The road back home was a really tough one. Everyone knew that even though they did give a strong strike against Victoria, it's still far from over.
She could continue to use the cells to make more zombies, and that was really dangerous. They had to find her at all costs. With the chip, that may be possible, but it would also take some time.
"I need to explain to Dad why you went missing for several days." Harker remembered.
Chloe just shrugged. "You said it was for a special research thing, right? Just tell him that I got curious and followed you. You don't have to take the fall all the time."
"And how do I explain those marks on your neck, then?" Harker pointed out. " And I always have to take the fall. I'm your big brother."
Chloe scoffed. "You are not responsible for my life."
"As an adult, of course I am!"
His sister crossed her arms. "Does that mean that as an adult, you just have to keep lying to 'protect' me? You're going to lie to Dad and the boys to 'protect' them? Take things to your own hands and keep all these secrets forever?"
"Yes! Exactly!" Harker exclaimed. "Because that's what adults do!"
"No! That's not what you should do!"
Chloe smacked her forehead. "Harker, none of the zombie stuff was your fault. But many things could have been avoided had you told me things. Like the fact that you are a shapeshifter now blessed by some demon, and that you're trying to gain some Shards to be human again. How can you seriously hide that from your sister???"
Yes, Harker had no choice but to tell Chloe everything as well. Of course, he left out the same things he did for Roland and Mina. Which was the specific details of the system, Yan's Master Quan Zhi, and....
The power that the Shards truly hold. The power to change reality itself.
Simply telling them about how it could turn him into a human would be enough. Because for one, he doesn't know for sure if Yan was telling the truth about the Orb of Omniscience's powers of exaggerating it to get him to look for it. Quan Zhi had it, and yet he still died.
On the other hand, if it was true….. Learning about that amount of power alone would be dangerous in itself.
When that knowledge gets into the wrong hands, they could turn Earth upside down and use it for evil. Harker would much rather if the Orb was never found at all than for it to have a cruel master that will destroy his world.
This world that he cherishes, despite the many flaws.
He knows not many understand his mindset. Not many could say that they would give up power for simple and easy humanity. But for someone like Harker, that's all he had been waiting for.
To be human, to live a just and righteous life.
When he was a child, he was treated as a freak because of his appearance and his intelligence. He simply wanted to get along with people. And then he found his people, the ones that don't judge him.
Power does not matter as long as he gets to protect and stay with these people.
It was valid to hide these specific details, but Chloe does have a point about everything else. He had this for so long because he naively thought that gaining the Shards without involving anyone else would be easy.
"I just…. If I could settle this by myself, I will. That's just how I am." Harker said.
Lift your chin up and smile. That's what his mom always told him, and what she sees from her. Toughen up, never show them how you're struggling.
He would often see his Mom clasping her head from migraines due to so much exhaustion from teaching classes and also helping out in the community. But did she ever complain?
No. She stayed strong, because people relied on her.
And that was how Harker learned that when people rely on you, you would have to lie about certain things. That's just how it works.
"But you can't do this alone, Hark." Roland reminded him. "No one in this world could ever do things alone forever. That's why your family exists, why your friends exist."
Mina nodded. "You can rely on us too sometimes."
Harker looked at all three of them, and sighed.
Perhaps it was true. Parents weren't always right. There were things he can't just keep to himself and hide with a forced smile.
"Then…. I will tell Dad and the boys once this is over." Harker said. "I will tell them everything. Even about Mom, about the incident…. and myself."
Chloe exhaled in relief. "Finally... I get through that thick skull of yours, 'big brother'."
She unexpectedly went close to him and gave him a hug. Harker's breath hitched, and he hugged her back while letting himself be vulnerable and let his tears flow.
"We'll get through this as a family." She patted his back. "I know we can."
Harker sniffled. "You're right…."
Mina and Roland smiled at this beautiful moment between them. Once Harker and Chloe parted, they asked at the same time:
"Can we be part of your family too?"
Harker chuckled, pulling the two of them as well to create a group hug.
"Heck yeah!" Harker exclaimed. "I've always considered you too as part of my family too, no need to ask!"
Roland seemed pleased with this. "I'm honored as your appointed 'best bud'. And besides, one of us would have been part of the Jones family in the future anyway, if you guys had plans like that."
Mina elbowed him. "You think way too ahead, White Ape."
"Just saying, Fish Girl." Roland answered fondly.
Things didn't look as glum anymore once they had this talk. Trust was very important in facing any adversary, and one must fully put his trust in his allies to be victorious.
Which was something Victoria herself was very much aware of. She never worked alone.
In an underground passage leading to the mouth of a cave, she and her most trusted associates had escaped after days of traveling below the earth where the living roamed. Unable to see the sunlight, and merely following the path they have mastered like worms and insects do.
And once they have finally seen the sunlight, they also looked forward with hope to start anew with their own 'family'. A family that was formed in pursuit for knowledge and 'eternity'.
"We'll get through this." Victoria told them. "I know we can. Nothing can stop us…."
"Not even that Harker Jones."
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