Chapter 3

After resting for fifteen minutes, which actually turned into twenty, I sat down with Lok still on top.

-Well Lok, I have to put something in the car, do you stay here watching TV or help me?

-Do I help you! Do I help you!

Lok got off me and the sofa, but this time he wasn't as lucky as when he got off my bed and ended up on the floor, at first nothing happened, but after a few seconds Lok started crying, I sighed and picked him up in my arms, I tried to calm him down as he grabbed the bag with the seat and went to the garage where the car was. I put the bag on the ground and opened the back door, I left Lok inside hiccupping a little while I opened the box and took out the chair and the instructions on how to place it and gave them to Lok, he looked at them without understanding anything, and did not I blame them, they were in German, and well, he can't read. When I finally managed to get the chair out of all the packaging I brought it I put it in the car and asked Lok for the instructions, Lok gave them to me and I could see a droopy corner, I looked at Lok with a raised eyebrow and he laughed, I started to read the instructions, it made me very funny to see that there were several words highlighted in bold and capital letters and twice the size of the rest, I suppose that will be the things where people make the most mistakes, such as "DO NOT put the right seat behind the driver, as it made it difficult to monitor the minor "

While I was trying to hook the seat securely, Lok held the instructions so that I could read them without putting them in his mouth. In the end I managed to secure the chair to the seat, and although it seems crazy, it was a great victory, and just as exhausting as fighting the Organization, why is everything related to children so exhausting? Anyway, now that Lok had a special car seat, he could go shopping, but Lok didn't quite agree, he didn't like the idea of sitting in the seat, and how do I know? Because he got angry, he turned his back on me and his answer was "no" all the time, he tried to stay calm all the time, but it was not easy, in the end I opted for what Sophie does every time she wants Lok to accompany her to the library to load the books, negotiation.

-Listen Lok, do you know where we are going to go?

-No- Lok still didn't look at me and had his arms crossed, or rather an attempt to cross his arms.

-We are going to go to a large shopping center where there is a supermarket and many more shops.- Lok looked at me a little, it seemed that now he was interested more.- If you behave well I will give you a surprise.

Lok looked at me with wide eyes, he stopped turning his back to me and agreed to sit in the car seat. After checking five times that it was securely fastened in its seat I closed the door and sat in the driver's seat, I looked in the rear view mirror and made sure that Lok was okay, Lok was examining the chair and it seems that he found it from his pleased, he leaned back and relaxed. Lok looked really small sitting in his chair, his feet barely reaching the edge of the seat. Once I made sure Lok was comfortable in his chair, I started driving towards the nearest shopping center.

The drive was nice, Lok was entertaining looking out the window. When we got to the mall, I looked for a parking lot near the entrance, I didn't feel like lugging my groceries and watching Lok for a while. I got one right in front of one of the entrances, I noticed that Lok got nervous when he saw me get out of the car, but he was very happy when I opened his door and started to remove the safety straps, and he was ecstatic when I took him out of the car and put it on the ground, I'm sure if I hadn't been shaking hands I would have run off to who knows where.

When we entered inside I was in a panic, it was full of people everywhere, but an excessive amount of people, a crowd in which Lok could disappear and get lost and / or someone could take him away, immediately after having those thoughts I lifted Lok in arms, at first he seemed confused and asked me to put it down, when I told him I did not frown, he puffed up his cheeks and tried to cross his arms. I carried an angry child to our first stop, a large children's store, where I had bought his clothes yesterday. As the clothes were too big for him, he had to return the ones he had bought for him, and he also needed some more things, I thought it should be the first stop. The first thing I did was look at the clothes and try to choose something that could serve him and also that he liked. I came to the conclusion that he did not like it at all because he was angry for not leaving it on the ground, also he was going to need both hands to carry the clothes and be able to keep looking, I looked around and saw that there were not many people so that I left Lok on the ground with the condition of not leaving me and we continue looking at clothes now with more collaboration on his part.

