Eight - The Ties That Bind

The Ties That Bind

Kai woke up with a start, his head pounding and his body aching. Not from hunger—the usual kind, anyway—but from the gnawing emptiness that came when he hungered for magic. He dragged himself out of bed and shuffled to the bathroom, his reflection glaring back at him like an unwelcome guest. Hollow eyes, disheveled hair, and the dark circles under his eyes made him look like a shell of himself. He splashed cold water on his face, trying to shake off the exhaustion.

No magic, no energy.

It wasn't just a craving; it was a need, deep and unrelenting. Siphoning magic was like breathing to him. And lately, everything had gone wrong. Abbie had been on edge ever since the body was found, and Jo was still pissed about the car incident. She wouldn't let him siphon her—not that he'd asked. Begging wasn't his style.

But he needed it. Desperately.

Kai smirked at his reflection. He always had a solution, didn't he? If Jo wouldn't let him siphon, and Abbie was too paranoid to get close, then there were other options in the house. He dried his face, straightened his shirt, and made his way down the hallway.

He moved down the hallway quietly, his bare feet barely making a sound on the creaky wood floors. He didn't need to think too hard about his target; it was obvious. Matthew's room was the second door on the left, and the faint hum of a lullaby toy playing inside told Kai that the youngest of the Parker clan was already awake.

Pushing the door open with a soft creak, he peeked inside.

"Kai?" Matthew's round face popped out from under the blanket, his stuffed bear clutched tightly in one arm. His messy blond hair stuck up in every direction, and his blue eyes were bright with curiosity.

Kai leaned against the doorframe, putting on his best "big brother" smile. "Morning, Matt. Couldn't sleep in, huh?"

Matthew shook his head, holding up his bear. "Barry wanted to wake up early. He said it's a good day to play."

Kai chuckled as he stepped inside, his movements casual and relaxed. "Smart bear. You're always looking out for him, huh?"

Matthew nodded proudly, hugging Barry close.

"Hey, you know you're super special, right?" Kai said, crouching by the bed. His voice was light, almost playful, but his eyes flickered with something sharper.

"Uh-huh," Matthew said, his little head bobbing eagerly. "Mom says I'm really special."

Kai grinned. "She's right. And because you're so special, I think you can help me with a magic game. Wanna try?"

Matthew's face lit up. "Magic? Like yours?"

"Exactly." Kai rested his arms on the edge of the bed. "It's super easy. All you have to do is hold Barry tight and think about happy stuff. I'll do the rest. Deal?"

"Deal!" Matthew chirped, hugging his bear even tighter.

Kai reached out, his fingers lightly brushing against Matthew's arm. The surge of magic hit him instantly, spreading through his body like a warm, electrifying wave. His shoulders relaxed, the ache in his chest easing as his energy returned. Matthew giggled, squirming at the strange sensation.

Kai gave him a playful pat on the head. "You're a champ, Matt. Thanks for the help."

Before he could pull away, a sharp voice snapped through the air.

"Kai!"

He froze, glancing over his shoulder. His mother stood in the doorway, arms crossed and her sharp glare locking onto him like a heat-seeking missile.

"Well, good morning to you, too," Kai said smoothly, straightening up and slipping his hands into his pockets.

Her eyes darted to Matthew, who was already dozing off with Barry tucked under his chin. "You're siphoning your little brother?" she hissed, her voice low but seething.

Kai shrugged, giving her a lazy grin. "Borrowing, siphoning—it's all semantics. He's fine. Look, the kid's practically dreaming about candy canes and unicorns already."

"Kai," she snapped, stepping further into the room. "He's a child. You don't touch your siblings' magic. Ever. Especially not without asking."

Kai rolled his eyes, leaning casually against the wall. "Oh, come on. I didn't take much. He's fine. Look, he's already dreaming about rainbows and teddy bears or whatever kids think about these days."

"Kai Parker—"

"Save the lecture," he interrupted, holding up a hand. "I get it. 'Kai, you're selfish.' 'Kai, you're an abomination.' 'Kai, why can't you be normal?' Blah, blah, blah. Honestly, Mom, I could recite this in my sleep at this point."

