Gathering Information

After taking a shower and changing into clean, dry clothes, Thane and I station ourselves in the room with the portal. A part of me wants to destroy the portal but the other part of me wants to keep them around just in case... In case we ever need a way back.

But even as the thought crosses my mind, I think back to what the little old man said before. He saw a man come back and he was just a child then. There's no way these machines existed back then, it's impossible.

I stare at the machine with a frown, deep in thought as Thane and Titus try to dig out information on the computers. I don't think they'll find anything though. If it was me and I was doing something in secret, I definitely wouldn't put incriminating information on the computers.

Suddenly, Titus grows quiet as Thane grows still. I shift my eyes over to them but I could only see the sides of their faces. When I see Titus's shock and Thane's hatred, an uneasy feeling grows within my heart.

I had a feeling I knew who it was but when I hear Titus say "It can't be. This doesn't prove anything." Thane scoffs before stepping away from the computer and saying "The sooner you realize how evil he is, the better. If you keep doubting it and denying the truth, it will end up costing you your life."

Thane walks out of the room without looking back. I glance back to Titus to see him still looking at the screen with conflicted emotions. I slowly walk over and come to a stop right behind him. I see several work orders for parts and even repairs but I don't see any names.

I frown in confusion and ask "What is it?" Titus suddenly looks ten years older as he lifts a hand and points to the signature. I look at the sign-off but it's just a strange signature. I'm clearly missing something.

Before I can ask, Titus softly says "That's Thane's father's signature. Not only is that his unique handwriting, but it's also signed with a pen that is special and unique to him. When Thane was just eleven years old, I took him to pick out that pen for his father's promotion. The pen was specially built and even has custom ink. There's not another one like it..."

I look to the signature once again, remembering it and saving it for later. As I step back, Titus says in a soft voice "Someone could be trying to frame him... they could forge his signature and even take and use his pen."

I lift my hand and lightly pat his shoulder as I say "Some people aren't loyal to you... They're just loyal to their need of you. Once that need changes, so does their loyalty. In every chess match, pawns are sacrificed. Once they're no longer needed that is... Don't wait until it's too late."

I remove my hand and walk out of the room to find Thane leaning against the wall with his arms crossed over his chest. When he looks up, he gives me a small smile and nods his head as he says "Conner made breakfast for everyone."

I return the small smile and nod my head before walking to the kitchen. The fact that Titus is trying to find an excuse for Thane's father says a lot about him as a person. He's a good man who wants to trust the ones he cares about. No matter what he's faced with.

To be honest, I was already suspecting Thane's father after seeing how power-hungry he was. I'm starting to think he's made these portals in order to harness more power. He himself isn't very strong but his position within the City comes with power. Outside of the City though... he's weak and vulnerable. Why is he so desperate for more power? Was something happening with the City that we're unaware of? I shake my head and decide to think more about it later.

We have to keep an eye on Titus, at least for the time being. It's not his fault for being tricked... it just goes to show what a good man Titus is. I just hope he doesn't grieve for what he thinks he lost. He never had it to begin with. If anything, he can grieve what he thought he had. He can grieve the illusion that's been shattered.

As I step into the kitchen, I come to a stop and lock eyes with Cruz. He was currently setting the table and was frozen with a plate in his hand. Conner has his back to us so he can't see the awkward encounter that was currently taking place. Troy comes around the corner, nearly running into me as he yells out "Woah! Damn, Valerie! Don't just stand there like that! That's how car accidents happen."

He grabs both of my arms and moves me to the side before walking into the kitchen and asking "Please tell me it's ready. I'm starving." I watch him with a confused frown. Car accidents? What? Just when I think I'm starting to understand that him... he pulls things like this. I shake my head and look back at Cruz.

He was placing the plates on the table again, no longer looking at me but he did have a small smirk on his face. At least I'm not the only one who can't keep a straight face around Troy. I sigh and walk over before grabbing the silverware. I silently work with him to set the table and to my surprise, he keeps his distance from me.

I feel myself starting to relax as Troy and Conner argue about how long to cook the eggs for. As I go to put down a fork, my hand and Cruz's hand nearly touch. He quickly moves away before setting another spot at the table.

When I feel a pair of eyes on me, I glance up to see Thane watching us from the door. As soon as our eyes lock, he gives me a small smile. I return it and go back to setting the table. His smile instantly disappears as his dark eyes glide over to Cruz.

When I feel his hostility, I glance up and catch him glaring at Cruz. Suddenly, Troy pokes my side as he says "Hot food coming through!" I quickly step to the side as Conner walks over and places the hot pan down in the middle of the table.

When I glance back at Thane, the hostility was completely gone... It's making me question whether it was even there in the first place. CheeChee comes flying around the corner and hops straight towards me but Thane reaches out and grabs him in midair before saying "You're eating with me."

CheeChee looks at Thane in horror, instantly making me giggle.