Published at 18th of August 2026 9:35 am

Chapter 44 A Trophy Father's Trophy Son

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I need your help. Give me the power to bring Violet to justice, the power to avenge Jean-Lucs murder; give me the power to kill her.

Aubreys words from last night echo inside my head as I start to make breakfast. Ill need to discuss this with Momentus, or at least with Vivienne. Having different perspectives is how you remain objective. Because Aubrey, as she is, cannot hope to even harm Violet. Her Tinkerer power is useless against her as far as Im aware. What can a helmet do against a woman who is basically a god? No, shell need to be much stronger, which either means we figure out a pair of abilities that have a completely busted combination power, or Ill have to make her a Subject. Kais experiments with Ten and Thirteen have shown promise given the success of his debut, and Six, while a disloyal rebellious bastard, is an absolute monster in combat. Zero remains the only stable success, and she likely could kill Virtue, but Aubrey hasnt shown any signs of being special. I need to test her resolve. See how far shes actually willing to go to bring down Violet. If her motivation or conviction is found lacking, then I suppose Ill have to create the circumstances to cement them.

Daniels still sleeping upstairs, but it isnt from heavily drinking for once. He actually hasnt had a single drink since I came back; theres not a drop of alcohol in the entire house. Should I bring it up? He has been a different person since we started the garden, which reminds me. I head outside to the backyard, opening the door to the greenhouse my father has built. Its large enough that I can walk around comfortably without disturbing any of the vegetables. The temperature control is impeccable, allowing our family project to operate year-round regardless of weather. I shouldnt be surprised given his profession, but this is probably nicer than most peoples apartments. That is, if you ignore the lack of privacy and plumbing. I water the few plants that need it before checking in on the broccoli and scallions. My breakfast omelet wont be complete without them. I only harvest exactly what I need; taking more is wasteful, especially when Daniel cannot cook at all.

I close the door to the greenhouse securely, with my bounty in my arms. The chilly air jolts me awake, my breath fogging as I travel the ten feet back to my house. I need to make some tea. Dropping the veggies onto the counter, I grab my cutting board and knife. Footsteps descending down the stairs announce Daniels arrival. He lets out a sleepy yawn, mumbling to himself for a moment before taking a seat at the table. I pour him a cup of coffee, placing the mug in front of him. I hadnt taken much notice of it before, but there is an alertness to his eyes that wasnt present previously. Hes taking care of himself for the first time in years, and I shouldve noticed it sooner. I would have, if I didnt have a hundred other things that Im focusing on.

Hows it going? You doing alright after yesterday? I asked.

I should be the one asking you that question; Im the parent, remember? Daniel responded.

I'm fine. The second time hurts less than the first, I said self-deprecatingly.

Oh, Eryk, Daniel said softly. I dont even know what to say. I doubt I could say anything that would help, but I am here for you. Take it from me, sometimes knowing you arent alone can be just what you need. You saved your dad, you know that?

That would be a first for me.

Whatre you talking about?

God knows Ive been a shitty father, he started to say.

Thats not true, I interrupted.

No, I have been. Its obvious now that I let my grief overcome me; losing your mother was hard for me. Theres not a day where I dont miss her, but thats not an excuse for being an absent father to you, Eryk. I pushed you away because you were a reminder of what Id lost, and thats unforgivable. I love your mother, but youre the best thing to ever happen to us. I see her face in yours, and instead of cherishing that, I decided to numb myself with alcohol. I turned the home I built for our family into a mausoleum for her. A dozen years, Ive spent mourning, ignoring my son, and my responsibilities as a father. I failed you, Eryk, and if you werent so special, so intelligent, and motivated, he paused for a moment, the only sound the sizzling of the pan. If you werent so self-sufficient, if you werent four times the man I am, there's no telling what would have happened to you. And it wouldve all been my fault. Im sorry, son. Im sorry for being a failure as a father figure, for leaving you alone, and for being so pathetic that you had to be the one to care for me.

Im speechless. Nothing in my years of research or all the studying of human behavior and emotions could prepare me for this. I dont know what to say. Theres an aching feeling in my chest, one I recognize as sadness, but a different kind. It isnt like when I woke up and confronted how I felt about having to give up my friendship with Vivienne. The urge to stop cooking, to run to Daniel, my father, is overwhelming. But what would I do? What would I say? Hes hurting, and I dont know how to help, nor why I want to. My mouth is dry, and my hands are lightly trembling. None of the current personality pieces are enough to explain this. Is this compassion and sadness together? Compassion is a deep feeling of sadness and sympathy for another person's pain, combined with a strong wish and drive to make things better. Is it so much stronger because I know him? Does it hurt because of our relationship?

I move the pan off the burner and swiftly walk over to him. My body is moving on autopilot, and I reach for the man sitting down in his bathrobe, clean-shaven, clear-eyed, and not reeking of booze in the morning for the first time in twelve years. My arms wrap around him, and I hug Daniel. Im struggling to understand whats happening when he hugs me back tightly. It clicks for me what the complicated feelings inside of me are, what they represent. I love my dad.

I love you, Dad, I said, and for the first time, I mean it.

I love you too.

I grab both our empty plates and bring them over to the sink, rinsing them before putting them inside the washing machine. Breakfast was nice. Simple, easy, and I didnt have to think too hard about it. To say that this is a monumental change to our relationship would be a gross understatement. The realization that not only do I have an attachment to Daniel, but that I actually love him is overwhelming. It is unfortunate that no one knows about my unique condition, so I cant ask someone how to navigate these new and unfamiliar feelings. I am navigating uncharted territory, and Im so happy I cant stop smiling like an idiot. This is why Nobody exists. To give me the power to pry humanity out of Neuvohumans until I am one.

