“How’s it feel to be free for the entire summer?”
Greg’s voice pulled my attention away from the window, and I glanced over at him as he guided the SUV through traffic. The sunlight streamed through the windshield, warm and steady, nothing like the tight feeling that had been sitting in my chest earlier that morning.
I let out a small laugh and shrugged. “It doesn’t really feel real yet.”
“It will,” Greg said with a smirk. “Give it about three days. You’ll be bored out of your mind and begging Natalie for something to do.”
“I don’t think so,” I replied, though a small smile tugged at my lips.
“Oh, I know so,” he said, shaking his head slightly. “You and Toby are going to run this house into the ground if we don’t keep you busy.”
I leaned back in my seat, glancing out the window again as the school disappeared behind us. The roads were already busy, people moving through their day like nothing had changed, even though everything felt a little different to me.
“Nat and I are still tossing around some ideas for the summer,” Greg continued after a moment. “We want to do a few things with you boys. Maybe take a couple trips, get you out of the house a bit. Any ideas?”
I hesitated, my fingers tracing lightly against the edge of the seat as I thought about it. I wasn’t used to being asked things like that, not really. Usually, I just went along with whatever was decided.
“Not really,” I said with a small shrug.
“Not really, huh?” Greg shot me a sideways glance, one eyebrow lifting. “Come on, mister. I know there’s something in that head of yours. You don’t get to be that quiet and not have ideas.”
I let out a small breath, my eyes drifting back to the passing trees outside. Sheldon’s voice popped into my head, talking about his family trip last summer—how they slept outside, cooked over a fire, stayed up late just talking. It had sounded… nice.
“Can we go camping?” I asked, a little more quietly than I meant to.
Greg didn’t answer right away, and I glanced over, half-worried I had said something stupid. Instead, I saw his grin spread wider.
“That,” he said, pointing at me briefly before putting his hand back on the wheel, “is an excellent idea, Zachary.”
“Really?”
“Absolutely. Fresh air, no screens, just the wilderness and the two of you trying not to get eaten by mosquitoes,” he said. “It’s perfect.”
I laughed softly at that.
“We’ll bring it up at the next family meeting,” Greg added. “I’m pretty sure Toby will agree to anything that involves snacks and not going to school.”
“That’s fair,” I said.
Greg chuckled and adjusted his grip on the wheel as we slowed at a light. “Anything else? We’re taking requests today.”
I shook my head. “I think that’s it.”
“For now,” he corrected. “You’ve got all summer to add to the list.”
I nodded slightly, letting that settle. The idea of having a list at all still felt strange.
The car grew quiet for a few minutes after that, but it wasn’t uncomfortable. Greg turned the radio on low, some classic rock song playing softly in the background while we drove.
I leaned my head back against the seat, watching the sky shift between buildings as we passed through town. My mind wandered without really settling on anything, just moving from one thought to the next. The dream from that morning flickered briefly at the edge of my thoughts, but it didn’t stick this time. It felt farther away now.
“Hungry?” Greg asked after a few minutes.
I glanced over at him. “Kinda.”
“Kinda?” he repeated, giving me a sideways look. “That’s all I’m getting?”
I shrugged slightly. “I could eat.”
“That sounds more like it,” Greg said.
“We’re gonna stop at Fazoli’s,” he added after a second. “You ever been?”
I shook my head.
Greg grinned. “Alright, then you’re in for it. Their breadsticks are amazing. Way better than Olive Garden.”
“That’s a bold claim,” I said.
“It’s an accurate claim,” he corrected. “You’ll see.”
I nodded, glancing back out the window as he switched lanes, the road stretching out ahead of us as we headed toward lunch.
The smell hit me the second we walked through the door. It was warm and heavy, like bread and pasta mixed together, and my stomach reacted immediately. Greg just smirked as he held the door open behind us.
“Told you,” he said.
We stepped up to the counter, and Greg let me order first. I hesitated for a second, scanning the menu before picking something simple, then moved aside while he ordered. A few minutes later, we had our trays and found a table near the windows.
I barely had time to unwrap my silverware before a basket of breadsticks hit the table.
Greg leaned back in his chair, watching me with that same knowing look. “Go ahead,” he said. “I want to see your reaction.”
I picked one up, still warm, and took a bite.
He wasn’t wrong.
“Okay,” I said after a second, trying not to sound too impressed. “These are pretty good.”
“Pretty good?” Greg repeated, raising an eyebrow. “That’s what you’re going with?”
I took another bite and shrugged. “They’re better than pretty good.”
