The house was quiet when Nolan landed softly in their backyard, gently setting Mark down beside him. Mark swayed slightly, exhaustion etched deeply into his features, his body feeling heavier now that the adrenaline was fading. Nolan steadied him with one strong hand, giving him a brief but firm look of concern.
"Mark," Nolan said steadily, squeezing his shoulder with controlled strength, "take a breath. You won't help Stephen if you collapse."
Mark inhaled sharply, frustration clear on his face. "We don't have time for this. Stephen—"
"Stephen can handle more than you think," Nolan interrupted, his voice confident, authoritative. "But we'll get him back. Now."
The patio door slid open abruptly, Debbie stepping out briskly, tablet held firmly in hand. Her eyes were sharp, expression tightly composed despite the raw edge of anxiety beneath. Nolan turned to her immediately, his posture straightening slightly.
"You tracked him?" Nolan's voice was clear, firm, showing no trace of uncertainty.
Debbie nodded quickly, lifting the tablet to show lines of rapidly scrolling data and several blinking coordinates. "They didn't exactly hide it. Cecil wants us to know—he's practically begging you to come pick him up."
Nolan scowled slightly, irritation briefly darkening his eyes. "He's trying to prove a point."
Debbie met Nolan's gaze directly, her voice sharp and unflinching. "Then make sure he knows exactly how dangerous a game he's playing. Nobody touches our son."
Mark looked between his parents, slightly unsettled by the cold fury hidden beneath their careful control. It was rare to see his mother like this, fierce and unwavering, yet still composed enough to keep Nolan's anger from spiralling out of control.
"Let's go," Nolan said bluntly, making no effort to mask his impatience. "We've wasted enough time already."
Debbie stepped forward immediately, already slipping on her jacket, determination etched clearly into every movement. Nolan hesitated only a split-second, his tone softer yet still firm. "Debbie, maybe you should—"
"Don't," she interrupted instantly, cutting him off before the thought could fully form. "If you think I'm staying here waiting helplessly, you don't know me at all. I'm going."
Nolan regarded her quietly, a brief flash of pride mixing with the worry that tightened his jaw. He knew better than to argue now. "Alright. Stay close to Mark."
Mark straightened instantly at his father's words, fatigue momentarily replaced by resolve. "We're ready."
Nolan nodded once, sharply, before stepping forward and gently scooping Debbie into his arms. She wrapped one arm securely around his neck, holding tightly to her tablet with the other. Mark rose steadily from the ground beside them, his fists clenched, ready and waiting.
Without another word, Nolan shot upward, Mark close behind, soaring swiftly into the darkened sky toward the brightly-lit structure of GDA headquarters looming ominously in the distance.
They landed moments later at the front entrance, Nolan setting Debbie down with practiced ease. He strode purposefully toward the reinforced doors, not bothering to wait for them to slide open, nearly tearing them from their hinges as he forced his way inside.
_ _ ♛ _ _
Mark followed closely behind, heart hammering, adrenaline flaring again as dozens of armed security guards froze, unsure of how to react. Debbie stepped calmly inside after them, her posture resolute, eyes scanning the faces around her with icy determination.
"I believe Cecil is expecting us," Nolan said, voice deceptively calm, but the underlying threat clear to everyone present. "Take us to our son. Now."
One guard hesitated, finger tightening slightly on his weapon, until a sharp, commanding voice echoed through the lobby's intercom system:
"Stand down," Cecil's familiar voice ordered immediately. "Bring them straight to me."
Nolan's expression hardened, his fists clenched tightly as he strode forward, Debbie and Mark following closely behind.
They moved swiftly through corridors and elevators, each step carrying them deeper into the GDA's sprawling facility—closer to Stephen.
And closer to answers.
_ _ ♛ _ _
Nolan walked through the GDA corridors with purposeful strides, his every movement radiating barely restrained fury. Mark walked close beside Debbie, senses on edge, aware of the tense glances the staff gave them. Cecil awaited them at the entrance of the main control room, his stance deceptively casual.
"Nolan," Cecil began calmly, with a neutral tone that gave nothing away. "Glad you could finally join us."
Nolan closed the gap quickly, his voice dangerously low. "I warned you, Cecil. Stay away from my family."
Cecil's expression remained unreadable, unfazed. "Your son's outburst levelled half a city block. People are injured, Nolan—some dead. What did you expect me to do, just sit by and watch?"
"I expected you to respect boundaries," Nolan growled, fists clenching tightly at his sides. "Stephen was defending himself against an Alien."