When I had a considerable amount of clothes of different sizes to see which one would suit him he was going to go to one of the fitting rooms, I reached down to grab Lok's, and discovered that Lok had disappeared. I looked around alarmed expecting to see him, but I had no luck, I started walking through the store looking for Lok and analysing all the people trying to see if someone would take him or if someone was potentially dangerous. He was desperate, he had just got it back, he couldn't lose it again. I was in the toy section and I entered the corridor of the stuffed animals, I felt my body relax and my lungs get air again when I saw Lok sitting on the floor, I approached him in a matter of seconds, he was scared little when I pick him up.

-Lok, you can't go! I told you to stay by my side!

-Sorry.

Lok hiccupped and there were tears forming at the edge of his eyes, I pressed him against my chest and hugged him as tightly as I could.

-Sorry Lok, I didn't want to yell at you, but you scared me. Don't go away again, okay?

Lok nodded, although he was still a little scared, I noticed that Lok was hugging a teddy, he gently took it off and examined it, it was a black dragon, with red eyes and large wings, Lok stretched one of his little hands to give him back the stuffed animal, I didn't think it was a bad idea, after all, I had come to buy him clothes and a toy, I handed him the stuffed animal and Lok hugged him again. Now we did go to the fitting rooms, this time Lok did not protest, nor did he resist me to change his clothes, he was too entertained with the teddy and did not care about the rest. After a long time trying on clothes I managed to find something that fit well, when leaving the changing rooms I placed the selected clothes in a basket and went to the toys section, although Lok did not seem to care about the other toys in the store, select some that I thought that he might like, like some wooden blocks, a simple car, and definitely bath toys, which consisted of a family of rubber ducks. I also bought a pacifier, bottles and a parenting book as I had no idea how to properly care for a two year old. With the basket full I went to pay and return what I did not need, I recognize that the clerk has merit, he managed to put everything in two bags and that it did not weigh any, although Lok did not accept that he kept the teddy in a bag and insisted on carrying it himself, in fact, I almost couldn't get him to drop it for the boy to collect it.

Even though the bags were light, it seemed more reasonable to go back to the car and leave them in the trunk and thus be able to do the shopping more comfortably. The first thing I did when entering the supermarket was to look for a cart of those that has a folding seat, they had always seemed a bit stupid, but now I found them very practical. Lok looked around from her seat while hugging the stuffed dragon, she liked to examine everything she picked up and tried to put in the car, it seemed that everything was to her liking, except the vegetables, she did not want vegetables in the car. However, he got excited and jumped on the seat when we entered the aisle of chocolate and cookies, he wanted one of each, obviously he did not get it, he got several types of cookies and pastries but he planned to ration it very well so that they would last and not got sick, in addition, the adolescent Lok had a lot of energy so he was sure that the mini Lok would have much more, so a shot of sugar should not be a good thing, for anyone.

When we finished shopping I was really surprised, the last time I remembered making such a large and expensive purchase was when I was a preteen living with Mezt, he told me that he would make a large purchase so that he would not have to come back for another one or two weeks later, right now I understand why, having to go every day with a child is not easy. I was also surprised at how expensive some children's products are. The journey back home was just as pleasant as the outward journey, only now I had to think about how I was going to put all the bags at home and also keep an eye on Lok, by the time we got home I decided that I would put the food and later the toys, I would have to take several trips to put all the bags, I just hoped that Lok would listen to me and follow me inside the house. Surprisingly everything went well, Lok came in and followed me inside the house without any problem, I took the first couple of bags and left them in the kitchen, then I left Lok sitting on the sofa and went back to the car to get the rest of things Once all the bags with the food were in the kitchen, I started putting everything in the cupboards and in the fridge. Lok kindly and with good intention offered to help me, but the problem is that he was not getting anywhere so he could not put anything away, in the end I sat him on the table and he was in charge of taking the things out of the bags.