“That’s more like it,” he said with a grin. “Told you they beat Olive Garden.”
I didn’t argue with him after that.
We started eating, the conversation coming easier now. Greg asked about school, about my friends, about the last day, and I answered between bites. It felt normal—just sitting there, talking, not really thinking about anything else.
At some point, I reached for another breadstick without even realizing it.
Then another.
Greg didn’t say anything right away. He just watched, a small smile forming as I kept going. By the time I grabbed the sixth one, he leaned forward slightly.
“Six,” he said.
I froze mid-bite and looked at him.
“Six breadsticks,” Greg repeated, shaking his head. “And you told me you were ‘kinda’ hungry.”
I swallowed quickly, trying not to smile. “I was.”
“Yeah, okay,” he said, leaning back again. “Natalie has no idea what she’s in for this summer.”
I laughed quietly, breaking off another piece anyway.
“Our grocery bill is going to be ridiculous,” Greg went on. “I’m gonna have to take on extra clients just to keep up with you and Toby.”
“That’s not fair,” I said.
“It’s completely fair,” he replied. “You two are bottomless pits.”
Before I could respond, his phone buzzed on the table. He glanced at the screen and smiled.
“Speak of the devil,” he said, tapping it before setting it between us on speaker. “Hey, love.”
“How’s everything going?” Natalie’s voice came through clearly.
“Good,” Greg replied. “We’re killing a little time. Figured we’d grab lunch since Mr. Montgomery won’t be available for another hour.”
“Where did you take him?” she asked.
“Fazoli’s,” Greg said proudly.
There was a small pause, then a soft laugh. “Oh, that explains it.”
I smiled without meaning to.
“How many breadsticks has he had?” Natalie asked.
Greg glanced at me, then back at the phone. “Six.”
“You’re creating a monster,” Natalie said with a laugh.
“I heard that,” I said.
“That sounds about right,” Greg added with a smirk.
“They are really good,” I said.
“I’m not surprised,” Natalie replied. “You boys and bread don’t stand a chance.”
Greg grinned. “I’m just glad someone appreciates my food choices.”
“I always appreciate them,” she said lightly. “What are you two doing after that?”
“We’re gonna swing by the mall for a bit,” Greg said. “Let him pick out a new game or something, then we’ll head into the office.”
“That sounds nice,” she replied. “Try not to let him talk you into buying half the store.”
“No promises,” Greg said.
I rolled my eyes slightly, but didn’t argue.
“I’ll see you boys later,” Natalie added. “Tell Zachary I love him.”
“I’m right here,” I said.
“I know,” she said warmly. “I love you.”
“I love you too,” I said quietly.
“Alright, I’ll let you two finish eating,” she said. “Call me if anything comes up.”
“Will do,” Greg replied before ending the call.
He picked up his drink and took a sip, still smiling a little.
“You’re in trouble,” he said.
“For what?” I asked.
“Six breadsticks,” he repeated.
I shook my head, laughing under my breath as I reached for another one anyway.
“Unbelievable,” Greg muttered, though he was still smiling.
We finished eating a few minutes later, throwing everything away before heading back outside. The warm air hit us as soon as the door opened, and Greg held it for me as we stepped out into the sunlight.
“Alright,” he said, glancing over as we walked toward the car. “Let’s go find you something at the mall.”
The mall was busier than I expected for the middle of the day. People moved in and out of stores, conversations blending together with the faint music playing overhead. Greg walked beside me at an easy pace, like he had done this a thousand times before.
“Alright,” he said as we stepped inside. “Where to first?”
I glanced around for a second before pointing down one of the hallways. “Game store?”
“Lead the way,” Greg replied.
We made our way through the crowd and into the store, the noise shifting immediately as game demos and chatter replaced the mall’s background hum. My eyes moved across the shelves, taking in rows of cases and displays.
“Take your time,” Greg said from behind me. “You don’t have to rush it.”
I nodded and moved slowly along the aisle, scanning through the different titles. A few stood out, but I kept going, picking one up here and there before putting it back. I wasn’t used to just choosing something like this.
“What about that one?” Greg asked after a minute, nodding toward a case I had paused at.
I picked it up again, looking it over more carefully. “Yeah… I think this one.”
“Good choice,” he said easily. “Let’s grab it.”
I held onto the case as we made our way to the front, Greg paying for it without much fuss. When we stepped back out into the mall, I glanced down at the bag in my hand for a second before looking back up.
“Thanks.”
“You’re welcome,” Greg said. “Birthday perks.”
