Song: The Early November – From Here to L.A.

Heavy rains battered the car as the group neared Beaver Creek. Endless streaks of red and white light filtered in through the windows, distorted in the haze of the highway. Daniel had tried to keep napping since they'd crossed through Haven Point, but he found himself stirring in and out of sleep the entire way. He was still tired. He was still cold. He still felt a sense of prolonged bitterness at Sean. The way he'd been torn from anything resembling a normal life and forced out on the road made him angry. And yet, he couldn't help but feel guilty for leaving his brother behind—even if it had guaranteed his freedom in Mexico. Should I be mad at him, or more mad at myself? The downpour reminded him of all that time spent outside, huddling together for warmth. He could barely stand the rain anymore. The thought of being wrapped in a tarp again made him shiver down to the bone. Even worse, it made him lonely.

The car descended off the exit ramp and passed a green directional sign.

Beaver Creek 7 Miles

Williamsden 16 Miles

Springwater 26 Miles

"Almost home," the boy said, resting his head against the cold window. His heart was was beginning to pound. He wondered what Claire and Stephen must be thinking of him now. They still hadn't called back, and he was a little afraid to walk through the door. Would they still be nice? Or angry at him? He certainly wasn't in the mood to follow any more of his grandmother's stupid rules, especially after all he and Sean had been through. But for better or worse, federal agents would be breathing down his neck for quite some time. Even if it was only bi-weekly visits, he hated the thought of anyone getting up in his business. God, I just want to lie down in a warm bed for the rest of the day. Maybe a few days. Maybe even for the rest of my life. That sounded awesome right about now.

As the car at last arrived in Beaver Creek, Daniel took a good look around at some familiar and not-so-familiar sights. They passed by the tiny Christmas market, which was closed for the season. There was also a beer and liquor mini mart, a dusty old video rental store, a comic book and records shop, and a bargain clothing outlet from which Claire and Stephen had bought them some new outfits last time. He tried to acquaint himself with it all. This is my life now. Better get used to it. From Mantle Street, the car turned onto Evergreen, the main road on which the Reynolds lived. The young wolf closed his eyes and tried to stay calm.

"Still doing okay? You're almost home," Agent Parker said, distracting him.

"I guess. But they didn't even call back, did they? And I left them a few messages. What if they don't even want to see me?"

"You're their grandson, of course they want to see you."

"I don't know," Daniel sighed. "I'm just a little worried."

"Everything will be fine. We're here if you need backup."

"Thanks."

The rain had slowed to a gentle drizzle as the group pulled into the driveway behind Agent Flores. Parker turned off the car and the interior lights came on. He looked over at Michaels, then back to Daniel, who froze when their gaze met. There was a strange, sad look on the old man's face. He knew what Parker probably wanted to say, but he was glad he didn't say it, at least not yet. Goodbyes were always hard.

"You all ready to go?"

"Uh...this might sound weird, but not really. How do I even start my life here? A few days ago, I was with Sean, and now...I don't know. I just...wish he was here. I wish we could have stayed here to begin with. "

"I know you're scared to get back to real life," the man said. "And that's okay, it's completely normal. But I think once you've settled in and gotten used to things, you'll be a lot less worried. Trust me."

"Okay. Thanks. I trust you."

"Attaboy," Parker smiled, patting his knee. "Let's go."

Daniel threw on his hoodie and did his best to compose himself, sliding out of the seat while the two agents grabbed his bags out of the trunk. Agent Flores joined them at the side of the car with an umbrella, a clipboard tucked firmly to her chest. The young wolf was almost certain it was full of paperwork for him to sign, his grandparents to sign, and for them all to sign together. He expected a lot of legal lingo he didn't understand. The thought of that was a bit worse than the ones about whether or not they'd be glad to see him, but like all things from the past several days, it was a band-aid he hoped would get ripped off rather quickly. She gave him a reassuring nod, and the trio made their way up to the front porch. The lights in the dining room were on, as were the ones in the front hallway. Daniel's heart skipped a beat when Flores rang the bell. That, too, brought back memories.

"Just a moment," he heard Claire's voice call from inside. He crossed his fingers and hid off to the side. Please be glad to see me, please be glad to see me. A few seconds later, the door unlocked and swung open. The three agents stood their ground with Flores in front.

"Hello, Mrs. Reynolds? Special Agent Maria Flores, FBI," the woman said, flashing her badge.