It had been quite fun, just like in the supermarket, Lok examined everything he was taking out of the bags and did not give it to me until he had his approval, needless to say, luckily I throw all the vegetables on the floor even in their bags . I sighed satisfied when all the bags were done and all the food was stored in their place, I got Lok off the table so he wouldn't fall, I started cooking, between resting, installing the chair and shopping it was already two in the afternoon and we had to eat. This was another learning moment for me, discovering that cooking with a small child wandering around the kitchen and wanting to gossip about it was not easy, nor was it safe, the third time I almost threw Lok the pan where he was making the tomato for the cannelloni, I decided to keep him busy, and since TV had been problematic in the morning I went back to the car and got out the toys and pacifier. Immediately Lok wanted the car, I was amused that he referred to it as "brum-brum". I took it out of the box and unpacked it and gave it to Lok to play. As I finished cooking my living room turned into a racetrack, every now and then I would peek into the room to make sure there were no obstacles in the circuit that would endanger or harm Lok. Definitely after eating I had to make sure that no room was dangerous for Lok, I did not want the incident this morning to be repeated, it had been very dangerous, instead of the table and the pot could have been Lok who fell down the stairs, it should keep the rooms safe and out of harm's way, I didn't want to have another heart attack.

When the food was ready I served it on two plates and set the table, then I went to the living room and looked for Lok, he was lying on the floor playing with the stuffed dragon and the car, I think they were having an epic battle. When I told him it was time to eat he left the car pulled and caught the dragon and came towards me. As Lok was very small in his chair there was a pile of books on which I sat him, now it reached the table and it was much easier for him to eat. After lunch ... I would like to say quiet, but no, it was tasty, but not quiet, Lok threw the glass of water twice, luckily one of the times it was empty, he stained his clothes with the cannelloni bolognese and broke the plate when trying to get off the pile of books, and also fell to the ground and began to cry, in short, a tasty lunch.

I left Lok sitting on the couch playing with his dragon while I cleaned up the kitchen and cleaned everything up. When everything was ready I returned to the living room. Lok seemed anxious, he raised his arms and I picked him up, he clung to me tightly and rested his head on my shoulder, he did not understand what was happening to him, but he did not want me to let go. Resigned, I carried Lok to look for the book I had bought and then I returned to the living room and sat on the sofa, Lok settled into my lap and supported his face against my chest while he sucked on the pacifier, I supported my hand on his back and with the another I started reading the book. It didn't take long for Lok to fall asleep, at first I thought it was due to exhaustion from all morning, and that it would be a problem because later he would not want to sleep at night, but I read in the book that he was just taking a nap and that I would normally do it after lunch. The book seemed wonderful to me, I learned a lot of things, now it only remained to put the theory into practice.

Lok was in high spirits after his nap, he had a lot of energy and a desire to play. With the wooden blocks we built a mini circular circuit for the car, Lok spent a great amount of time circling the car around the circuit while making a lot of noises, he was so entertained that he did not claim my attention until an hour later. We spent the rest of the afternoon playing hide and seek in the living room, since it was the only room that I had made sure was safe. In the end the day had been quite entertaining and very exhausting, although the hardest part was getting Lok to sleep, he was determined to stay awake as long as possible. When I got tired of chasing Lok around the house I remembered when I was little, the first nights I spent with Mezt after he took me in, I didn't want to sleep, and I also gave poor Mezt problems, I also remembered the solution .

-Lok, if you go to bed now I'll tell you a story.

Lok came out of hiding, wherever he was, and came to me hesitantly.

-Really?

I took Lok in my arms and carried him to bed, once wrapped up I sat next to him and started to tell him the story of Peter Pan, Lok fell asleep before Peter Pan could appear. I stared at how he slept again, I was still afraid that he would disappear. I got up slowly so as not to make noise and left his room, it was still early for me so I went to my office, I looked through my books for one that could help me, the symbol that Lok had on his arm had to mean something, and I was determined to find out, besides, there had to be some way to bring Lok back to his normal age. Shortly after I started investigating Kipering shine from his place at the table, I had forgotten about him with everything that was happening, I picked him up and left the office and went back to Lok's room, he was sleeping soundly, I sneaked up and left him. Kiperin on the bedside table, it glowed for a few moments and then it turned off, I was a bit scared as I didn't want Lok to wake up, luckily nothing happened and he continued to sleep peacefully. I took advantage of the fact that I was fast asleep to cut the tag on the teddy, since during the day Lok would not lose sight of it and he did not like me to take it off.