We started walking again, heading back toward the main part of the mall. I slowed slightly as my attention drifted toward another store we were passing.
Greg noticed immediately. “What’s up?”
I hesitated, then nodded toward the storefront. “Can we go in there for a second?”
Greg followed my gaze and smiled. “Yeah, of course.”
We stepped inside the toy store, and the atmosphere shifted again. Bright colors lined the walls, shelves packed with everything from action figures to puzzles and stuffed animals.
I moved slower this time, letting my eyes wander until they landed on a section filled with plush toys. My steps carried me over without much thought.
Toby doesn’t have any of these.
The thought settled in and didn’t leave.
I reached out and picked up a small stuffed bear, running my thumb over the soft fabric. It was simple—brown, nothing flashy—but I could already picture him holding onto it.
“You thinking about your brother?” Greg asked quietly from beside me.
I nodded.
Greg glanced at the bear, then back at me. “You think he’ll like it?”
“Yeah,” I said. “I think so.”
“Then let’s get it.”
I looked up at him. “Really?”
“Really,” Greg said with a small smile. “Good call, Zach.”
I held onto the bear as we walked to the register, and Greg paid again without hesitation. A minute later, we were back out in the mall, the smaller bag tucked in with the other one.
“You didn’t have to do that,” I said as we walked.
“I know,” he replied. “But I wanted to.”
We made our way back toward the exit, the crowd thinning slightly as we got closer to the doors. The sunlight outside was bright after the softer lighting inside, and I blinked a couple of times as we stepped out.
Greg checked his watch as we headed toward the car. “Alright,” he said, unlocking it. “We’ve got just enough time to get over to the office.”
I nodded and climbed into the passenger seat, setting the bags carefully at my feet. The smaller one shifted slightly when I adjusted it, and I steadied it with my hand before leaning back in my seat.
Greg started the engine a second later, and we pulled out of the parking lot, heading toward his office.
Greg made a few teasing remarks about me always being hungry as he pulled into the parking lot of the office building, but I just smiled and shook my head, still feeling full as he parked the SUV.
“Come on,” he said, shutting off the engine. “This shouldn’t take too long.”
I nodded and followed him out of the car, leaving everything where it was as we headed toward the entrance. Greg pulled the door open for me, and the cool air inside wrapped around us as we stepped into the quiet front office.
“Did I miss anything exciting, Lisa?” Greg asked as we approached the desk.
“It was like you were never gone, Mr. Harris,” Lisa replied with a bright smile before looking at me. “It’s nice to see you again, Zachary.”
“Hi,” I said quietly.
Greg rested a hand lightly on the counter. “Let me know when Mr. Montgomery gets here, alright?”
“Of course,” Lisa said. “I’ll buzz you.”
“Thanks.”
Greg turned and motioned for me to follow him down the hallway. The lighting dimmed as we moved away from the front, the sounds of the office fading into a low hum. He opened his office door and stepped inside, heading straight for his desk while I took the seat across from him without much thought.
For a few minutes, everything felt normal. Greg flipped through a document, scanning lines, making small notes, occasionally glancing up to say something to me. I answered when he spoke, but my attention kept drifting somewhere else.
There was something there. Not a thought exactly. Not a sound. Just… something. An itch at the back of my mind.
I shifted slightly in my seat, rubbing the back of my head without thinking, trying to shake the feeling. It didn’t go away. If anything, it sharpened, pressing forward just enough to make it impossible to ignore.
My phone chimed, breaking through it. I pulled it out and glanced down.
Gavin: Tell Uncle Greg that my dad said I could stay the week.
I typed back quickly.
Me: Okay, I will.
Another message popped up.
Gavin: Thanks, Zach!
I slipped my phone back into my pocket and looked up. Greg was still focused on his paperwork, flipping another page.
I opened my mouth to tell him—
The phone on his desk beeped.
“Mr. Harris,” Lisa’s voice came through the speaker. “Mr. Montgomery is here.”
Greg straightened slightly. “Thank you, Lisa. I’ll be right there.”
He looked over at me with a small smile. “I’ll be right back, buddy. Alright?”
“Yes, sir,” I said quietly.
Greg came around the desk, ruffling my hair as he passed before stepping out into the hallway. The door clicked shut behind him, and the room fell quiet again.
The itch came back immediately.
Stronger.
I shifted again, pressing my fingers lightly against the back of my head as the feeling spread, turning into a low, steady pressure. A faint buzzing followed, building slowly, like something just beneath the surface trying to break through.