"Oh no, is this about my grandsons?" Claire said, visibly shaken and clutching her chest. Before either of them could speak another word, Daniel hopped out and leapt into her arms, overcome with emotion.

"GRANDMA!" he yelled happily.

"Oh my goodness, Daniel!" she cried, falling to her knees with him. "I prayed for you and your brother every day, thank heaven you're home! It's so good to see you! You're safe and home now, my boy is home!" Claire hugged him tighter than he'd ever been hugged as tears of joy streamed down boy their faces. "They told me you were coming back, but I didn't want to believe it," she smiled, caressing his cheek.

"Wait, what?!" the boy said, glaring at Parker. "You said they didn't call back!"

"Figured it'd be a nice surprise," the man shrugged.

"Urgh," the boy groaned. "I guess it's fine. Hey Grandma, where's Stephen?"

"Oh geez, Stephen!" the woman called. Daniel grinned when he heard the faint sound of a train set whistle coming from the front office. "Your grandson is home!"

"Coming!" the old man called. A few seconds later, the office door opened. Stephen plodded over as fast as he could, though seemed to struggle. Daniel noticed a wooden cane in his hand when he arrived at the door. "Hey hey, Daniel!" he chuckled. The young boy leaned forward to hug him, taking care not to knock him over.

"Missed you, Grandpa."

"I missed you too, Danny boy." Stephen ruffled his hair and embraced him with one arm.

"Is your leg okay?"

"Oh that, of course! It's nothing," he assured him. "No need to worry about me, I'm still getting around. We had to move the train set into the office, but I find it's easier to work on downstairs." Once they'd all finished their heartfelt hellos, Daniel took a step back with the agents. Flores was beginning to look impatient.

"Um," Claire uttered with a sigh, adjusting her glasses. "I suppose you all must be very tired after your long few days on the road. And naturally...I assume there's both good news and bad news to be shared. Would you three like to join us in the dining room? I'll lay out some leftover pastries and get coffee started."

"That would be wonderful, Mrs. Reynolds," Flores nodded.

As the group entered the house and the door shut behind them, Daniel felt a shiver run down his spine. Even though his grandparents were both excited to see him, he was beginning to fear their opinion might quickly change once it was made clear to them what he and Sean had done, as well as the extent of any damage they'd caused. Claire certainly wouldn't take kindly to the story of them having worked on a pot farm, burnt down a church, demolished a section of federal property, and taken the lives of not just one, but several police officers. They also wouldn't be too happy to hear about their daughter being captured for arson, but then again, they probably already knew. From the chitchat coming from the kitchen between Agent Michaels and Claire, things didn't sound too promising. But Parker seemed to be forcing the young man to keep a lid on it until they had their coffee.

Daniel took a seat alone at the dining room table and slumped over, toying with his black and purple slap bracelet. It felt almost like being back in that interrogation room at Del Carlo. He wondered how Sean had dealt with his own interrogation with Officer Campbell the first time they were captured together. I drove that door into him pretty hard, he remembered. I really hope he's okay. I hope everyone else I hurt was okay. After a minute or two of agonizing thoughts, he heard a cane tap its way into the room behind him.

"Hey, Daniel," Stephen said, sitting down to his right at the end of the table. "Are you...all right?"

"No," the boy said, rolling his little chin on the wood surface as he repeatedly snapped the bracelet straight and bent it so it rolled up again.

"Look, uh. I want you to know that you're safe here with your grandmother and I, okay? I know that things with Sean were, well...difficult. But we're not angry at you for anything that happened. Not while you were here, and not while you were on the road."

"I guess we'll find out, won't we?"

"Daniel," Stephen started, but cut himself off as Claire and the three agents entered the room. She proceeded to set out a small platter of pastries and doughnuts to be shared in the center of the table, along with small plates in front of every spot. The agents sat down, with Flores taking a seat at the opposite end from Stephen. Claire sat in front of Daniel alongside Michaels on the other side, while Parker joined the young boy on his left. They started off with a healthy dose of small talk as they mixed their coffee. Daniel poured himself a mug from the carafe and selected a cherry-filled pastry as he listened to them. Once Flores set her clipboard and folders on the table, an uncomfortable silence filled the room, until the young boy slurped his coffee noisily. Get it over with already.

