Jaxon

Now that Ashe was asleep, I called my sister Addison. I needed updates on everything hex tech, and I was hoping she could look into the names for me of these kids. Addison answered on the second ring, her voice crisp and alert despite the late hour.

"Hey Jax, what's up?" she asked, a hint of curiosity in her tone.

"Hey Addy, I need a favor," I began, leaning back against the couch. "I need you to dig into some hex tech stuff for me. And I also need the names of some kids looked up."

There was a brief pause on the other end of the line before Addison responded. "Look up kids? That's a bit out of the ordinary for you. What's going on?"

I sighed, trying to gather my thoughts. "It's a long story, but it's important. Do you think you can help?"

"Of course," Addison replied without hesitation. "Just send me the details and I'll get started right away."

Relieved, I quickly relayed what I knew, providing her with the names and any other relevant information. "Thanks, Addy. I owe you one."

"Don't mention it," she said with a chuckle. "You know I've always got your back. What are the names?" she asked

"Timothy and Tanner Young, and Zachary Biggs," I said. "Biggs as in Xavier's son?" Addison said,

"Yes" I replied, Addison was silent for a moment, processing the information. "Alright, got it. I'll see what I can find out about them. Anything else you need while I'm at it?"

I shook my head, though she couldn't see me. "No, that's all for now. Thanks, Addy. I really appreciate it."

"Anytime, Jax. Take care," she replied, and with that, the call ended.

I leaned back and stared at the ceiling, feeling a mix of worry and determination. There were so many pieces to this puzzle, and I just hoped we could put them together before it was too late.

It didn't take long for her to get back to me, her voice crackling through the receiver with a sense of urgency. "Jax, I've got some information," Addison said, her tone serious. "But you need to be prepared; it's not what we expected."

My heart skipped a beat. "What did you find out?"

"Timothy and Tanner Young are clean, nothing out of the ordinary in their records but their father died in prison, mom also is dead Tanner takes care of his brother they are in foster care. But Zachary Biggs... there's something you need to know. He's been in and out of trouble for the past few years. Minor offenses mostly, but there's a pattern that's troubling."

I frowned, feeling the weight of her words. "What kind of pattern?"

"Associations with some questionable groups," Addison replied. "And it seems like he's been trying to keep a low profile recently. Whatever he's involved in, it's more complicated than it appears."

I took a deep breath, absorbing the information. "Thanks, Addy. This helps a lot, even if it raises more questions."

"Just stay safe, Jax. I'll keep digging and let you know if I find anything else. Keep me posted on your end as well."

"I will. Thanks again, anything on the hex tech?" I asked, "Nothing we don't already know if I have anything I'll call you" she said, "Okay thanks" I replied as she hung up.

The bullies were nothing as of right now, but Zachary—well, I was going to keep an eye on him and keep him away from Ashe. I couldn't afford to let anything happen to her, especially not with someone as unpredictable as Zachary Biggs lurking around. His recent behavior was a red flag I couldn't ignore.

Exhausted from the day's revelations, I fell asleep, only to be woken up by someone crawling into bed with me. I was surprised to see it was Janna.

"You okay, little one?" I asked, my voice still heavy with sleep. The moonlight streaming through the window cast a soft glow on her face, highlighting the worry in her eyes.

She nodded hesitantly, but the tremble in her lower lip betrayed her true feelings. "I had a bad dream," she whispered, her voice barely audible.

I wondered why she climbed into my bed rather than her parents but I didn't question her, I just hugged her tight. Protecting this little one was high on my list too. "It's okay, Janna. You're safe here," I murmured, smoothing her hair and feeling her slowly relax in my arms. The responsibility of keeping them safe weighed heavily on my shoulders, but at that moment, all that mattered was making sure Janna felt secure.

We lay there in the stillness, the distant sounds of the night providing a calming backdrop. Eventually, her breathing steadied, and I knew she had fallen back asleep. I stayed awake a little longer, my mind racing with thoughts of Zachary and what lay ahead. But for now, I let the quiet comfort of the night take over, knowing that tomorrow would bring new challenges and revelations.

I woke up to Janna talking to me, "Jaxon, I'm hungry," she said, her small voice breaking the silence of the early morning. The first light of dawn began to filter through the curtains, casting a soft glow around the room.

I rubbed my eyes and glanced at the clock. It was earlier than I had hoped to wake up, but protecting and caring for Janna came first. I smiled and nodded. "Alright, let's get you something to eat," I said gently.

We both got up, and I led her to the kitchen. The house was still quiet, the only sound being our footsteps on the wooden floor. I opened the fridge and pulled out some eggs and bread, deciding to make her favorite breakfast—scrambled eggs and toast.

As I cooked, Janna sat at the kitchen table, her eyes still heavy with sleep but a small smile playing on her lips.

Ashe joined us shortly after, and I made her a plate too, knowing I would be taking her to school soon. She sat down next to Janna, and I could see the bond between them as they shared a quiet conversation. The morning light made Ashe's hair glisten, giving her a serene, almost ethereal appearance. Janna seemed to find comfort in her presence, her earlier distress now a distant memory.

After breakfast, I quickly got ready and gathered their school things. "Are you both set?" I asked, looking at them fondly. Janna nodded enthusiastically, and Ashe gave a small smile as she adjusted her backpack.

We stepped outside into the brisk morning air, the freshness invigorating us all. The walk to school was short, and as we approached the building, I reminded Ashe to be cautious and to stay away from Zachary Biggs. She nodded with a seriousness that belied her age, understanding the gravity of my warning.

Janna and I watched Ashe walk into the school, I only hoped she stayed away from those kids. I can't be there all the time especially while I had Janna. The weight of responsibility pressed heavily on my mind as we turned to leave. Janna clung to my hand, her small fingers gripping tightly, seeking reassurance.

"Ashe will be okay?" she asked, her voice tinged with worry.

"She'll be fine," I replied, trying to sound more confident than I felt. "She's a smart girl and she knows what to do."

Janna nodded, but I could see the lingering concern in her eyes, as we settled down and she played on the park.