Her jaw tightened. "You're going to wake him up and apologize."

Kai's smirk widened. "Yeah... that's not happening. But hey, A for effort on the righteous parenting act."

Before she could react, Kai muttered an incantation under his breath. A shimmer of light surrounded him, and then he was gone. Invisible.

"Kai!" she hissed, her voice sharp but careful not to wake Matthew. "Kai, if you don't drop that spell right now—"

A bit later at school, Kai spotted Abbie long before she reached him. She was storming down the hallway like a woman on the edge, her pale face even more washed out under the fluorescent school lights. She clutched the strap of her bag so tightly that her knuckles turned white, and her wide eyes darted to every corner as though the walls themselves might betray her.

By the time she reached his locker, she was trembling. "They found the body," she blurted out, her voice barely above a whisper but sharp enough to cut through the chatter of the bustling hallway.

Kai leaned casually against the cool metal, his expression a mask of indifference. He spun the dial on his lock without even looking at it. "Took them long enough," he said, his tone breezy, like she was telling him about a delayed delivery rather than the discovery of a corpse.

Abbie's breath hitched, her face tightening. "They searched for two days," she hissed. "Two days. And they only thought to check the other side of the forest yesterday. A dog found it in two hours, Kai."

Kai's lips twitched into a smirk. "Smart dog." He glanced at her, expecting her usual eyeroll or maybe a sarcastic remark. But she wasn't looking at him. Her hands were shaking, her fingers twitching like she didn't know what to do with them.

"They're going to figure it out," she said, her voice cracking at the edges.

Kai straightened, closing his locker with a quiet clang. The smile stayed on his face, though it softened at the corners, carefully curated to be reassuring. "Relax," he said, his voice dropping just enough to make her feel like they were the only two people in the hallway. "The alibi we came up with is solid. Nobody's going to suspect us. We just have to stick to the plan."

Abbie nodded mechanically, but her eyes stayed glued to the floor, and her shoulders sagged under a weight only she could feel. She was unraveling, piece by piece.

"Abbie," he said, stepping into her space. Gently, he reached out and tilted her chin up, forcing her to meet his gaze. Her skin was cool beneath his fingers, and he could feel her pulse racing. "Look at me."

Her wide brown eyes met his, brimming with fear, and he softened his tone even more, letting a thread of tenderness seep through. "Trust me. I'll take care of it."

For a moment, she just stared at him, her lips parting slightly as though she wanted to believe him. It was almost too easy to read her—the desperation, the longing to be saved, the way she clung to his words like a lifeline.

That flicker of magic stirred beneath her skin again, faint but steady, like a heartbeat. Kai's fingers twitched. It was right there, just out of reach. He could siphon it. Not all of it—just enough to steady himself, to stop the gnawing emptiness clawing at his insides.

But Abbie was like a skittish deer, all nerves and instincts. If he moved too fast, if he pushed too hard, she'd bolt. He had to play the long game, keep her trust intact.

He dropped his hand and stepped back, giving her space to breathe. "Take a deep breath," he said, his voice calm and measured. "We've got this."

The hallway noise surged around them—lockers slamming, shoes squeaking, snippets of laughter and conversation—but it all felt distant. Abbie inhaled shakily, her shoulders relaxing just a fraction.

"Okay," she whispered, her voice still shaky. "Okay. I just..." She shook her head, looking at the floor again. "What if something goes wrong?"

Kai tilted his head, his smirk returning, this time with a hint of amusement. "Abbie, something always goes wrong. That's life. But that's why you've got me."

She let out a breathy laugh, almost against her will, and he saw the faintest flicker of relief in her eyes.

The warning bell rang, and the crowd in the hallway began to thin. Abbie shifted her bag higher on her shoulder.

"I've got to get to class," she said softly.

Kai nodded. "Go. Pretend everything's normal." He reached out and tapped her arm lightly, just enough to ground her. "And stop worrying. You're not the one they're going to come after."

She looked at him sharply. "That's not comforting, Kai."

"Wasn't trying to be." His smirk widened, and she shook her head, a trace of exasperation breaking through her fear.