The rest of the week was pure learning, I read in the book that babies have or should have a schedule, so Lok would get up at the same time every day, and that was the first thing I needed to find out, every day I woke up half an hour before the previous one. On the third day I discovered that Lok woke up at seven in the morning, unfortunately, the previous two days I could not protect my house from the scribbles on the wall, where did he get the markers? I did not know. Like any child, Lok loved to go to the park to play, so we would go after breakfast and come back to eat, then Lok would take a nap and I would take the opportunity to investigate and find information. The first day I tried to put him to bed in his room, but he always got up and looked for me, the fourth time he got up and went down the stairs, or rather, he almost fell down the stairs, I gave up and let him sleep in the room where I was, but that was so little to his liking, Lok liked to sleep on me. Some days I would also sleep lying on the couch with Lok on top, and other days I would investigate while Lok slept on my lap and close to my chest. I figured Ethan had to do it when Lok was little, napping always with him on top, luckily this custom hadn't carried over to nights and Lok was able to sleep alone in his own room, except for one day, Lok fell from the bed and he started crying, and he didn't stop until I put him in my bed. After that I made a barrier with cushions on both sides so that it wouldn't fall over again.

In the afternoons we played various things, in addition, little by little the living room of my house became the play area and was filled with children's items. I expanded the range of toys with some 4-5 piece children's puzzles, Disney movies and children's stories. He had also chosen to give him the pacifier mainly when he went to sleep, in the car or when he cried, rarely the rest of the time, he did not want to make him addicted to the pacifier.

With food Lok was like any child, he adored sweets and hated vegetables. Another thing I discovered is that Lok was not a very crying baby, obviously he cried most of the times when he fell, but most of the time he was a happy and smiling baby, also, after the first tantrum he had not had more, but yes, he had a bad temper and liked to rebel against the rules, I came to the conclusion that Lok spent his adolescence at this age and not when he was a teenager. I also learned that Lok did not like people yelling and he did not like him, he got scared and started crying. Another thing Lok couldn't bear was people, including me, taking his stuffed dragon from him, taking it everywhere, and he couldn't bear being without it.

Lok was also learning, one of the main things he was teaching him was not to paint on the walls, the hallway had been badly damaged. Another thing I was teaching him that I wanted him to learn soon was to obey and not run off without my supervision, although I was barely able to do so when Lok was his normal age.

Bath time was quite fun, Lok loved the water and splashing, although thanks to the rubber ducks the water no longer ended everywhere, only on me.

Every night after his nightly bottle and putting him to bed, I would sit on Lok's bed and watch him sleep, I was still afraid that the next morning he wouldn't be there. And that idea terrified me, even though Lok was still there every morning.

Today was quite a hot day, so hot that he had put a short-sleeved shirt on Lok, long enough to cover the tattoo on his shoulder. I was sitting on the living room floor, Lok was standing painting on a sheet of paper on the coffee table with a few coloured pencils that he had found around my house, I still didn't know where he had gotten the markers, but I think for the moment they are over.

-Very good Lok, it is painted on the paper and not on the wall.

I was not very convinced that Lok was listening to me, he was very focused on what he was doing. The bell rang, Lok was startled a little but after looking at me he continued with what he was doing, I woke up surprised, I was not expecting a visit and had not asked for anything. I opened the door and froze where I was, this was not what I expected, or at least not so soon ... who am I kidding I had completely forgotten.

-Hi Dante.

-Mezt ... what are you doing here?

-I told you I would come to see you.

-Yes, but I wasn't expecting you so soon.

-I decided to advance my visit so that you could not escape.- Mezt studied me from top to bottom-You look better than I expected, on the phone you feel pretty bad.

-A lot of things have happened that right now I don't know how to explain.

-Dante, we have to talk ...

-Dante! Dante! Look!

Lok came running towards me with the scribbled paper and the dragon. When he saw Mezt he stood where he was and shuffled to hide behind me and looked at Mezt from behind my leg curiously. Mezt instead looked at Lok with wide eyes.

-Mezt, I can explain it to you

-Dante you don't have to explain anything to me, you felt basic and you adopted a child.

-That's not even close to reality.- I looked at Lok and stroked his hair. -Lok, say hello to Uncle Mezt."

-Hello!

