As Toby was helping Levi clear out the debris, Elias, Allen, Jordan, Christina and Yuri came racing into the neighborhood.
Jordan came to a stop and caught him up on everything.
The knights of Vanguard came to assist after Ranger told them about the situation. The leader of Phoenix was dead.
And now something was up with Elias's mom.
Toby saw an older man race by, possibly Elias's father. Toby squeezed Jordan's shoulder. "Thanks. Jay's up and he's asking for you."
Toby wanted to see what was wrong with Elias's mom, but he felt as though he'd be intruding on a private moment.
Instead, he turned back toward the bunker.
Levi was helping the survivors they saved climb out of the bunker. His little sister was sitting on the ground, picking at the grass. Other kids were wandering around as though they were lost.
Most of their parents had been killed or captured.
Toby spotted a little boy standing away from the others with his arms wrapped around him.
Toby cautiously approached him. "Hi. I'm Toby."
The boy stared up at him before taking a step back, eyes wide.
"Woah. I'm not here to hurt you, promise. Here." Toby removed his weapons and crouched in front of the kid. "Better? I know you're scared. We all are."
The boy blinked. "You...You're scared?"
"Yeah."
"I thought big kids were fearless." the boy whispered. "You weren't acting scared."
"Well," Toby shrugged, "Big kids aren't fearless. I'm a big kid and I have plenty of fears. I may not have looked scared because I had to hide those feelings. But I...I was pretty scared."
The boy nodded like he understood and stumbled toward him, Toby opened his arms and gave him a hug.
"My name is Christopher."
Toby ruffled his hair. "That's a cool name. Have you any other family?"
"I don't know."
Toby lifted him up. "I want you to meet someone. Is that alright?"
Christopher nodded.
.....
Alpha is dead.
Alpha is his father.
Elias stared at his mom, jaw open. Paul had the same expression.
"Why didn't you tell me?" Elias rasped. "Why wait until now?"
Paul shook his head and left the house, slamming the door. Elias didn't look away from the woman who had given him life, raised him, and taught him right from wrong.
That's what a mother does.
"Why?" Elias demanded.
Amanda licked her lips. "I wanted to tell you, I did. I just didn't know how. I love-"
"Do you, though?" Elias flinched. "I don't think you even understand what the meaning of the word is." Elias tried to take a step toward her, but Allen grabbed his arm. "I HATE YOU!"
"Elias-" Allen whispered.
"Don't you dare defend her!" Elias snapped, wrenching from his grip.
"Elias. I did it to protect-" Amanda started.
Elias whirled. "Did you? What of Paul, who wasn't even your husband? Did you do it to protect him too, Amanda?" he wiped angrily at his face. "You manipulated him and lied to us both."
Elias stormed toward the door, flinging it open. He bit back a sob before he ran out.
He ran until he reached the downtown park. He didn't expect to see anyone there, but to his surprise, Toby was there playing with a young boy.
Elias stood there, memories of him and Paul running through the park flashed through his mind. He collapsed on a bench and covered his mouth to muffle a scream.
Toby'd head jerked in his direction. He said something to the boy before he ran over.
"Hey, what's wrong?" Toby cupped his face in his hands. "Love, talk to me."
Elias sniffled and buried his face in Toby's shoulder, his tears soaking his shirt.
"I'm fine."
Toby kissed his forehead. "You don't want to talk about it?"
Elias shook his head. "But you can do one thing for me." he lifted his head.
"Yeah?" Toby leaned toward him. "And what's that?"
"Kiss me."
And Toby did just that, pulling him close and running his hands though his hair. Elias moaned against his mouth.
Finally he was home.