As she walked away, Kai leaned back against his locker, watching her retreat down the hall. She trusted him, for now. But trust was a fragile thing, easily shattered. He'd have to tread carefully.

Kai made his way to class, his steps slow and deliberate. He didn't feel like being there—didn't feel like pretending everything was fine. But that's exactly what he did. He sat through his lessons, barely listening to the teacher drone on about whatever meaningless subject was being covered today. His mind kept drifting back to the mess with Abbie, the body, the magic hunger gnawing at him from the inside. He couldn't focus, couldn't care.

The bell finally rang, signaling the end of the class, and Kai gathered his things, feeling like he was moving through water. He shoved everything into his bag and walked out of the classroom, trying to avoid any lingering glances.

The cafeteria was loud, buzzing with the usual lunchtime chaos. He spotted Jo right away, sitting at a table near the back, her arms crossed over her chest, her usual scowl firmly in place. As he approached, she didn't even look up. She already knew he was coming.

"Sit down, Kai," she snapped, voice low but cutting through the noise around them. She had that tone, the one she used when she was ready to lecture him, and Kai braced himself.

He slid into the seat across from her, leaning back in his chair with a smirk. "What's up, Jo? You still mad about the little magic stunt this morning?"

"Don't even start with me," Jo said, her eyes narrowing. "You siphoned from Matt. Again. You know better than that, Kai. What if something happened? He's a kid. He's not some battery for you to drain when you get desperate." Her voice was a mixture of anger and concern, but mostly, it was tired. She had lectured him a million times before, and it always felt like it was getting nowhere.

Kai didn't respond immediately, tapping his fingers on the table, just letting her stew in her frustration for a moment. It amused him in a way—how easy it was to get under her skin.

Before he could speak, the sound of footsteps interrupted their little exchange. Abbie, her eyes still a little puffy from the stress of the morning, appeared at the table, a slight tension in her posture as she approached. She gave Jo a hesitant smile, the kind she usually reserved for when she wasn't sure how to navigate awkward situations.

"Mind if I sit?" Abbie asked, though it wasn't really a question. She was already easing into the seat next to Kai.

Jo glanced at her and huffed, clearly not in the mood for Abbie's presence right now. But she didn't protest, which was probably a good thing for Kai. He didn't need any more of Jo's lectures for today.

"Great," Kai said, grinning as he turned his attention back to Jo. Kai leaned back in his chair, his usual lazy smirk tugging at the corners of his lips. Jo sat rigid, arms crossed tightly as if to keep her emotions from spilling over.

Harmony, the last person Kai had expected to join them, slid into the seat beside Abbie, her usual confidence filling the air. She shot a glance at Kai, then at Jo, as if trying to figure out what was going on. "You guys are looking tense today," she remarked with a raised eyebrow, trying to read the situation. Her tone was casual, but there was something in her eyes that hinted at curiosity. "What's up?"

"Oh, nothing. Just the usual melodrama," he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Jo here's got a PhD in grumpy." He gave Jo a teasing look, but she didn't seem particularly interested in engaging.

Jo rolled her eyes but didn't say anything, her arms still tightly crossed as she shot Kai a glare that could freeze water.

Abbie, clearly feeling the tension, quickly tried to redirect the conversation. She shot Kai a pointed look, silently urging him to back off. "So, has anyone seen the new Back to the Future movie?" she asked, clearly aiming for something light. "I heard it's out now, and everyone's saying it's a game-changer."

Kai's eyes lit up. "Back to the Future? Yeah, I heard they're messing with time travel or whatever. Sounds like my kind of thing." His grin was mischievous, and he couldn't help but lean in, clearly intrigued. "Guess they finally figured out how to make people less boring, huh?"

Harmony laughed, her usual confidence coming through. "I don't know about time travel, but I'm all about Michael J. Fox. That guy's got charm. Plus, Doc Brown is a riot. If I wasn't so busy being awesome, I'd be lining up to see it this weekend."

