Ethan knox - October 2120
Noah was talking about what he saw at the facility, and honestly… my stomach was doing somersaults. Way more than I expected. Dr Langford hasn't changed one bit, still cold, still obsessed with treating people like they're nothing. And now, this burnout cure… the idea of it made my chest twist. If he succeeds, is he going to force more people to take the Lunex vial? Turn them into soldiers? I squeezed my fists, half to stay calm, half to make sure I wasn't shaking.
I kept sneaking glances at Kai. He shifted a little, stiff, tight. I knew that look. He was worried. Nervous about what Noah might have learned. I wanted to reach out, put a hand on his shoulder, tell him it's okay, that he doesn't have to carry this alone… but now's not the time. Not with everyone's eyes on us.
Edmund finishes updating Noah and Finn about the counterfeit.
"Interesting," Noah says, raising his eyebrows. "So Board member Mr. Oswald is behind these counterfeits."
Finn steps forward. "But he's not smart enough to have created them. Someone else must be involved."
Edmund nods. "Exactly. He's willing to provide info about the warehouse, but not the creation itself… for now, at least."
I ask, "So… what's next?" My voice feels steadier than I expect, though my stomach is still doing cartwheels.
A pause. Then Edmund leans forward, hands interlaced, calm as ever. "We can move on to the next plan."
He turns to us. "Kai, Ethan. I want you to gather as much information as possible from Christopher and Katie about the counterfeits. Katie seems most comfortable talking to you, Ethan, and Kai… you know what you need to do."
I look at Kai. He gives a small nod and my chest tightens. I know him well enough to see the storm brewing under his calm. Christopher has a way of winding Kai up, especially if he mentions me or his brother. And knowing Kai… if he snaps, there's no stopping him. My mind shouts at me... don't let him go too far, Ethan, don't let him lose control.
But I can't protest. Not now. Not when we're this close to getting answers.
Daniel, Tessa, and Ray are to handle the warehouse to gather information. I can't help thinking back to Kai pulling Daniel out of that car, blood everywhere.
"Thomas and I can work through the information on the USB you brought, Noah, and see if there's anything useful against GeneX," Edmund says, keeping his tone light.
Noah nods. "I'll go back to the facility and see what else I can find."
"and I'll head back to headquarters," Finn says. "Some security guards there have also spent time at the facility. I'll try to find a weakness."
Everything seems to fall into place surprisingly smoothly. I keep watching Kai, noticing the way he adjusts his stance, trying to mask his tension. My chest aches a little. I can't stop myself from giving him a tiny, almost imperceptible smile.
"Before I go, I would like to work with you and Dr Thomas on the USB stick" Noah adds.
Edmund raises an eyebrow. "I thought you would have already gone through it?"
"I have," Noah says, "but there's a file that seems restricted. I believe Dr Thomas can help."
Thomas looks a little startled but agrees.
I give Kai another quick glance. My heart catches when I see the faint line of worry in his eyes.
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The meeting finally wraps up and everyone slowly begins to drift back toward the main building. By the time we step outside, the sun is melting into the horizon, turning the whole sky this ridiculous shade of glowing orange. The air feels softer somehow, like the day is sighing before it goes to sleep.
Kai and Finn walk a little ahead of us.
Kai's talking quietly about something and Finn is listening with serious focus nodding once at whatever Kai just said. Kai gestures with one hand as he explains something, completely absorbed.
I grin to myself.
God, I love watching him when he forgets people are looking.
Noah steps a little closer beside me.
"Knowing Kai's personality," he says in that calm, analytical tone of his, "I'm guessing he hid the fact it's his birthday today?"
I huff out a small laugh.
"Yeah… he can be incredibly stubborn."
Noah nods like this confirms a long-standing scientific theory.
"He even warned me not to get him a gift" I add, pouting a little for effect.
Noah's mouth curves faintly.
"He never changes," he says. "He used to complain when I bought him birthday presents as well. Yet he always got me one."
I glance at him.
"So did you stop getting him gifts?"
Noah actually smiles this time and shakes his head.
"No."
I laugh.
I can practically see it in my head.
Tiny Kai with his arms folded, glaring at tiny Noah for daring to give him something on his birthday.
Yeah. That sounds exactly like him.
As we get closer to the building, something catches my eye near the back door.
Jack.
The second he sees us coming, his eyes widen and he spins around and bolts back inside like he just got caught committing a crime.
I squint after him. But no one else seems to notice him.
Up ahead, Kai and Finn stop walking and turn around to wait for us.
"I'm starving," I say dramatically as we catch up. "Can we head to the canteen before I collapse from hunger?"
Then I glance between Noah and Finn.
"You two should stay and eat with us tonight."
