The Torres family sat around the table listening to the handsome stranger.
Well, not handsome, particularly, but there's something beautiful about him, Tess thought to herself. Features that should seem sharp just seemed refined to her. Blemishes across his skin that would normally remind her of a teenager with a poor hygiene routine only made him look more relatable. Stringy, greasy hair and a strong body odor only made her sympathetic to the trials he had been through and the journey he'd taken to get here. Although she'd known him for less than an hour she recognized that she loved him. Not like a husband or lover, more like a saint that had stepped down from on high to bless them with his presence.
Tess shook her head. That was a weird thought to have, she said to herself. She'd never been prone to overly flowery descriptions or had been a big fan of organized religion. Those thoughts were swept away as she looked at him again, peace settling on her like a comforting blanket.
"So then there he was," Zavier was finishing his story. "Standing in the middle of the road and just looking around. He saw Owen helping me out of the door and rushed over to help. And now we're here!" His smile was beaming.
Gabriel gave a self-deprecating chuckle and shook his head. "It was nothing. Quite honestly, I was surprised to find anyone at all. I saw the impressive wall of your neighbors' house."
"The Bouchards!" Luna interjected helpfully.
"The Bouchards," Gabriel laughed. "Quite impressive, that. I decided to come check it out, but didn't run into a single person in the neighborhood. Have you and your neighbors not been working together?"
"We've never really been close to most of them," Zavier said. "We're friends with the Bouchards, and they're friends with everyone, but I honestly don't know the names of pretty much everyone else. Once the system started we all kind of did our own thing."
Gabriel considered that. "Hmmm… I think I'd like to meet these Bouchards. If they're friends with everyone I don't see why I couldn't be as well."
If any of them sensed anything off about the way he said that it was crushed before it could even register.
The trip to the Bouchard's had been short. The door materialized out of the wall and Owen stepped out, lit pipe in hand. He looked at the beaming Torres family, then to Father Gabriel, said "Nope," and disappeared back inside. They'd pushed the button a few more times but beat a hasty retreat back to the house when the wall-mounted turrets spun to face them.
"I think I'd like to introduce myself to the neighborhood," Gabriel said when they were back in the house. "It's my calling to unify people and usher them through these hard times."
"We don't know them well but we can give you a tour, at least," Zavier responded.
Gabriel chuckled. "No need for all of that, although I may need an escort. I don't have any attack or defensive powers, I'm afraid. I'm completely at the mercy of the kindness of strangers."
He has an odd way of speaking, Tess thought to herself.
"Maybe the boy can help me?" Gabriel glanced at Cass. "He seems able to take care of himself."
Tess and Zavier started to object but Cass sat up straighter, pride in his voice. "I can! Mom, dad - I can take care of myself now. And my whole build is around the defense of others. I can handle any of the things that show up in our neighborhood pretty easily now." He glanced at Gabriel then back at them. "Let me help."
His parents shared a look before nodding in unison. "Okay," Zavier said, "but if there is anything that any one of us couldn't handle alone you come back immediately. Don't try to be a hero, got it?"
Cass nodded enthusiastically then jumped up to grab his gear.
"I'll go with him!" Luna jumped up excitedly and grabbed her things before Cass had a chance to object.
The three of them found themselves outside in the waning light, scanning the area for threats. When none appeared they started walking to the first house bordering the Torres's, giving a wide berth to the Bouchards. Before they made it there a voice called out from across the street.
"Luna? Cass? Why are you guys out here?" Madison stood in the street with a confused look on her face.
Luna rushed over and gave her a hug. "Why are YOU out here?"
Madison's eyes had a slightly hazy look to them. "I'm… not sure. I just felt like I was supposed to be here. Hey, do you want to come inside?"
Luna looked back at Cass and Gabriel, a grin breaking out on her face when Cass waved her to go on. "Sure!"
Madison's eyes cleared up, her confusion gone. "Oh? Oh! Okay then, let's go! I have cool stuff to show you!" The girls locked arms and walked to the wall, a door opening up in the smooth surface. Gabriel tried to peer inside but just saw what appeared to be a glimmering tunnel with fluttering motes of light just before the wall closed behind the teenagers.
Cass and Gabriel
Gabriel sighed, then turned to Cass. "Before we go I'd like to get to know you a little better. Tell me about yourself." They sat on the curb, feet stretched into the street in front of them. Gabriel didn't miss how Cass continued to survey the area around them watchfully, almost instinctively. This was the nature of the world now - everyone had to watch for threats constantly. It was a crucial survival skill and one that only helped him. When they watched for the threats they knew they ignored the ones they didn't expect. As long as I keep him outside he'll be more focused on creatures than me, he thought.
"There's really not much to tell," Cass started with a sigh. "Regular life, regular parents, pretty much normal everything."
Gabriel patted Cass good-naturedly on the back, reading his deeper emotions with the touch. Hmmm… insecurity, self-doubt, fear. These were common, everyone had those and teenagers had them in spades. He could tell there was something deeper, though. He was careful not to press it too hard. That was a mistake he'd made a lot in the beginning and he'd learned his lesson. People were protective of their emotions, especially their darker ones, and pressing too hard or appearing too anxious would only tip them off that something was wrong. He'd have to go about this the old-fashioned way, through manipulation and flattery.
"I think you're selling yourself short. I've traveled a lot in this new world and seen a lot of young men your age." Forget the fact that Gabriel was only a few years older than Cass. "None of them have had the strength and levels that you have. What level are you now…" Gabriel made as if to guess but left the gap open for Cass to fill. The answer would tell him more about him. Would he remain stoic and quiet? Cautious? Would he brag, thus showing that his darker emotions were pride and conceit?
"I'm almost level 10," Cass exaggerated.
Ah, so insecurity it is, he thought. He needs to impress me. But why? Standard teenage boy shit or is there some issue with daddy?
Gabriel whistled in mock admiration. "That's very impressive! I don't think I've ever met anyone your age at that level. Is that why your parents trusted you to protect me?"
He noted the look that flashed in Cass's eyes. "Trust me to protect you? Yeah, I guess so."
"They don't think you can protect me? Or yourself?"
Cass fumbled with the hem of his shirt. "I haven't always been the best at protecting everyone. I took the class because…" he faltered at that.
"Surely your parents are proud of you. They trusted you to protect a stranger with no skills of his own."
"They just know that nothing around here is all that dangerous anymore."
Gabriel pondered this before deciding to probe some more. "What if we went into the woods together?"
The fear that crossed Cass's face told him everything he needed to know. He laughed it off before Cass had a chance to answer. "I'm kidding! That's not where we need to go anyway. We're just going to visit the neighbors and see what we can do to build a strong community."
Relief washed over Cass's face as he stood up. "Help me up?" Gabriel reached his hand out for Cass to take. Their hands touched and the seed of self-doubt that passed between them went unnoticed as it found its way into Cassian's heart.