"So," the young agent breathed, thumbing through her papers. "Much of what will be discussed today are things I already spoke with Daniel about after his booking, but there are a few other things that need to be sorted out as well."

"His booking?" Claire raised an eyebrow. "You arrested a ten year-old child? Are you out of your minds?!"

"We did not want him arrested," Agent Michaels clarified. "The border police did, but it was strictly procedural, and-"

"Okay, that's enough," Flores interrupted. "We had to have an interrogation, yes, and I had to make a report to the Bureau. That is all his arrest entailed. What happened at the border was a particularly unique situation, Mrs. Reynolds. Being that I was already assigned to Sean's case and was tasked with tracking Daniel down after he went missing, I was within my rights as a federal agent to take immediate jurisdiction. However, you should know that I did assign his case a particularly high level of priority in order to get him home quickly, so any burden of proof falls back on me. That is all I can tell you with regard to that."

"Oh, bless your souls," Claire closed her eyes. "Thank you."

"As far as everything else, I'm sure there is plenty you are unaware of regarding his time away," the agent said, glancing over the evidence. Daniel almost spit out his coffee until she finished. "But I think I will spare you the details, in the interests of making Daniel's adjustment easier. Living on the road has clearly been difficult enough. Our main concern going forward will be to monitor him periodically to be sure he is doing well. The FBI does employ trauma counselors, should they ever be needed. But bi-weekly visits to the home will be a requirement, until such time that the Bureau holds in good faith that he is not a...threat...to himself or anyone else."

"A threat?!" Claire snapped. "Just what the devil are you-"

"Claire, please!" Stephen urged, holding a hand to her arm. "I think you know exactly what she means, dear."

"Oh..." the woman gasped. She reached across the table to hold Daniel's hand, even as he'd buried his face into the table. "They know."

"Yes," Flores said plainly. "We do."

"Well, if any of you are able to tell me...what exactly happened at the border? We've seen no news reports or footage on it. When Agent Parker called me, all he said was that you had Daniel in your custody. I was very relieved, of course. But what about Sean?"

"Your other grandson fled into Mexico, Mrs. Reynolds," Agent Parker said. "Daniel jumped out of the car just before he plowed through the gate."

"Oh Lord!" Claire gasped, covering her mouth. "Well can't any of you go down there and get him? Even if he is my grandson, he still needs to face the music for what he's done!" Daniel shot her an angry look.

"This is bullshit! Sean was only trying to protect me!" the boy snapped. Parker set a hand on his shoulder to stop him from getting up.

"I'm afraid that's not possible," Agent Flores replied. "Mexico does not extradite many wanted criminals unless they hold a particularly high priority. And with things being as they are right now politically, my concern is that it would get him killed before he ever saw the inside of a jail cell. Justice aside, I don't believe that any of us here would want to put your grandson's life in danger, now would we?"

"No, you're right. I suppose not," Claire sighed.

"As for Daniel, I believe I've covered things to the best of my ability. His case file is sealed, with plenty of redactions. But I cannot stress enough how much you all need to be cautious going forward. The majority of the FBI is not yet aware of the extent of his unique abilities, and I'd prefer we keep it that way. Should it be brought to the attention of other agencies in any way whatsoever, I will no longer be able to guarantee his safety, and I cannot say what they would do in such a scenario. Scientific experiments are a high likelihood, and I have no doubt the Department of Defense would get involved. I don't believe any of you would want that either."

"Definitely not," Stephen said, taking Daniel's hand. "He deserves to live a normal life and just be a kid again."

"We all agree," Flores nodded. "That said, we do have a range of requirements. Firstly, Daniel must attend a public school. Records of his performance must be submitted to us quarterly."

"That seems easy enough," Claire said.

"Secondly, visits by federal agents will commence every other week for the first several months of his residence here to determine his safety and adjustment back to normal life. Third, phone and internet use must be strictly monitored. This can be done at your discretion, as I don't see the need to install wiretaps on your devices, however it is possible the Bureau will be paying close attention to your search history. That much is out of my control. The fourth point, I already explained to him. He will not be permitted to leave the United States for any reason whatsoever. Not even for school trips, vacations, visiting family...nothing."

"That sucks," Daniel said.

"For the fifth and most important requirement...he is not permitted to make use of his abilities. Inside the home, I don't see an issue. But again-"

"Yeah, yeah," the boy sighed. "It would attract attention and put me on the radar, and they'll send me to a government lab or something."

