The journey back to the academy was quiet. The super students, some injured, others still in shock, sat in armored transport vehicles provided by the Bureau of Justice (B.O.J.). The usual banter and energy from before the wilderness program were gone—replaced by an overwhelming weight of loss.
Logan sat in the back, staring out the window, his mind racing. Midnight, his steppe eagle, rested on his lap, its talons gripping his pants but never hurting him.
Matthew sat next to him, uncharacteristically silent. His tech arm occasionally whirred as he flexed his fingers, as if reassuring himself that he was still in control.
William leaned against the side of the truck, arms crossed, eyes closed. But Logan knew better—he wasn't asleep.
Jessica sat across from them, arms wrapped around herself, still partially transformed. The stress of the battle had kept her body from fully shifting back to human. Her snake-like eyes flickered toward Logan, but she didn't say anything.
The super academy gates came into view, and as the trucks stopped, professors, medical teams, and students rushed forward to greet the survivors.
As soon as Logan stepped out, his father's car was already waiting.
---
The moment Logan entered the car, the heavy silence between him and his father settled in.
George drove in silence for a while before finally speaking. "I saw everything."
Logan sighed, "Of course you did."
George's fingers tapped against the steering wheel. "You handled yourself well. A bit reckless, but effective."
Logan didn't respond.
His father smirked. "And the eagle?"
Logan glanced at Midnight, who was perched on the backseat. "He stays."
George chuckled. "Didn't think you'd be the type to take in strays."
Logan finally turned to look at his father. "You didn't come here just to compliment me."
George's smirk faded. "No, I didn't." He exhaled, tightening his grip on the wheel. "The B.O.J. recovered some interesting things from that ship. This wasn't just a scouting mission. It was a test. They were testing how strong our defenses are."
Logan processed the information. "So, more are coming."
His father nodded. "And soon."
Logan leaned back, exhaling. "Of course."
George pulled into their estate. "Get some rest, Logan. You'll need it."
As Logan stepped out of the car, Midnight flapped its wings and followed.
---
Meanwhile, back at the academy, Matthew found himself walking with Jessica.
She had finally returned to her full human form, but she still looked shaken.
Matthew stuffed his hands into his pockets. "You okay?"
Jessica forced a smirk. "Why wouldn't I be? It's not like I nearly got killed by an alien invasion or anything."
Matthew chuckled, but it faded quickly. He nudged her shoulder lightly. "I mean it, Jess."
Jessica's smile faded. She looked down. "I don't know. I feel... different. I used my powers more than I ever have before, and it felt... primal. Like I wasn't completely in control."
Matthew hesitated before speaking. "You saved lives out there. Including mine. That counts for something."
Jessica looked at him, her golden eyes searching his. "You think so?"
Matthew smirked. "I know so. Besides, if you ever lose control, William and I will be there to put you in a chokehold."
Jessica laughed, shaking her head. "I'd like to see you try, Tech Boy."
---
Logan expected Elsa to call again that night.
She didn't.
And for some reason, that annoyed him more than anything else.
He tried to sleep, but his mind kept replaying her words, her tone, her absence.
And for the first time in a long time, Logan Holt felt alone.
---
Logan sat on the edge of his bed, absently running his fingers through Midnight's feathers. The steppe eagle had nestled itself comfortably beside him, its sharp eyes occasionally glancing up at its new owner.
The house was silent, but Logan's mind wasn't. His body ached from the battles, his knuckles were bruised from countless fights, and yet, none of that compared to the weight pressing on his chest.
His phone buzzed.
Matthew.
Logan sighed before picking up. "What?"
Matthew's usual cocky tone was absent. "Just making sure you didn't off yourself in some dramatic loner act."
Logan scoffed. "You'd like that, wouldn't you?"
Matthew chuckled, but it lacked his usual energy. "You good, man? I mean, I know we made it out, but... it was messed up. The whole thing."
Logan leaned back against the headboard. "Yeah."
A pause. Then Matthew muttered, "I heard Elsa called you."
Logan's jaw clenched. "You eavesdropping now?"
Matthew snorted. "Please, I don't need to eavesdrop when you look like someone stole your favorite gun. Just saying, man... if she's messing with your head, maybe she's not worth it."
Logan exhaled sharply, choosing not to reply.
"Anyway," Matthew continued, "Jessica and I are grabbing food tomorrow. William's coming too. You should—"
"I'll think about it." Logan cut him off.
Matthew didn't push. "Alright. Just don't go full brooding assassin mode on me."
Logan smirked slightly. "No promises."
---
William's Conversation with His Mother
Meanwhile, across the city, William sat in his mother's laboratory at the Bureau of Justice headquarters.
Dr. Helena Dawson tapped a few keys on her console, holographic images of the crashed alien ship hovering before them.
She turned to her son. "You're sure they only sent four?"
William nodded. "Yeah. But those four nearly wiped out everyone in the program."
His mother exhaled, rubbing her temples. "This isn't good."
William frowned. "Mom, what aren't you telling me?"
Dr. Graves hesitated before speaking. "We've intercepted a signal."
William's stomach dropped. "A distress call?"
She nodded. "If those four were scouts, their kind knows what we're capable of now. And they're sending more."
William leaned back, processing the information. "So what's the plan?"
His mother's eyes were sharp. "The government will prepare for war."
---
Back at Logan's apartment, he finally lay down, staring at the ceiling. Midnight adjusted its position beside him, its head tucking under its wing.
His phone was still silent.
No call from Elsa. No messages.
For the first time since they had parted, he realized she might not reach out again.
And something about that felt... final.
Closing his eyes, Logan exhaled.
The world was about to change.
And he wasn't sure if she would still be a part of it.