Aubrey is taking it harder than I am, I said, breaking the comfortable silence. Its easier to talk to him now. She recently recovered her memories of the graduation party. Losing Marcus was harder on her than me, but those two were always closer to each other than the rest of us. Remembering everything that happened that night, without the months to process it that the rest of us had, shattered whatever composure she had managed to assemble. Then Jean-Luc died, and she blames herself for that.

Im sorry. I know how hard losing a loved one can be, but shes not going to find salvation or understanding at the bottom of a bottle. It took me way too long to learn that one is too many, and a thousand is never enough, Daniel said.

So you have given up drinking? I asked. I noticed the lack of liquor in the house, but I wasnt sure if that was a coincidence or not.

Shame darkens Daniels face, but he closes his eyes and releases a deep breath.

Yes. Another apology that I owe yu. I cant imagine its been pleasant having an alcoholic father around, and Im sorry for burdening you with my disease. I dont expect you to forget all of my mistakes, nor forgive them, but what I would like is for you to allow me to take the chance youve given me to start anew. I told you that you saved me, and thats true. I dont know if offering to start a family vegetable garden with me was an intentional olive branch or just a coincidental whim, but it was the wake-up call I needed. It gave me a purpose. Having a task that required research and care and attention forced me to stop drinking constantly. Turns out gardening takes quite a bit of work, he said, chuckling.

Life has a funny way of causing tiny, spur-of-the-moment decisions to have wide-reaching consequences. My shopping trip to create an alibi and purchase the materials and tools to hide Marias body ended up becoming the turning point in my fathers life. Murdering Maria inadvertently led to saving Daniel. The universe is both infinitely expansive and immeasurably small in a way. Just like how visiting the guy who discovered my secret identity led to me being discovered by Technologica. Daniel is staring at me, and I realize I got caught up in my own thoughts again.

Im glad. Truthfully, it was a happy accident. I wont lie to you and say that you were the worlds greatest dad or anything, but youre right that I didnt need much growing up; I still dont, I stopped, waiting to see his reaction. The only sign that my words hurt is a slight twitch of his face that disappears just as quickly as it appears. But you made sure I was taken care of; I never went hungry or cold or a hundred other things that some kids have to deal with. Theres no way to go back and fix what happened or didnt, but we can both make the choice to change what comes next. Im happy youve quit drinking and that you enjoy gardening so much.

Its a shame that I didnt get to see it happening, but Im so proud and happy of the man you turned into. I wont squander this second chance, Eryk, I promise. If Lindsey could see you now, well, shed probably say you need a haircut, but shed also be so proud of you, Daniel said, reminiscing happily for once.

He said her name. I cant remember the last time I heard him say it. Lindseys ghost has haunted this man and this house for years. Growing up, her name wasnt spoken, ever. He really has changed for the better. The few memories of her I possess paint a picture of a loving wife and mother, even if that means nothing to me. How different would things have turned out if she hadnt died? Would Nobody still exist?

Thanks; is that your incredibly unsubtle way of telling me I need to cut my hair? I asked sarcastically.

My hair isnt that long.

If thats how youd like to interpret my heartfelt words, then so be it. Maybe Maria likes the shaggy mop look, he joked.

Oh. I forgot to tell him.

Maria and I arent together anymore, I said.

WHAT?

Yeah, we broke up over the summer. We tried to make it work, but when we sat down and actually figured out the logistics of a long-distance relationship, we realized it wasnt feasible, I lied.

What a shame. The two of you were crazy about each other, he said, his face scrunching up momentarily. I couldve sworn that she told me she had switched schools and was going to go to Quinstin University with you, but Im probably misremembering. I get it, kid. Long-distance isnt as easy as it seems at first. Im sorry you had to learn that the hard way.

That was too close. Maria might actually be my worst enemy; even dead and buried six feet down in the middle of a fucking forest, shes still causing me problems.

Yeah. Also, I guess I should mention that I am currently seeing someone, I said reluctantly.

If Im going to be spending more time with Daniel, which Im actually looking forward to, then Ill need to be extra careful with what lies I tell him. My dads eyes go wide as he smiles.

Thats the old Blakely charm there. You can thank your dear old dad for that one, buddy, he remarked, belly laughing at his own joke. Believe it or not, before Lindsey and I met, I was quite popular with the ladies.

Uh-huh. Moving on, her name is Emma. Shes from Canada. Before you start firing questions at me, this relationship is in the early stages. Very new. Theres a reason that I didnt bring her with me, I warned.

Forgive me for being excitable. My son just revealed both a breakup and a new relationship in the span of a single minute. So, a Canadian girl? Where from?

How did we get to my current love life, again? I thought we were focused on your failings as a father, I joked, and to his credit he didnt take it the wrong way. Yes, shes Canadian. Shes from a small town up there, population so small you probably cant find it on any maps.

On account of everyone who lived there being dead.

Whats she like? He questioned, continuing his impromptu interrogation.

Loyal, passionate, fierce, people person who wears her heart on her sleeve.

And by that I mean obsessive, crazy intense, psychotic, unrestrained social manipulator with a penchant for murder and cruelty.

Do you have a picture of her?

No, and enough with the inquisition. Youve done a great job with the garden, even if I think you went a little overboard with the greenhouse, I said, steering the conversation away from my girlfriend.

The sparks in his eyes signal that my plan has worked. He launches into an impassioned speech about the design of the garden, and Ive successfully escaped any more questions about my love life. I pour a glass of water as he continues talking, a flash of something in the peripheral making me turn toward the windows above the sink. Nothings there, probably just the glare of the sun reflecting off the snow or something. I take a seat across from Daniel and enjoy his company as he talks. Its a bit of a shame I have to go back to Quinstin today, but Ive already bought my Quickrail ticket, and I have a lot to do.

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