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Thankfully, they’d already stopped at a gas station, and Hector was quick to seek refuge in the air outside the car.

Colt was filling up the tank. The man smirked when he saw Hector. “Was wondering if you’d be able to sleep through that.”

Hector enjoyed another gulp of fresh air before responding. “Where are we?”

“Nearly to Maxwell,” said Colt. “Maybe you should try to call your friend again.”

“Ah... I could help you change the kids, if you want.”

“You know how to change a diaper?”

“Yeah. My, uh...” He frowned. “Yeah, I know how.”

“Mm. Still, you should call your friend. I’m fine changing them both.”

Hector nodded and pulled out his phone. To his surprise, he already had several missed calls from Gina. She’d sent a few texts, as well, all warning him that she thought someone might be coming to kill him. Not exactly news, generally-speaking, but she had details. Karkash. A man who could control electromagnetic fields.

Garovel floated over his shoulder, reading. ‘Looks like Gina’s been busy.’

He decided to give her a call.

She picked up after a single ring. <“Hector!”>

“Uh, h-hi.”

<“You got my messages?”>

“Y-yeah.”

<“I’m not completely sure that they’re coming after you, to be honest. It sounded like they were talking to reapers, so I only caught half the conversation, but they mentioned someone who uses metal being in trouble because of Karkash--who, by the way, does not sound like a very nice person. After seeing you in the news, I figured the metal guy was you. What the hell happened to you, anyway? You didn’t actually kill all those people, right?”>

Hector blinked a few times. “N-no, of course I didn’t. How do you know about this Karkash, anyway? It sounds like you bugged someone or--”

<“Yeah, I planted bugs all over Belgrant Castle. The people who are holding the King hostage--I’ve been listening to their conversations.”>

“What?!”