Abbie shot Harmony a quick smile, glad that the conversation had shifted. "Yeah, Michael J. Fox is perfect for that role. He's got that quirky, fun vibe. You know, not like some of the boring actors we have today. He's got energy." She paused, then shrugged. "Not that I'd know what a boring actor looks like. I'm more of a 'whatever's on VHS' kind of girl."

Jo, though still a bit distant, let out a small sigh and rolled her eyes. "You guys are seriously still obsessed with movies? Shouldn't we be doing something... important?" Her voice had that edge of annoyance, but there was a flicker of curiosity in her eyes as she glanced between them.

The cafeteria was loud, buzzing with the usual lunchtime chaos. He spotted Jo right away, sitting at a table near the back, her arms crossed over her chest, her usual scowl firmly in place. As he approached, she didn't even look up. She already knew he was coming.

"Sit down, Kai," she snapped, voice low but cutting through the noise around them. She had that tone, the one she used when she was ready to lecture him, and Kai braced himself.

He slid into the seat across from her, leaning back in his chair with a smirk. "What's up, Jo? You still mad about the little magic stunt this morning?"

"Don't even start with me," Jo said, her eyes narrowing. "You siphoned from Matt. Again. You know better than that, Kai. What if something happened? He's a kid. He's not some battery for you to drain when you get desperate." Her voice was a mixture of anger and concern, but mostly, it was tired. She had lectured him a million times before, and it always felt like it was getting nowhere.

Kai didn't respond immediately, tapping his fingers on the table, just letting her stew in her frustration for a moment. It amused him in a way—how easy it was to get under her skin.

Before he could speak, the sound of footsteps interrupted their little exchange. Abbie, her eyes still a little puffy from the stress of the morning, appeared at the table, a slight tension in her posture as she approached. She gave Jo a hesitant smile, the kind she usually reserved for when she wasn't sure how to navigate awkward situations.

"Mind if I sit?" Abbie asked, though it wasn't really a question. She was already easing into the seat next to Kai.

Jo glanced at her and huffed, clearly not in the mood for Abbie's presence right now. But she didn't protest, which was probably a good thing for Kai. He didn't need any more of Jo's lectures for today.

"Great," Kai said, grinning as he turned his attention back to Jo. Kai leaned back in his chair, his usual lazy smirk tugging at the corners of his lips. Jo sat rigid, arms crossed tightly as if to keep her emotions from spilling over.

Harmony, the last person Kai had expected to join them, slid into the seat beside Abbie, her usual confidence filling the air. She shot a glance at Kai, then at Jo, as if trying to figure out what was going on. "You guys are looking tense today," she remarked with a raised eyebrow, trying to read the situation. Her tone was casual, but there was something in her eyes that hinted at curiosity. "What's up?"

"Oh, nothing. Just the usual melodrama," he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Jo here's got a PhD in grumpy." He gave Jo a teasing look, but she didn't seem particularly interested in engaging.

Jo rolled her eyes but didn't say anything, her arms still tightly crossed as she shot Kai a glare that could freeze water.

Abbie, clearly feeling the tension, quickly tried to redirect the conversation. She shot Kai a pointed look, silently urging him to back off. "So, has anyone seen the new Back to the Future movie?" she asked, clearly aiming for something light. "I heard it's out now, and everyone's saying it's a game-changer."

Kai's eyes lit up. "Back to the Future? Yeah, I heard they're messing with time travel or whatever. Sounds like my kind of thing." His grin was mischievous, and he couldn't help but lean in, clearly intrigued. "Guess they finally figured out how to make people less boring, huh?"

Harmony laughed, her usual confidence coming through. "I don't know about time travel, but I'm all about Michael J. Fox. That guy's got charm. Plus, Doc Brown is a riot. If I wasn't so busy being awesome, I'd be lining up to see it this weekend."

Abbie shot Harmony a quick smile, glad that the conversation had shifted. "Yeah, Michael J. Fox is perfect for that role. He's got that quirky, fun vibe. You know, not like some of the boring actors we have today. He's got energy." She paused, then shrugged. "Not that I'd know what a boring actor looks like. I'm more of a 'whatever's on VHS' kind of girl."

