They hadn't even reached the door.
It burst open.
"Miss me?"
Brent strolled in like he owned the place—jacket half-zipped, grin already loaded.
Every boy turned at once.
Rex groaned.
Theo squinted like his glasses had personally betrayed him.
Leon's expression flattened.
Cassian muttered, "You've got to be kidding me."
Eliot stiffened.
Mira closed her eyes for half a second.
"Relax," she said, opening them. "He's helping me."
"Helping?" Rex echoed. "That's the word now?"
Brent clapped his hands together.
"Wow. Group therapy went great, I see." His eyes slid straight to Eliot.
"And look at you—still drowning. You get lost on the way to picture day?"
Eliot's ears burned.
Theo stepped forward immediately. "Say one more thing and I will trip you with intention."
Leon added calmly, "We're tired. Don't."
Mira's glare could have ended wars. "Brent."
He raised both hands. "Kidding. Mostly."
She turned to the group, clearly done with him. "Everyone—if you're free today, come to our room."
That got attention.
"It's big," she continued.
"We'll watch a movie. Consider it our last memory of Ashfall." A pause. "…And the achievement."
Rex's face lit up. "Movie night? I'm in."
Theo yawned. "As long as there are blankets."
Elara nodded instantly. "We'll come."
Cassian glanced at Adrian. "Sure."
Adrian blinked. "Uh—am I allowed to tell anyone about this?"
Every single person looked at him.
Hard.
"…Okay," Adrian said quickly. "Not telling anyone."
Brent smirked. "Wow. I walk in and suddenly I'm the least annoying one here."
Mira didn't look at him. "Don't get used to it."
For the first time since Ashfall began, the tension cracked—just a little.
Movie night. One last calm moment.
Before everything caught up with them.
--
The ride home was loud.
Too loud.
"Let me see them," Rex said for the fourth time, leaning halfway across the seat.
"No," Theo snapped, pushing his glasses up with two fingers. "You'll stretch them. Or drop them. Or breathe on them."
Rex gasped like he'd been insulted at a deep, personal level. "I just want to see through genius lenses. Is that a crime?"
"Yes," Theo said instantly. "A felony."
Rex turned dramatically toward Eliot. "Back me up. You wear glasses. You understand the struggle."
Eliot blinked, startled. "I—uh—mine are different?"
Theo pointed at him. "See? Even Eliot knows."
"I didn't say that," Eliot protested, tugging his sleeves down as Rex leaned closer.
"So you won't let me try yours either?" Rex asked, wounded.
Eliot hesitated. "…No?"
Rex clutched his chest. "Betrayal. From both sides."
Leon finally intervened, one hand braced between Rex and the others. "Rex. Sit. Down."
Rex slumped back with a huff. "I just want knowledge."
"You want chaos," Leon corrected.
Theo muttered, "And fingerprints."
Adrian watched from the opposite seat, arms crossed, eyes flicking between them like he was spectating a low-budget documentary.
"Is this… always like this?"
Leon answered without looking up. "Worse when they're bored."
Rex perked up. "Hey—"
Theo shoved his glasses up again. "Don't start."
The car jolted slightly as it sped on,
Eliot pressing closer to the window, Leon steady in the middle, Rex sulking loudly, Theo guarding his glasses like state secrets.
Adrian sighed.
"…We survived a wolf," he said. "This might actually be harder."
The front seat was calmer. Almost.
Elara leaned forward between the seats, already energized. "Okay. Movie night means snacks. Real snacks. Ice cream too."
Cassian nodded seriously. "Agreed. Everyone states their flavor. No judgment.''
He paused. "Okay—some judgment."
Lunara sat back, arms crossed, watching the road. "This is unnecessary."
Elara grinned. "You say that, but you'll choose one."
A beat.
"…Mint chocolate chip," Lunara said flatly.
Cassian blinked. "Called it."
Elara laughed. "Cold. Sharp. Pretends it's not sweet. Very you."
Lunara's tail flicked under the coat. "What's yours then?"
Elara didn't hesitate. "Strawberry cheesecake. Obviously. Sweet, dramatic, looks harmless but will ruin your diet."
Cassian snorted. "Accurate."
"Your turn," Elara said, poking him.
Cassian thought for a second. "Cookies and cream."
Elara squinted. "Basic."
"Reliable," Cassian corrected. "Everyone likes it. No chaos."
From the back seat, Rex immediately yelled, "COOKIE DOUGH."
Theo snapped, "You didn't wait your turn!"
"It's important information," Rex argued. "Big chunks. Maximum joy."
Theo adjusted his glasses. "Vanilla. Plain. Predictable. You know what you're getting."
Rex gasped. "You live dangerously."
Eliot spoke softly, almost shy. "Um… honey vanilla? Or caramel swirl."
Leon nodded. "That fits."
Adrian raised an eyebrow. "Chocolate. Dark. No nonsense."
Leon exhaled, already tired. "Coffee. Keeps me functional."
Elara clapped her hands. "Perfect. Decision made. Snacks secured."
Lunara looked out the window again, but there was the faintest curve to her mouth.
"…I want two scoops," she added.
Elara beamed. "Knew it."
--
Kael sat on the edge of the table, blanket still around his shoulders, ash ears low, tail curled close like he didn't trust the room yet.
He looked at Mira. "You said you'd keep me safe."
Mira didn't look up from her screen. "I did."
"How?" His voice was steady, but the question mattered.
Before she could answer, Brent scoffed from across the room, lazily flipping a gadget open. "Easy. Lock him in a room, throw away the key. Problem solved."
The room went still.
Mira closed her laptop—slowly.
She turned her head just enough to look at Brent. "Say one more word."
Brent raised a brow. "What? I'm just being—"
"Helpful?" Mira cut in, sharp. "You're being stupid."
Silence.
She exhaled, rubbed her temples, then turned back to Kael. Her voice softened immediately, like a switch flipped.
"Ignore him."
Kael watched her carefully.
"I won't cage you," Mira said. "And I won't experiment on you. I'm calling someone I trust."
She reached for her phone.
One name.
"Nyra," she said quietly into the line. "Come here."
Minutes later, the door opened.
The girl who stepped in looked about Mira's age—eighteen, maybe—but softer. Big curious eyes.
Long hair pulled loose. A warm, easy smile that didn't belong in a room full of tension.
She looked around once. Then straight at Kael.
"…So that's him," Nyra said.
Mira stepped aside, revealing Kael fully.
Nyra nodded like she'd expected this. She walked closer, stopping at a respectful distance.
"Nice to meet you. I'm Nyra."
She extended her hand.
Kael hesitated—just a second—then took it.
Her grip was gentle but sure.
"You're safe," Nyra said simply. "You can trust me."
Kael blinked. "…Thank you."
Brent, still half-focused on his gadget, muttered, "Let me tell you, bro—if Mira called her, you're in good hands."
Mira shot him a look. He shut up.
Nyra smiled again, softer this time. "We'll figure this out. Together."
Mira finally relaxed—just a fraction.
"Thank you, Nyra," she said.
For the first time since Ashfall, Kael's ears lifted slightly.