"Right."

"Feels like I'm already in prison. She said I shouldn't leave the house for awhile, either."

"Actually, we will be paying a visit to the local police on our way back to be sure any outstanding missing or wanted posters and the like are removed from their databases promptly," Parker chimed in. "The sooner you can get back to your life here, the better."

"Yes, of course," Claire smiled. "Stephen and I are so happy to have you with us, and we want you to feel at home, sweetie. We're family, after all."

"Thanks Grandma, that means a lot," Daniel said, starting to feel more at ease.

As Flores continued for another hour or so with her legal jargon, Daniel excused himself from the table to wander around a bit and get better acquainted with his surroundings. The Reynolds' residence had in many ways always felt like a second home to him long after they'd left, but it was still hard to process that all of this was happening without Sean. A feeling of loneliness followed him into every room and space he entered. He checked the guest room first. Sean's scent was still hidden somewhere in there. It seemed like just yesterday they'd been waking up every morning together, having pillow fights, racing downstairs for breakfast, playing with Stephen's model trains, or training his precision with toy blocks. He remembered, too, the feeling of first entering Karen's room. Exploring through all her childhood memories, reading what poems remained, and especially that letter Claire had hidden from them. He even missed her tattered old bear Ulysses, but oddly enough it was nowhere to be found.

Daniel checked around the bathroom next, then looked out over the mezzanine, where he sat and dangled his tiny legs over the edge—well, not so tiny anymore. Sean had sat beside him one day in that very spot with a reassuring arm wrapped around him. He'd felt safe that day, and almost every day, so long as his brother was near. Christmas was in the air back then, and everything smelled of pine and gingerbread and hot chocolate and marshmellows, and...like a real home. But now, it almost felt like living in a haunted house. Sean was there, Karen was there, but as ghostly remnants of a past he'd been forced to leave behind. At least Chris will be around to make things a little better. Daniel was excited to see his friend again. Oh man, he's going to freak out when I show up at his door tomorrow, the boy smiled.

"Hey Daniel, could you come here?" Claire called up the stairs. "The agents are leaving."

"Be right there!" he answered. Just a few more moments of peace. Just a few more moments with Sean, the wolf cub sighed to himself, cherishing the memory. Before long, he got back up and bounded down the stairs. It was time to say goodbye to everyone and get settled in for the night. Strange as it was, he would miss his brief time with Flores, Michaels, and especially Parker. They were all waiting on the front doorstep for him. Claire and Stephen had already seen them off, so he closed the door behind him to speak privately to the trio.

"So," Agent Parker said, "I guess this is it, kid. This old white wolf accomplished his mission." Daniel jumped forward to give the man the biggest, strongest hug he could muster. "Hey, hey!" he chuckled.

"I'm really going to miss you," the boy said sadly. "All of you. Even Agent Michaels."

"Gee, thanks," Michaels laughed.

"Oh, mijo," Flores answered as she stooped down for Daniel to hug her. "I know you're going to do great here. And we'll continue to be sure you're looked after, okay?"

"Thank you so much, for everything. I owe you guys my life. And Agent Parker? Please never stop looking for your brother. I know I would want Sean to look for me. I hope you find him, wherever he is. He's gotta be out there."

"Thanks kiddo, that means a lot."

"I'll try to remember what you said too, about bad nights and good nights."

"Hopefully tonight will be a good one."

"Yeah...I think so."

"Anyway, we've got to get going. And don't you worry. I'm pretty sure we'll all see each other again at some point."

"I would like that," Daniel smiled. "Well...later guys. Have a safe trip back."

He waited patiently by the front door until both cars backed away into dark of the night, the trio headed for other parts and cases unknown. In a way, the young cub almost didn't want to go back inside. He feared the boredom, the loneliness, the smells, the objects and ancient relics of ghosts left behind that haunted him so. It felt familiar, yet altogether alien. Could time truly heal all ills? That remained to be seen. Still, Daniel felt that living with the Reynolds would offer him something he hadn't known in a very long time—a stable home life. Comfort. Freedom to be a kid again. Clothes without holes in them. A warm place to return to every day, and an even warmer bed.

He turned back inside, took off his shoes, and went upstairs to the guest room. Ulysses was buried deep in the pillows, waiting for him. He cuddled the bear close to his chest and fell asleep.