Jo, though still a bit distant, let out a small sigh and rolled her eyes. "You guys are seriously still obsessed with movies? Shouldn't we be doing something... important?" Her voice had that edge of annoyance, but there was a flicker of curiosity in her eyes as she glanced between them.

Kai smirked. "Yeah, you could use a little bit of fun in your life. You're practically giving off a 'don't bother me, I'm saving the world' vibe." He shot Jo a playful look, his eyes glinting with mischief. "You sure you're not secretly a superhero?"

Jo shot him a look that could kill, but the tiniest smirk tugged at the corner of her lips. "If I were, I'd probably be saving you from yourself, Kai. But I think the world can handle a little more of your charm for now." She leaned back in her chair, her posture a little less rigid, though her expression still held a hint of annoyance.

Harmony, sensing the conversation winding down, grinned and glanced at the clock. "Alright, alright, fun's over. You all better get to class before we get another lecture from our resident philosopher." She shot Jo a playful wink.

Abbie sighed dramatically. "And here I thought I had a few more minutes to waste," she muttered, but she stood up nonetheless, pushing her chair back.

Kai stretched, his lazy smirk never faltering. "Well, if the fun's over, I guess I should go. Wouldn't want to ruin the vibe with all my, you know, chaos." He winked at Jo, who rolled her eyes but couldn't help but look slightly less tense than before.

Jo finally uncrossed her arms and stood up, grabbing her bag. "Don't worry, Kai. I'm sure the world will still be spinning when you get back to your 'important' work," she said dryly, though there was a faint trace of humor in her voice.

"Right, right," Kai said with a grin. "Wouldn't want to disappoint the universe."

The group started to head in the direction of their next classes, the usual chaos of the cafeteria beginning to fade as they filed out. As the noise of their footsteps echoed down the hall, Abbie gave her friends one last look, a little lighter now that they'd shared a moment of normalcy amidst the chaos of their lives.

Kai headed to his next class, though the idea of sitting through another hour of monotonous lectures was about as appealing as chewing on glass. Instead, he found himself wandering the quieter hallways, the crowd thinning as students filed into their respective classrooms. He moved with purpose, even if he didn't have a specific destination in mind.

It was then that he spotted Abbie and Harmony standing near the lockers at the far end of the hall. Harmony, Abbie's self-appointed best friend, was a constant presence. She had a knack for saying exactly what was on her mind, no matter how brutal it sounded. Kai ducked into a small alcove near the water fountain, leaning against the wall just out of sight.

Not eavesdropping, he told himself. Just... strategically gathering information.

"I don't get it, Abs." Harmony's voice was sharp but not unkind, cutting through the low hum of distant chatter. "Why do you even hang out with him? Kai's not exactly... you know, approachable."

Abbie sighed, her voice quieter but clear enough for Kai to catch. "I don't know. I mean, you're not wrong. He's... complicated."

Harmony scoffed. "That's putting it lightly. The guy's a walking storm cloud. Half the time, it feels like he doesn't even want you around."

"That's not true," Abbie said quickly, defensive. "He... he just doesn't show things the way other people do."

Kai smirked. Nice save.

"Yeah, because he's emotionally constipated," Harmony shot back. "I'm serious, Abbie. He's cold, closed off. And let's not forget the whole 'mysterious bad boy with a million red flags' vibe."

Abbie hesitated, and when she spoke again, her voice was softer, almost unsure. "I don't think he's as bad as everyone says."

Harmony let out a disbelieving laugh. "Abs, he makes jokes at the worst times, avoids real conversations, and, oh yeah, seems to enjoy being the most infuriating person in the room. What am I missing here?"

"I don't know," Abbie admitted, her words almost a whisper. "There's just... something about him. Like he's more than what he lets people see."

Kai felt the corner of his mouth twitch. Interesting.

Harmony groaned dramatically. "Let me guess. You think you can fix him? Newsflash, Abs: he's not some stray dog you found in the rain. He's—"

"I don't want to fix him," Abbie interrupted, her voice steadier this time. "I just... I like him. I don't even understand why. I know he's cold sometimes. But when it's just us, when it's quiet... it's different."