I frowned, glancing around the room. Nothing had changed. The desk, the shelves, the quiet hum of the computer—it was all the same.
The buzzing grew louder.
Not around me.
Inside.
I pressed my fingers harder against my temple, breathing a little unevenly as the sound climbed—
Then it stopped.
Completely.
The silence that followed felt heavier than the noise had been.
I lowered my hand slowly, blinking as I tried to steady myself. My gaze drifted toward the window without thinking.
A bright red cardinal sat perched on the bush just outside, its head tilted slightly as if it was watching me. It hopped once, moving closer to the glass, and I let out a faint breath through my nose, a small, almost amused reaction slipping through. I had just seen one of those at school earlier, and for a second, it felt like a strange coincidence.
I leaned forward in my chair—
Voices echoed from the hallway.
“I just finished putting the final touches on the proposal, Mr. Montgomery,” Greg was saying. “I made sure the clause about the youth shelter was included this time.”
“Please, Greg,” another voice replied, deep and smooth, followed by a quiet laugh. “You can call me David. I get enough of the ‘Mr. Montgomery’ from my publisher.”
“I’ll try to remember that,” Greg said. “Old habits.”
“I’ll forgive you,” the man replied. “Did you remember to pick up your foster son from school?”
“Of course,” Greg said. “He’s in my office.”
“That poor kid,” the man said lightly. “You brought him to a lawyer’s office? Next time, just call me. I’ve got a sixteen-year-old who could babysit.”
“Well,” Greg said as their footsteps slowed outside the door, “let’s just hope you’re the one who needs the babysitter.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“You’ll see.”
The door opened, and Greg stepped in first with an easy familiarity, already turning slightly as if he were continuing the conversation. The man followed just behind him, tall and composed, dressed neatly, but the details didn’t stick. My attention shifted almost instantly—locked, pulled—onto the boy at his side.
He had blond hair, lighter than mine, catching the light just enough to stand out, and his head was tilted down toward his phone, completely unaware of anything else in the room. For a split second, nothing felt real. Then my chest tightened so suddenly it almost hurt, and my breath caught halfway in like something inside me had forgotten how to finish it.
It was like looking at myself—but not exactly. Like a reflection that had been altered just enough to feel wrong and right at the same time. Something deep in my chest pulled hard in response, a force I didn’t understand but couldn’t ignore.
Neither of them noticed me at first. Greg stepped forward, the man just behind him, everything moving normally—until it didn’t. The man’s gaze shifted, almost absentmindedly, scanning the room before landing on me.
Everything about him stopped.
His posture locked. His expression froze mid-thought. Even his breathing faltered, and I could see the exact second it happened—the moment something impossible registered.
His breath hitched sharply.
“Zyan?”
The name broke out of him, unsteady and fragile, like it wasn’t meant to be spoken aloud.
My heart slammed against my ribs.
Greg’s voice came a second later, quieter. “No, David. It’s not a trick.”
David didn’t seem to hear him. He took a step forward without realizing it, his eyes locked on me like I might disappear if he looked away.
“Kyan,” he said, his voice tightening as his hand came down on the boy’s shoulder. “Look up.”
The boy frowned slightly, annoyed at first, but he lifted his head—and froze the second his eyes met mine. Bright blue. Identical. Recognition moved through him in layers—confusion, disbelief, then something deeper that mirrored exactly what was tearing through me.
“What the—” he started, but the words fell apart.
I didn’t remember deciding to stand. One second I was sitting, the next I was on my feet, my phone slipping from my hand onto Greg’s desk as I stepped forward. My legs felt unsteady, like they didn’t belong to me, but I moved anyway.
Tears blurred my vision.
I didn’t understand how this was happening. I didn’t understand why.
But I knew them.
I knew them.
The certainty hit just as hard as the confusion.
Memories crashed into me all at once—too fast to separate, too sharp to hold. A voice reading softly in the dark. Arms wrapped around me. A hand brushing my hair back. A voice telling me I was safe. Telling me I was loved.
I had felt that before.
I had lived that before.
My chest tightened painfully as I stepped closer, the space between us shrinking even as the room tilted around me. Kyan stared at me like I wasn’t supposed to exist, like I had stepped out of something impossible, and I knew that same thought was mirrored in my own expression.
I raised my hand without thinking, reaching toward him as if that alone would make it real. My fingers trembled in the space between us as the edges of my vision darkened.
Everything felt distant.
But one thought cut through everything.
I found him.
The moment it settled, my legs gave out beneath me, and the world dropped away into nothing.