The first to pull away was Lily, the most serious one. Arms crossed, she gave him a critical look.
"You forgot to eat again, didn't you? I'll heat up some water. You need hydration."
Despite being only thirteen, she sometimes acted like a real mother.
Damons ruffled her tied-up hair.
"Still as bossy as ever, Lily."
"I do what needs to be done," she replied, unwavering.
Lola, the second, stood up without taking her eyes off her makeshift screen.
"Did you see the cables in the alley behind? I can probably tap into them to pick up an old military signal. With a well-hidden VPN, we might access the government's educational networks."
"You spent your whole day on that?"
"And I fixed your old charger too. It lasts two more hours now."
Lola was the brain of the house. A circuit and hacking genius, at only thirteen.
And then there was Léa, the youngest, the cutest face of the trio. She ran around happily, hugging her ragdoll like it was a precious treasure.
"Look, big brother! She looks like you! She even has messy hair like yours!"
"She's perfect, Léa. I'm gonna hang her in my room."
After dropping his stuff, Damons opened his cooler with a small smile.
"Guess what's for dinner tonight… we've got meat."
A moment of silence.
Then, an explosion of joy.
"MEAT?!"
They danced, screamed, jumped. It looked like a national holiday.
"Alright, let the grand chef do his magic," said Damons.
He put on his apron, grabbed his utensils, and started cooking. His movements were precise, despite the exhaustion. The dish was simple, but smelled amazing.
"It's sooo good!" said Léa, her mouth full.
"You're getting better every time," acknowledged Lily.
"I could analyze the compounds, but I'll just say I love it," added Lola with a smile.
Later, once the plates were empty, he tucked each one of them into bed. A kiss on the forehead.
"Alright, off to sleep. School tomorrow."
"And you?" asked Lily, half-asleep.
"Just a little night patrol. Nothing serious."
He put his coat back on. The cold bit into his skin. But he walked on. For them.
In the dark alleys
The grocery bags weighed heavily on his shoulders. His breath short, he tried to stay upright.
Then… he felt something.
A strange breeze.
And suddenly, a rush of wind, followed by a sharp impact.
An elegant silhouette descended from the sky, green coat billowing.
A smile. Sharp.
"It's been a while, little brother…"
Damons' heart stopped for a moment. His gaze darkened.
"What are you here for, Stephan? Don't you have anything better to do than pick on those weaker than you?"
"Hmm. Still fat… I thought misery would've at least helped you lose some weight."
A gust of wind.
FSHHH!
A crescent blade of air sliced through. Damons barely dodged it.
The wall behind him exploded.
KRAAAAK!
"Missed," he said, with a mocking grin.
But he knew it: he didn't stand a chance.
Stephan raised his arms.
"Behold, trash… This is the power of a true chosen one."
The sky roared.
VROUUUUUUUUUUM!
A tornado crashed down on Damons.
BRRRAAAOOOUUUUUM!
Shit…!
His body flew and smashed into the ground.
CRACK! BOOM!
The earth trembled.
GRRRRRRRRMMMMM
He couldn't breathe anymore.
"You're not even worth my hatred. You're just a walking failure.
If you care about your dear little sisters, stay in your place."
And then… nothing.
Damons, crushed against the asphalt, was gasping.
He hadn't been able to do a thing.
"I'm weak…" he whispered, voice broken by sobs.
Then, the air changed.
A black circle appeared. Floating, alive, adorned with strange purple symbols.
A voice rose. Soft. Melancholic.
"At last… I've found you."