Kevin clenched his fists, ready to retort, but the moment he saw Elena's expression, his resolve softened. A deep sigh escaped him, his frustration dissipating in the face of her worry. It wasn't just concern for his wife, though; something far more complex was at play. They had given him a room on the first floor, where he was to stay until his memories returned. But Kevin wasn't sure he wanted those memories to come back—not after the events of that night.
The young man, John, was a mystery wrapped in simplicity. Elena was smitten by his gentle demeanor and innocence, but Kevin saw beyond that. After what had happened, he couldn't afford to let his guard down. The incident had been terrifying, something that still sent shivers down his spine whenever he thought about it.
The Federation would have been the logical place to report this—a rare case of such magnitude couldn't go unnoticed. But Kevin hesitated. Despite his admiration for the Federation and his desire to one day join its ranks, he knew their protocols too well. Reporting a case of this nature meant risking Elena's safety. Lower-level Federation members weren't always as thorough or trustworthy as they should be, and an improper action on their part could endanger her.
No, Kevin thought. He wouldn't risk it. He didn't distrust the Federation, per se—he respected them. Their rigorous procedures, like the mandatory lie detector test for any significant report, were put in place to weed out false claims. But this situation was too delicate, too personal. He couldn't let them mishandle it.
So, he waited for his father's response. His father held a high position within the Federation, one that came with influence and discretion. If anyone could handle this situation correctly, it would be him. Days turned into weeks as Kevin grew increasingly anxious. His father's silence gnawed at him, a slow build of tension that wouldn't let go.
On the other hand, Elena was handling the situation in her own way. She had taken a liking to John's simplicity and elegance. His cluelessness about their world, their culture, and the Federation intrigued her. She had started teaching him about the intricacies of their society, guiding him through the basics of life in this sector of the galaxy. But there were limits to what she could teach him, and that worried her.
One evening, she decided to bring her concerns to Kevin. "I don't know what to do with him," she admitted softly. "He seems like a gentle, kind person. But there's so much about him we don't know."
Kevin sighed, this time with more weariness than before. "Don't be fooled by his appearance, Elena. Sure, he's harmless now, but we don't know what he'll do once he regains his memory. He could be dangerous."
He remembered the chilling moment that night—the sight of the mysterious coffin, the look in John's eyes as if something deep and ancient stirred within him. That gaze had unsettled Kevin in a way he couldn't explain. He shuddered at the memory.
As the days dragged on, Kevin's worries deepened. With no word from his father, he felt like they were standing on the edge of an abyss. Every day that passed without answers only increased his anxiety. Meanwhile, Elena's bond with John grew stronger. She spent more and more time with him, teaching him about the world, about the Federation, about life in general.
It wasn't that Elena didn't worry about Kevin's father or the growing silence. She did, but something about being around John made her forget all her anxieties. His presence, with its simple and unassuming nature, had a calming effect on her. She didn't see the potential danger Kevin saw—she saw someone lost and confused, someone who needed guidance.
Kevin, however, couldn't shake the feeling that they were living with a ticking time bomb. He watched John closely, never letting his guard down. He had to keep an eye on him. After all, this incident, if handled properly, could earn him military merit and elevate his standing. But he couldn't act too hastily. Reporting it to the wrong person in the Federation might lead to disastrous consequences for Elena.
He admired the Federation, believed in their cause. But he was also aware of their strict protocols. Any report that was deemed to be of interest required the reporter to undergo a lie detector test, as they didn't want to waste time on rumors or false alarms. And while Kevin had nothing to hide, he wasn't ready to subject this incident to their scrutiny—not yet. Not until he knew for certain what John really was.
The waiting, the uncertainty, weighed heavily on Kevin. And as more time passed, the divide between him and Elena seemed to grow. She saw hope in John, while he saw a potential threat. But without answers, without his father's guidance, all Kevin could do was watch, wait, and hope that when the time came to act, he would make the right decision.
In the stillness of the night, as the stars glittered through the windows of their home, Kevin stared at the ceiling, wondering what the future held for them all.