He believed that Mezt ignored him, because when I stopped paying attention to Lok I saw that Mezt had his gaze focused on me, a really angry look I felt like he was going to eat me at any moment. I picked up Lok in my arms when I noticed that he was getting nervous, I invited Mezt to come in and led him to the living room, after looking at everything he sat on the sofa, I took the opportunity while he studied the room to retrieve one of the books that I had bought Lok, when Mezt sat down, before he could react I had already put Lok on his lap and gave him the book. Mezt glared at me, but his attention was focused on Lok. I left the room and went to the kitchen to make some tea, while the water was heating I went to my office and took the DNA analysis with both photocopies, I also took Kiperin and went back to the kitchen for tea.

In the living room Mezt was reading the story to Lok and it seemed that Lok was enjoying it very much. I remembered from my childhood that Mezt was an expert at telling stories, even if it was the dirtiest of all, he was able to make it seem like an incredible adventure. I put the tea on the table and sat next to Mezt, he looked at me seriously and with a frown, Lok was playing with the book.

-You're done?

-It's a five-page Dante.

-Okay-I sighed scared-I know what you're going to say and no, I'm not crazy.

-Really? Because it's just what it seems.

-I know, I know, but listen ...

-No, I don't know where you got this child from, but we're going to go to the police and deliver him, social services will take care of him.

-What?

-Dante, this has gone too far. I'm looking for your help and it's over.

-Mezt, it's not what you think, it cost me too ... well not really, but I know it's shocking. This real boy is Lok.

-Enough!

I immediately fell down, but as soon as Mezt screamed Lok started to cry, Mezt tried to calm him by rolling him a little in his lap, but Lok was scared and reached out for me to pick him up and take him with me desperate. Despite Mezt's menacing gaze, I scooped my student off his lap and sat him on mine as I hugged and cradled him a bit. Neither of us had noticed, but as we talked, little by little we raised our voice until Mezt ended up screaming and this had happened. I put the pacifier on Lok and rocked him until he calmed down, wiped his little face and moved his dragon close to him to distract him from the whole situation.

-On the table you have a DNA analysis and two photocopies, one of the samples is from this child and the other belongs to Lok's sample from the Huntik foundation database. Look at them and tell me what you see.

Mezt did as I asked, and after examining both photocopies for a moment he straightened up and looked at me again.

-They look… identical.

-They match 100%

-It is impossible…

-Mezt look at him- I loosen my hug a bit so that Lok was not so covered by my arms- he looks like him.

-That I realized as soon as I saw him.

-Also- I lifted Lok's sleeve and I showed him the tattoo-It's the same tattoo that Lok had when I found him in the sect. - I took Kiperin out of my pocket and brought him closer to Lok, he immediately glowed again- And all his titans have awakened.

After that we were silent again, Mezt needed to process the information and I gave him the time he needed, while paying attention to Lok. He had taken off his jacket and was trying to reach Kiperin, but knowing his tendency to put everything in his mouth, I kept him at a safe distance keeping Kiperin safe from the drool, the poor titan had already been drool on previous occasions and if he returned to allow I'm sure he wouldn't forgive me.

-How old are you?

- I think two years.

-He's too young to be two years old.

-It's the age he told me he was, and Lok told me once that he had always been little.

-AHA. -Mezt leaned over to pick up Lok- Come on, let me get it.

Dude, Mezt had already scared Lok and he didn't seem happy about the idea of going with Mezt, still, I let him grab it and wait for his reaction. Lok showed his displeasure immediately he began to moan, pout and squirm on Mezt's lap, and glare at me, betrayal clear in his eyes. I tried to reach it again, but Mezt stopped me and started bouncing Lok again causing him to calm down a bit.

-And the doctor who said?- I did not answer. -Dante, have you taken him to be checked?

-No, and it's not that I can. Technically Lok isn't mine, I don't have his custody.

-Dante, you technically kidnapped him, but you could have taken him to a doctor.

-Of course, and how do I explain that a baby has a tattoo?