"I'm aware," Cecil answered dryly. "That only makes him more valuable—and dangerous. Imagine if he'd lost control in a crowded area. You know better than anyone the threat we're facing. I had no choice."
"Don't talk to me about choices," Nolan shot back, voice edged with menace. "You had plenty. You chose to cross a line."
Cecil shook his head slightly, holding Nolan's intense gaze without flinching. "Crossing lines is what keeps this planet safe. You should know that by now."
Debbie stepped forward suddenly, her voice sharp, breaking through their tense exchange. "Enough. Where is our son, Cecil?"
Cecil's gaze shifted briefly, softening just slightly as he regarded Debbie. "He's safe. We've been treating him since we found him. He's stable, healing rapidly. Faster than we anticipated."
Mark exhaled audibly in relief, tension briefly easing in his shoulders, but Nolan's posture remained rigid, hostile. "Take us to him. Now."
"Of course," Cecil responded, waving a dismissive hand. "Right this way."
They followed Cecil in tense silence through another secured corridor, the rhythmic hum of machinery filling the oppressive quiet. As they walked, Cecil glanced sideways at Nolan, speaking again, his tone deliberately mild yet piercingly accurate.
"You know, Nolan, you're becoming more emotional lately," Cecil remarked. "That could become a liability—especially for someone with your responsibilities."
Nolan halted abruptly, eyes flaring dangerously as he turned to face Cecil. "What did you just say?"
Cecil paused, not intimidated but measured, carefully choosing his words. "You heard me. You're letting your emotions cloud your judgment. Stephen is powerful—potentially even more powerful than you. You're scared, and it's making you reckless."
Nolan opened his mouth to respond but stopped short. Cecil's words cut deeply, forcing him into sudden silence. His anger, previously boiling over, suddenly chilled. He felt exposed—vulnerable. Cecil was right. Nolan was losing control, acting irrationally, exactly as Cecil had suggested.
Debbie placed a steadying hand on Nolan's arm, gently but firmly pulling him back to the present. Her voice softened, breaking the silence. "Let's just get Stephen, Nolan. He's waiting for us."
Nolan exhaled slowly, regaining control over himself. Cecil watched, his expression subtly triumphant but still carefully neutral. Mark shifted uncomfortably, sensing the silent power struggle unfolding between his father and Cecil.
Without another word, Cecil resumed walking, leading them swiftly toward a brightly lit medical wing. The facility was strikingly advanced, meticulously clean, and appeared more like something out of a distant future rather than an underground government base. Sleek, white-and-silver walls shimmered softly, reflecting and diffusing the natural sunlight streaming gracefully through large, angled glass panels embedded seamlessly into the high ceiling.
_ _ ♛ _ _
The sunlight passed through advanced crystalline filters, transforming harsh rays into gentle, restorative waves of warmth. Tiny holographic interfaces floated unobtrusively beside each patient bed, displaying vital signs and medical data in real-time with elegant precision. The floors themselves seemed softly illuminated from beneath, gently glowing to match the ambient light filtering through the ceiling, lending the room a comforting, serene atmosphere.
As they entered the treatment room, Mark immediately rushed forward. Stephen lay quietly on a sleek, slightly elevated medical bed, breathing steadily, the refined sunlight washing gently across his skin, visibly accelerating his healing. A faint, golden glow seemed to dance delicately along his arms and face, each ray meticulously calibrated to nourish and restore. Debbie approached carefully, relief clear on her face as she gently brushed Stephen's hair away from his forehead.
Nolan remained by the doorway, silently reflecting on Cecil's words. He watched his family quietly, realizing how dangerously close he'd come to losing control—something that could endanger them all. Cecil had seen it. Nolan hated to admit it, but the older man was right. His family needed protection, not blind fury.
"Your son will be fine," Cecil said quietly, watching Nolan closely. "We've done everything we can."
Nolan nodded curtly, his anger fading slightly. "We're taking him home."
Cecil offered a slight shrug. "I expected nothing less."
As Nolan approached Stephen's bedside, placing a gentle hand on his youngest son's shoulder, he promised himself silently that he would never allow emotion to cloud his judgment again. Stephen stirred slightly beneath his touch, breathing steady and strong.
Cecil watched them quietly from the door, expression unreadable but thoughtful. Finally, with a slight nod, he turned away, disappearing into the corridor once more.
For now, Stephen was safe, their family reunited. But Nolan knew, deep down, that things were only beginning to unravel. The tension with Cecil and the GDA had only grown more complicated, more dangerous.
But at least, for tonight, the Graysons were whole again.
End of Chapter 34