Trust Between Friends

While Rose and Luke were running outside, Andrew pulled Ethan into their room, finally finding the chance to discuss something privately. Thankfully, Heather was too cold from being outside all day and hurried to the fireplace to warm up, paying them no mind. 

Andrew had, of course, noticed her glances. It was the same as in their past life. But someone as naive and immature as her couldn't capture his interest. So he treated her as he did everyone else he wasn't interested in—with polite indifference.

Ethan looked a little confused but obediently let himself be led into their room. He watched as Andrew locked the door behind them.

Andrew took a deep breath, his expression serious. He knew what he was about to say would be shocking, but he trusted Ethan to understand the gravity of the situation. With determination in his voice, he spoke: "Ethan, do you trust me?"

Ethan nodded slowly, his expression growing serious as he sensed the weight in Andrew's tone. 

"You are my best friend, of course I do. Whom am I to trust if not you? What's on your mind?" he asked, leaning in closer. 

Andrew took a deep breath, steeling himself for what he was about to propose.

"What I'm about to say might sound insane, but you know I'd never suggest anything without a good reason." He took a deep breath, then locked eyes with Ethan, his gaze unwavering. "Let's enter a portal."

Ethan stared at Andrew in disbelief, his eyes widening as he processed the words. He opened his mouth to speak, then closed it again, clearly struggling to find the right response. After a moment of tense silence, he finally managed to ask, "Are you absolutely certain about this?"

"Yes."

Ethan paused, his brow furrowing as he thought it over. The gravity of the situation wasn't lost on him, but he trusted his friend's judgment implicitly. After a moment of contemplation, he nodded slowly, his voice resolute as he spoke.

"Alright, I'm in. If you think this is the best course of action, then I'll follow your lead. But can you explain your reasoning behind it?"

Andrew exhaled in belief. He had hoped that his friend would agree quickly, and he wasn't disappointed. "These portals, these abilities people gain, it will change our world as it is today. The things I said to Mrs. Kepler to convince them to take us along were not in jest or just to make her afraid. That is the future we are facing."

Ethan swallowed subconsciously. Hearing Andrew voicing his own assumptions and fears made them feel all the more real.

"We need to get stronger, quickly. Only then can we prepared to survive whatever we will encounter." Andrew continued. "The best way to do that is to gain abilities on our own. And for that there is no other way but to enter the portals."

"You think the training we are doing currently will not be enough? Even if we add weapon training?" Ethan asked.

"I fear so. Even if we are trained well, how would you fair against someone like Luke, able of wielding fire? And there have been first reports of others with remarkable abilities."

Actually, there had been no such reports just yet. With government still in control, they held it under wraps. 

Andrew's revelations to Ethan were largely drawn from his own experiences. He wouldn't have shared such sensitive information with anyone else.

Their friendship, which began when they were ten, had weathered life's harshest storms—the loss of Ethan and Rose's parents, and the abuse Andrew suffered at his relatives' hands. They had proven time and again that they could trust each other with their lives.

Andrew felt comfortable entrusting Ethan with this information. However, he chose to keep his rebirth a secret—not due to a lack of trust, but because of its sheer incredibility. How could he explain something he himself couldn't understand?

Ethan ran a hand through his hair, his mind racing. "But what about the others? What about Rose?"

"We will leave her with the Keplers." Andrew replied. Seeing in his face that Ethan was uncomfortable with that thought to let her out of his sight, Andrew tried to reassure him: "She will be safe here with them. Portal sightings in such rural areas are extremely rare. You have seen the data. And then there is also Luke. He will surely keep an eye on her."

Ethan scoffed and wanted to interrupt, when Andrew lifted his hand to stop him. "I know he is not the most mature, but right now he is the strongest. Quite frankly, even if something were to happen right now, you and me wouldn't be of much help." At those words Ethan's mood visibly darkened. "Thus," Andrew concluded "we need to get stronger. Only then can we protect those we cherish. Agreed?"

"Agreed," Ethan grunted. "When do we leave? How do you want to go about it?"

Andrew glanced at his watch. "Tomorrow morning, we'll tell everyone we're going to town to stock up on supplies - no one will find that suspicious. The youngsters can train with Sam. I hope to be back before they notice anything strange. That way, no one will think of following us."

Ethan nodded, his expression determined. "Alright, I'll make sure to pack some extra supplies without raising suspicion. We should also bring some basic survival gear, just in case."

Andrew thought then nodded. "Do that, but keep it light, we don't want to be weighed down by too many things."

Both returned to the others, each having their own thoughts. 

One question lingered in Ethan's mind, though he chose not to voice it: With portals being incredibly rare in rural areas and only appearing for twenty-four hours, how did Andrew know there would be a portal tomorrow? 

Ethan could have asked, but he sensed he wouldn't get an answer right now. Instead of pressing him, he decided to wait for Andrew to tell him in his own time.