Harmony didn't respond right away, and when she did, her voice had lost some of its sharpness. "You're serious about this, huh?"

Abbie sighed again, heavier this time. "I don't know if 'serious' is the right word. It's not like I even know how he feels about me. Half the time, I don't think he even notices me. And the other half... I don't know."

Kai leaned his head back against the wall, his smirk fading as he processed her words. Notices her? He noticed plenty—more than she realized. But it wasn't the kind of notice she wanted, was it?

Harmony's voice brought him back. "Look, just... be careful, okay? I know you like him, but I don't trust him. And if he hurts you, I swear I'll—"

"You'll what?" Kai said, stepping out from the alcove with a casual grin, his tone dripping with mockery.

Both girls froze, their wide-eyed expressions confirming they hadn't realized he was there. Harmony recovered first, crossing her arms and glaring at him. "You're proving my point, you know. Sneaking around, listening in—real classy, Kai."

"Not sneaking," he said with a shrug. "Just passing by. But hey, don't let me interrupt your very interesting conversation."

Abbie looked like she wanted the ground to swallow her whole, her face flushed as she stared at the floor. Harmony, on the other hand, wasn't backing down.

"What do you want, Kai?" she asked, her tone laced with irritation.

Kai ignored her, his gaze settling on Abbie. "We should talk," he said, his voice calm but firm.

Harmony rolled her eyes but didn't leave. "Right. Because nothing good ever comes from a 'we should talk' moment with you, Parker."

Kai didn't so much as glance at her. His eyes remained locked on Abbie, his tone steady but low enough that it felt like they were the only two in the hallway. "Abbie."

She swallowed hard, gripping the strap of her bag like it was a lifeline. "I'll catch up with you," she said to Harmony, her voice small but decisive.

Harmony hesitated, her glare shifting between Kai and Abbie before she sighed loudly. "Fine. But if he says or does anything shady, you tell me." With that, she stalked off, leaving the two of them alone.

Kai waited until Harmony was out of earshot before stepping closer. "You really need better taste in friends."

Abbie crossed her arms, giving him a look that was more resigned than angry. "And you need better timing. What do you want?"

He leaned casually against the lockers, his smirk returning. "I wanted to check in. You were really stressed this morning."

Abbie glanced around nervously, making sure no one was in sight, before pulling Kai towards the nearby bathroom. She pushed open the door with more force than necessary, her movements sharp and purposeful. Once inside, she let out a long, shaky breath, pressing her back to the cool tile of the wall.

Kai raised an eyebrow, crossing his arms as he leaned against the sink. "You know, I was just messing around out there," he said, his usual smirk still present, but there was a hint of curiosity in his eyes. "But clearly, there's more going on than I thought."

Abbie didn't respond immediately. She took a moment to gather her thoughts, her fingers tightening around the strap of her bag as though it was the only thing keeping her grounded. The silence between them stretched out, thick with the unspoken tension of everything that had been left unsaid.

Finally, she spoke, her voice a low murmur. "I'm scared, Kai," she admitted, her words feeling heavy on her tongue. "The next full moon... I don't know what's going to happen." She paused, her throat tightening as she swallowed against the lump that had formed there. "I don't want to hurt anyone. I don't even know if I can control it."

Kai's expression shifted, the teasing edge in his demeanor softening slightly. He pushed off from the sink, taking a few steps closer to her, his eyes studying her intently. "You're scared," he repeated quietly, as though weighing her words. "I get that. But you're not alone in this. You've got me."

Abbie shook her head, her frustration bubbling over. "You don't get it," she said sharply. "I'm not just scared of what I might do to someone else. I feel like... like I'm losing control of myself. Like I'm becoming something I can't come back from."

Her voice wavered as she spoke, but the guilt that gnawed at her was too much to ignore. She looked up at him, her eyes filled with a quiet desperation. "And Brian..." Her voice faltered, and she quickly turned away to hide the tear threatening to fall. "I didn't mean to kill him, Kai. I didn't mean it, but I still did. And now it's too late. I'll never be able to take that back."

