Kane, now understanding the gesture, timidly shook her hand. “I'm Kane Silver.”
Ignis smiled, revealing a sparkle in her eyes. “Beautiful name, Kane. Are you traveling with your family?”
Kane nodded, easing up a bit with Ignis's welcoming presence. “Yes, I'm with my older brothers, Cassian and Dorian.”
Ignis nodded in understanding. “Must be a challenging journey for you. Where are you headed?”
Kane nodded. “Yes, we're heading to Seattle.”
Ignis looked intrigued. “Seattle? What a coincidence. I'm headed there too. Business, you know.”
Kane gave her a curious look. “What do you do?”
Ignis tilted her head, maintaining the mystery. “Something rather peculiar. Let's just say I'm in search of something important.”
***
While Kane stayed outside and Dorian headed to the bathroom, the responsibility of getting food fell upon Cassian.
Entering the convenience store, Cassian noticed the cashier's scrutinizing gaze. His unkempt appearance and tattered clothes, remnants of the van they had escaped, drew the attendant's curiosity. Ignoring the inquisitive looks, Cassian approached the cashier.
“How long to Seattle?” Cassian asked, getting straight to the point.
The cashier studied Cassian for a moment before answering, “At least twelve hours by car.”
“Thanks,” Cassian replied, turning to navigate the store aisles.
As he picked out items, the cashier's question hit him: “Where are your parents?”
That simple question triggered a wave of memories. Cassian recalled his mother acting similarly at stops along the way. With a pack of cookies and a soda bottle in hand, he approached the cashier.
However, as he prepared to pay, Cassian realized he didn't have a wallet, something that had never been a concern when his mother was around. A sense of helplessness washed over him.
Facing the cashier, Cassian pondered how to navigate the situation. The need to feed his brothers outweighed any embarrassment.
The cashier, sensing Cassian's hesitation, questioned, “How are you going to pay for this?”
Cassian pondered for a moment. He knew he needed to feed his hungry brothers, and the only option was to act. He was about to explain the situation when the sudden entry of a couple into the store provided a timely distraction.
Seizing the opportunity, Cassian walked out of the store with the unpaid but necessary items. The couple, engrossed in their own concerns, diverted the cashier's attention, allowing Cassian to leave unnoticed.
Cassian exited the store, hands occupied with the unpaid products, and found Kane sitting next to a woman with black hair and a red overcoat. Cassian's serious expression indicated that something was wrong.
“What are you doing?” Cassian asked Kane, keeping his voice low.
Kane smiled at the woman beside him and said, “This is my older brother, Cassian, but only by a few minutes.” He turned to Cassian and introduced, “Cass, meet Ignis.”
Ignis smiled at Cassian and extended her hand. “Nice to meet you, Cassian.”
Cassian, still serious, stared at Kane. “Mom said not to talk to strangers.”
Kane laughed lightly. “Ignis is not a stranger. She introduced herself to me, and she's also heading to Seattle.”
Ignis intervened with a reassuring smile. “Kane spoke highly of you, Cassian.”
Before Cassian could respond, the store cashier appeared, clearly annoyed. He accused Cassian of being a little thief and ordered him to stop immediately. Cassian, concerned, tried to explain.
“Sorry, I can explain,” Cassian began.
The cashier interrupted, demanding that Cassian return the stolen items. Ignis, staying calm, addressed the man.
“Apologies for the confusion. It's my fault. I sent this young man to buy some things and forgot to give him the money.”
The cashier, suspicious, asked who Ignis was. She replied, “I'm a family friend, the kids' aunt. How much is everything?”
The cashier, seemingly satisfied with the explanation, provided the total amount. Ignis took out the money from her purse and paid. Cassian, relieved, thanked Ignis. The cashier, now less irritated, returned to the store.
Ignis turned to Cassian with a friendly smile. “Well, it seems our destinies have aligned. Why don't we travel together? It might be safer with the company.”
Cassian looked at Kane, who shrugged, seeming comfortable with the idea. Dorian came out of the bathroom at this moment, joining the group and noticing Ignis.
Ignis cast a captivating look at the three Silver brothers. “What do you think? Together we are stronger.”
The Silvers, now intrigued by Ignis's offer, exchanged glances and, after a brief discussion, agreed to travel together. Ignis, with her enigmatic demeanor, became an intriguing addition to the Silver brothers' journey to Seattle, carrying secrets and mysteries yet to be revealed.
***
While helping Caleb arrange the dishes on the table, I noticed Hunter's serious expression as he hung up the phone.
“Who was it?” Caleb asked Hunter, raising an eyebrow with genuine curiosity.
Hunter, with a serious demeanor, replied, “It was Zora. She wanted to know if there were any updates.”
Caleb, maintaining his smile, commented nostalgically, “Ah, the unforgettable Zora.”
My gaze turned to him, suspicion touching my voice as I asked, “You know Zora?”
Caleb, focusing on me, replied with a casualness that made me raise an eyebrow, “Yes, she's the most beautiful red-furred wolf I've ever seen.”
Surprise etched Hunter's face, and he questioned with seriousness, “Where and when did you meet Zora?”
Caleb, still smiling, teased, “Jealous, Hunter?”
Hunter's denial was clear, but his eyes remained fixed, penetrating. “It's not that. I just find it strange that you'd say something like that, considering Zora hasn't mentioned this encounter.”
Caleb, as if dismissing the matter, explained, “It wasn't exactly an encounter. I was hired a long time ago by her father to do a job, and that's how I met her. But don't worry, Hunter. I'm not a threat.”
The exchanged looks between Caleb and Hunter carried palpable tension, as if they were both competing for something that I still didn't fully comprehend. I wondered if the story between Caleb and Zora was more than what Caleb had mentioned.