After talking with his parents for a long time, Ryan finally stood up.
The lantern in the small classroom had burned low, casting soft shadows across the walls.
The conversation had lasted far longer than he expected.
They had talked about everything.
The earthquakes.
The chaos in the city.
How Havenbrook had slowly filled with frightened survivors over the last couple of days.
Ryan had answered what he could.
And carefully avoided the things he couldn't.
Laura stood as well.
"You should get some rest," she said.
Ryan shook his head.
"Not yet."
Michael watched him from where he sat leaning against one of the desks.
"You're going back out there."
It wasn't a question.
Ryan smiled faintly.
"Just checking on things."
Michael studied him for another moment.
Then nodded slowly.
"Alright."
Ryan grabbed the spear he had leaned against the wall.
Laura stepped forward and hugged him again.
"Don't stay out too long."
"I won't."
Michael walked him to the classroom door.
Just before Ryan stepped into the hallway, his father spoke quietly.
"You've changed a lot."
Ryan paused.
Michael folded his arms.
"But whatever happened out there…"
He nodded vaguely toward the gym.
"…those people trust you already."
Ryan glanced down the dim hallway.
"I didn't come here for that."
Michael shrugged.
"Doesn't matter."
He gave Ryan a knowing look.
"Sometimes things choose you whether you want them or not."
Ryan didn't answer.
But as he stepped into the hallway, a familiar voice echoed in the back of his mind.
[I suppose your father isn't wrong.]
Ryan blinked slightly.
You've been quiet.
[I was letting you enjoy your family moment.]
Ryan walked slowly down the hall.
And now?
A soft laugh echoed in his thoughts.
[Now I'm reminding you of something.]
Ryan already knew what she meant.
[You were a king once.]
Her voice carried a teasing note.
[A very stubborn one.]
Ryan exhaled quietly.
That life is over.
[Is it?]
There was something knowing in her tone.
Ryan didn't respond.
The hallway stretched ahead in dim silence.
Behind him, the classroom door closed softly.
[I simply find it amusing,] Iris continued, [that even after being reborn, you're still walking the same road.]
Ryan reached the gym doors.
I'm not building a kingdom.
The doors creaked open.
He stepped inside.
I'm just trying to keep people alive.
[I know.]
Her tone softened slightly.
[But those two things tend to overlap.]
The gym was quieter now.
Most of the survivors had settled down.
Some were sleeping.
Others whispered in small groups under the dim lights.
Marcus and Elena were sitting near the wall talking.
Marcus was animatedly explaining something with wide gestures while Elena looked halfway between amused and annoyed.
Ryan didn't interrupt them.
Instead he scanned the room.
It didn't take long to find her.
Alice was kneeling near a pile of supplies, sorting through several backpacks.
Thin strands of green mana flickered between her fingers as she absentmindedly practiced shaping them.
Ryan walked over.
"You know that bottle's plastic, right?"
Alice jumped slightly.
The thin vine she had been forming vanished instantly.
"I know," she said.
"I was practicing."
Ryan sat down beside her.
"You're getting better."
She gave him a suspicious look.
"You're just saying that."
"No," Ryan replied.
"I'm not."
Alice relaxed slightly.
Then she tilted her head.
"You were gone a while."
"Talking with my parents."
"Was it… okay?"
Ryan nodded slowly.
"Yeah."
A small smile appeared on Alice's face.
"That's good."
For a moment neither of them spoke.
Then Ryan glanced toward the gym entrance.
"I was about to go grab the rest of the supplies from the car."
Alice immediately stood up.
"I'll help."
Ryan raised an eyebrow.
"You don't have to."
"I know."
She grabbed an empty backpack anyway.
"Still helping."
Ryan chuckled quietly.
"Alright."
They walked together through the quiet hallways toward the school entrance.
Outside, the cool night air greeted them.
The parking lot was still littered with Fallen corpses.
Alice wrinkled her nose slightly.
"…Still not getting used to that."
Ryan walked toward the car.
"Me neither."
They stopped beside the trunk.
Ryan opened it.
Inside were several bags filled with supplies from their trip.
Food.
Water.
Medical kits.
Alice reached for one of the bags.
Then paused.
"…How are we supposed to carry all of this?"
Ryan smiled slightly.
"Watch."
He touched one of the bags.
For a split second the air warped.
Then the bag vanished.
Alice froze.
"…Ryan."
He looked up.
She stared at the empty trunk.
Then back at him.
"…Where did that go?"
Ryan hesitated.
For a moment he considered brushing it off.
But Alice had known him for seven years.
If there was anyone he trusted with something like this…
He took a slow breath.
He hesitated—
Then answered.
"Pocket dimension."
Her eyes widened.
"…You're serious."
Ryan nodded.
"Only I can access it."
Alice stared at him for several seconds.
Then she let out a quiet laugh.
Ryan blinked.
"You're taking that surprisingly well."
Alice shrugged.
"After the last couple of days?"
She gestured toward the parking lot.
"A secret storage dimension barely makes the list."
Ryan laughed quietly.
Then he stored another bag.
The air rippled.
For a brief moment—
That same wrong feeling brushed against his senses again.
The supplies vanished.
Alice watched the process carefully.
"That's… actually amazing."
Ryan leaned against the car.
"It's useful."
Alice looked at him.
Her expression softened slightly.
"You trusted me with that."
Ryan shrugged.
"You've known me for seven years."
Alice smiled.
"Fair point."
She slung the empty backpack over her shoulder.
For a moment they stood quietly beside the car.
Then Alice looked toward the school.
"You know," she said thoughtfully.
"The last couple of days have been completely insane."
Ryan nodded.
"Yeah."
She glanced at him.
"But at least we're still alive."
Ryan followed her gaze toward Havenbrook High.
The gym lights glowed faintly through the windows.
"…Yeah," he said quietly.
"At least we are."
Author's Note:
Trust isn't given lightly…
But some people earn it.