Kai's usual flippant attitude flickered for a moment, his gaze softening as he watched her struggle with the weight of her confession. "I'm not gonna sugarcoat things," he said quietly. "We both know what happened. You can't undo it, but you've got to stop letting it eat you up inside. Guilt won't change anything."

Abbie shook her head again, the emotions swirling inside her too complicated to put into words. "But it should. It should make a difference. What if... what if I turn into something worse? What if I end up like... like the people we're trying to fight?" She wiped her eyes quickly, embarrassed by the vulnerability that she rarely allowed anyone to see.

Kai took a deep breath, stepping closer until he was right in front of her, his tone gentle but firm. "You're not them, Abbie. You're not a monster. You've got control. And if you lose it, then I'll be there to help you get it back. You've already survived things that would break most people. Don't let this guilt keep you from moving forward."

Abbie let out a shaky breath, her shoulders sagging as the fight seemed to drain from her. She closed her eyes for a moment, trying to calm the storm inside her. "I don't know if I can do it, Kai."

"Then you'll have to trust me to help you," he said, his voice steady, like a rock against the waves. "I'll be here. Always."

Abbie looked up at him, and for a brief moment, the tension between them melted away, replaced by something unspoken but powerful—an understanding of the struggles they both faced.

She swallowed hard, the words that had been caught in her throat finally slipping out. "Thank you."

Kai's smirk returned, softer now, and he stepped back, his hands casually slipping into his pockets. "I'd say you owe me one, but I don't need anything from you, Abbie. Not now, anyway."

For the first time that day, Abbie managed a small, weary smile, feeling a flicker of hope amidst the darkness she'd been feeling. "I'll keep that in mind."

They stood there for a moment, the tension between them easing just enough for Abbie to take a deep, steadying breath. It wasn't fixed, not by any means. But for now, maybe it was enough.

After school, Kai went home. He pushed the door open with his shoulder, letting it swing behind him as he walked into the house like it was just another day. The familiar sound of his father's voice echoed from the kitchen.

"Kai," Joshua's voice rang out, sharp and controlled. "Get in here."

Kai's lips curled into a lazy smile as he strolled down the hall, the playful confidence radiating off him. "You calling me, old man? I was just thinking of checking in. Busy day at work, or are you still brooding about your perfect little son?"

Joshua was already standing in the kitchen when Kai rounded the corner, his expression cold and tight with anger. He didn't waste time with pleasantries. "Why did you do that to Matthew?"

Kai paused for a moment, a flicker of amusement in his eyes before he dropped his casual façade. He leaned against the doorframe, his arms folding across his chest. "Hm?"

Joshua's jaw clenched, his eyes narrowing dangerously. "You siphoned his energy, Kai. That's not just some petty trick. You're playing with fire, and you've put everything we've worked for in jeopardy."

Joshua's voice grew louder, a rare crack in his control. "You're reckless. Siphoning him when he's practically a child, Kai, four years old. That's not just dangerous; it's wrong."

"Wrong?" Kai scoffed, a sarcastic chuckle escaping his lips. "It's my natural ability."

Joshua's face twisted with disgust. "The harm, Kai, is that you're pushing this family further and further into the darkness. You're not a god—you're a monster."

Kai straightened up, his eyes flashing with a dangerous gleam, the cocky attitude melting into something more calculating. "Maybe I am a monster. But I'm the only one who knows how to survive in this world. So don't lecture me, old man. I'm doing just fine on my own."

Joshua stepped closer, his anger palpable, but his voice was a low growl. "You keep thinking that. You keep pushing everyone away, and one day, you'll find out the hard way how alone you really are."

Kai smirked, stepping back with his hands in his pockets. "Well, good thing I've never been afraid of being alone." He turned, glancing over his shoulder with a final taunt. "Anyway, I've got more important things to do than listening to you go on about morality and consequence. Catch you later, pops."

Before Joshua could say anything else, Kai was already halfway up the stairs, the sound of his footsteps echoing through the house like a challenge. Joshua stood there, shaking his head, his anger simmering beneath the surface as he wondered just how much further his son would push things before it all came crashing down.