands and nudges me. I catch myself on the bar, and before I react, he wraps me in a headlock.
"Don't expect me to be grateful for not trying it on with my brother," he mutters, laughing.
I jab him in the side. He lets go.
"You're still a dick," I say, kicking his leg. We collapse into laughter, swaying slightly, the room spinning gently.
As we head back to the table, I can't help but wonder what life would have been like if the twins had grown up somewhere normal, without all the chaos and danger.
But… at least we get to experience a moment like this together now.