After that Mezt did not bring up the subject again and we spent a while talking about Lok and the Huntik foundation, I also took the opportunity to ask him about my team. Mezt updated me on the current situation, although he did not feel like talking much, since, according to him, he was on vacation. Well, in the end we decided, rather Mezt decided, that tomorrow we would have a picnic like the ones we did when I was little and without expecting it, I was in the garage giving instructions to Mezt on how to take care of Lok, the things he liked and the things no, what he did and where he could find diapers. During the conversation about the picnic I confessed that I had nothing to make a picnic in conditions, Mezt suggested that we go to buy, at first I refused since going shopping with Lok was a bit tiring, and I was still afraid of places with many people, he kept thinking that someone would try to take him away so he used to avoid taking Lok to crowded places. But nothing happened, Mezt had a solution for all my problems and in the end, I made myself home and he stayed with Lok. I didn't feel comfortable with the situation, I knew that Mezt wouldn't hurt him, but I couldn't help being worried, I couldn't bear the idea of something happening to him while I'm away, again. The worst of all was the feeling I had, I left while Lok cried desperately from Mezt's arms, for he was leaving him with a stranger who screamed and scared him. I trusted Mezt and I knew he could handle the situation, I know for sure that Mezt is more capable than me to take care of a baby, and that Lok would be safe, but this feeling was something that I had never felt, I just wanted to finish shopping quickly to come back home.

I tried to take as little time as possible and without forgetting anything because if not Mezt would force me to return. When I got home, everything was calm and quiet and that scared me a little. Leave the groceries in the kitchen and look around the house for Mezt. I found them on the back porch of the house, Mezt was sitting on the wooden bench with Lok on his lap and wrapped in a blanket.

-Hi, what are you doing here? - I sat next to Mezt, I tried to take Lok in my arms but he refused.

-Not!

-Not?

-I think he's angry with you for leaving him with a stranger to go buy your vices.

-My addiction? I remind you that it was you who ...

-Quiet-Mezt began to laugh-was joking. But he is mad at you.

-I see that. What have you done while I was gone?

-Well, we've been looking around the house, right Lok?- Lok nodded. A chill ran through me and I shifted restlessly in my place.

-What's up?

-Great, I realized that it is a miracle that Lok is alive.

-Mezt, I'm not inept, I know something about babysitting.

-Yes of course. You don't have a crib or a highchair, that pile of books is dangerous.

-It's not that bad.

-Really? Lok told me he fell twice. Also, the stairs are not secured like the rooms. And I don't even ask what happened in the hall.

-Thank you.

-It has been strange having to change her diaper.

-Tell me.

We stayed on the bench for a while longer, Metz kept scolding me for all the things that I lacked in the baby house and the lack of security in the rest of the rooms other than the living room, and of course the lack of protective fence on the stairs to prevent it from falling off. I take this opportunity to recommend that Lok buy one of those sucker hooks, since Lok had a bad habit of taking off his jacket and pulling as far as he could. Also, apparently, while he was away from home Lok told Mezt all the falls he had had.

When it began to get dark Lok demanded that I take him and his bottle for the night. Once Lok was in bed, Mezt and I talked about our picnic tomorrow and I raised the idea of going back to Venice, but change the subject as soon as possible. Going home was something that I had already considered, but I could not suddenly arrive and present myself as if nothing had happened.

The next morning I fell asleep, the alarm didn't go off, and I woke up at noon. When I was aware of this fact, I got up alarmed and ran to Lok's room, when I saw the empty bed I had a heart attack, I felt my heart jump out of my chest in panic. I ran down the stairs wishing that Lok had not fallen and entered the kitchen, at that moment I felt my heart leave my chest again, but I no longer had to keep running. Mezt was looking at me in amusement with Lok in his arms. They were both dressed for the picnic, on the table was the backpack with the things we might need for Lok, there was another empty backpack, but on the table was the food that I had bought yesterday for the picnic.

-Good afternoon, Dante.

-Yes, whatever you say.- When Lok saw me he extended his arms towards me and I took it from Mezt, repositioning it in my arms- Can I ask what happened?

-Lok had a bad awakening and woke me up with his crying. Take advantage of the fact that I was awake to take care of him and turn off the alarm clock so you could rest. But I didn't think you would get up so late, I had time to prepare things for the picnic.

Mezt pointed to the empty backpack and then began to fill it with all the food, when it was full, he closed it and placed it next to Lok's bag. Lok was very happy after his morning with Mezt and he was telling me through some words and babbling and sounds what they had done, which turned out to be playing with the toy car and making constructions with the blocks, Mezt translated for me what Lok said and he told me that Lok is a fan of destroying buildings.