Finn rubs the back of his neck awkwardly.
"I'm afraid Noah-"
"We can stay" Noah cuts in smoothly.
Finn's face flashes with concern for a split second before he hides it again.
I tuck that away in the back of my mind.
We head inside together, walking down the quiet corridor toward the canteen. The building feels calm, the evening settling in.
I drift closer to Kai and slip my hand into his. His fingers immediately curl around mine.
He glances sideways at me.
"You okay?" he asks softly.
My heart does this stupid little flip it always does when he checks on me like that.
I lean lightly into his arm and smile up at him.
"Never better."
He smiles back, squeezing my hand.
When we reach the canteen doors, Kai slows. The room inside is completely dark.
He frowns slightly.
Before he can question it, I slip behind him and gently nudge him forward.
He stumbles through the doorway.
"What are you-"
Then the lights explode on.
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY, KAI!"
The whole room erupts and Kai freezes.
The entire canteen is packed with people from Trinity, all gathered around the tables, cheering and clapping.
Right in the centre stands Miriam holding a cake, the candles flickering warmly and lighting up her face.
Kai slowly turns and looks back at me, completely lost.
I beam at him.
"Happy birthday."
He stares at me like I've just dropped him into another dimension.
Behind me, I hear Finn and Noah laughing quietly.
Kai still hasn't moved.
"Come on!" Jack shouts. "Blow the candles out! I want cake!"
"Who said you're getting any?" Isaac replies, ruffling Jack's hair.
"Go on" I encourage gently, giving Kai a little nod.
He turns back toward everyone, clearly overwhelmed and takes a step forward.
Then suddenly stops. Slowly, he turns around again and his eyes land on Noah.
"It is probably best if you blow the candles out before wax gets all over the cake" Noah says with a small smile.
Kai hesitates.
"But it's your birthday as well…" he says quietly.
The room softens a little at that and Noah's expression warms.
"Then you should blow them out quickly so we can share the cake."
My chest tightens slightly.
Noah really does care about Kai more than he lets on.
And suddenly guilt flickers through me. We didn't get Noah a cake. I hadn't expected him to show up tonight.
Kai stands there for a moment longer before turning back toward the cake.
As he leans closer to the candles, Miriam suddenly calls out.
"I made sure to put extra love and care into this cake" she says proudly. "So you better enjoy it."
The candlelight dances across Kai's face.
He smiles and my stomach immediately fills with butterflies.
Seeing him like this… surrounded by people who care about him… people who want to celebrate him…
It makes my chest feel so warm it almost hurts.
Only a few months ago he thought he didn't belong anywhere. Now he's standing in the middle of a room full of people who adore him.
Like he's always been part of this family.
"Don't forget to make a wish," Miriam says.
Kai actually pauses.
He looks down at the cake seriously, like he's really thinking about it.
Then his eyes lift. They land on me and small smile forms.
Just as he's about to blow out the candles…
He stops again.
Instead of blowing them out, he straightens and walks back toward us.
"Kai?" I ask, laughing softly.
Before I can say anything else, he wraps his arms around me and pulls me into a tight hug.
I blink in surprise before melting into it.
He presses a kiss to the top of my head. My face probably looks like an idiot right now but I don't even care.
Then he pulls back and turns to Noah. Without warning, he grabs Noah's wrist.
"What are you doing?" Noah asks as Kai drags him toward the cake.
Kai grins.
"Let's blow them out together."
He glances at him.
"It's been a while since we celebrated together."
Noah looks genuinely surprised, but he lets Kai pull him along.
They stand on either side of the cake. For a moment they just look at each other.
"Happy birthday, Noah," Kai says quietly.
Noah's expression softens.
"Happy birthday, Kai."
Then together they lean down and blow out the candles. The room erupts into cheers again. People clap them both on the back while Miriam quickly steals the cake away to the kitchen to cut it up.
The party starts buzzing with life again, people talking and laughing around the tables.
Finn steps up beside me.
"Thank you," he says quietly. "It's nice to see them celebrate together again."
I glance across the room.
Kai is already being dragged into some chaotic conversation with Jack while Noah stands beside him looking mildly entertained.
"It must have been hard for Noah when Kai was gone" I say softly.
Finn nods.
"Yeah." His voice lowers. "After Kai "died"… he stopped celebrating his birthday."
My smile fades a little.
"Instead he'd go to Kai's grave and stand there for hours."
My chest tightens hearing that.
I look back toward Kai and Noah.
Now they're both here, laughing together and smiling.
Warmth spreads through me again, bright and steady. I fold my arms loosely and smile to myself.
Yeah.
I'm definitely going to make sure they celebrate every birthday like this from now on.
Together.