I stared at him like I was hallucinating.
Anthony, in all his gaudy, cargo-panted, sun-hatted glory, stood with a flashlight extended like it was a ceremonial offering. The smile on his face was too casual for the weight of the moment.
"There’s no way you’re here," I muttered. "You can’t be."
He tossed me the flashlight anyway. "Catch."
I caught it on instinct, literally. My Instinct skill flickered like a candle in the wind, uncertain whether to call this a blessing or a warning.
"How the hell are you here?" I said, lowering the flashlight but keeping my eyes on him like he might dissolve into mist if I blinked.
"You told me to watch the girls," Anthony said, brushing some imaginary dust off his floral shirt. "I did. They’re fine, safe and fed. Camille’s already making new outfits. Sienna’s likely making some breakfast or something like. Alexis is doing her research in her office. It’s all accounted for."
My brow twitched. "So who’s watching them now?"
"The whole ops team. Turns out having a dozen ex-field agents lounging around was actually good for something." He shrugged. "They’ve set up camp around the place. Think Camille’s already named one of them ’Lefty.’ Or ’Shoulders.’ Something weird."
I let out a breath that felt like it had been building for days. "You’re serious."
"As always," He grinned. "You’re welcome."
I leaned on the nearest shelf, letting the metal dig into my back so I knew I was still grounded. "You shouldn’t be here."
"Says the guy shopping for peanut butter and trauma kits."
"You don’t understand. I got injured pretty badly. Mark and I—"
Anthony raised an eyebrow. "Mark?"
Recognition flickered across his face. "Oh. The Mars director kid. Real intense, dark eyes, probably stabs like a poet?"
"What do you mean you and he...?" He motioned vaguely.
"We took care of Director Connor."
Anthony’s voice dropped a note. "Define took care of."
I hesitated. "I don’t really know what happened to him, actually. I let Mark do whatever he wanted once I got Evelyn’s location. I walked away."
Anthony whistled low. "Bet that didn’t end in a group hug."
I stared at him. "She’s one stop eastward. From here."
That sobered him slightly. "You sure?"
"Got the location from Connor and I doubt he’d want to lie when he was at the mercy of the two of us."
Anthony crossed his arms. "And yet here you are buying matches like a camper."
"I didn’t have a choice," I said quietly. "My body’s broken, I needed time, some tools. Something other than an apple knife and reputation."
A pause. Then his tone softened. "Smart call."
I studied him. "Still doesn’t explain how you found me."
He grinned, pulling out a small device from his cargo pocket and waving it slightly. "Bit of luck, bit of data. Tracker showed you heading east. After that, you messaged the girls. Told them Evelyn might be close. I figured you’d make a pit stop if you were still breathing. This was the next station."
I frowned. "Tracker?"
"Yeah. Alexis said she tagged you. Something about ’not letting the human anomaly get himself killed unsupervised.’ I didn’t think she was serious."
"She wasn’t joking," I muttered, rubbing my temple. "Of course she wasn’t."
Anthony tilted his head and looked past me.
"To be fair, you don’t look half-dead. You look... two-fifths dead. Better than expected."
I gave him a dry look. "Thanks."
He stepped around me and caught sight of Elliot and Anika at the front of the store.
His gaze fixed on Anika’s blindfold. "So... what’s the story with them?"
I followed his line of sight. "Traveling companions. Elliot’s here to see his family. He’s been with me since I left from the airport back home. And Anika’s a victim of the Cain Protocol."
His tone dropped again. "You mean...?"
"She’s one of the conditioned ones. With implants and triggers, but she’s not a threat. At least as long as she keeps her blindfold on."
Anthony nodded slowly. "We got the basics from our intelligence agency. A protocol designed to weaponize subjects against you—or the Syndicate, depending on the lie of the day. We didn’t secure any official docs, just whispers. Ugly stuff."
"It’s worse than whispers," I said. "But you can ask her yourself."
He raised an eyebrow. "Permission to introduce myself, Commander?"
"Don’t you dare call me that in public."
I rolled my eyes. "Go on."
He strolled over with the gait of a man who had too much confidence and nowhere safe to put it. I trailed behind him slowly, watching.
Elliot noticed him first and straightened a little. "Friend of yours?" he asked me quietly.
"Unfortunately," I said.
"Hey there," Anthony said, flashing a grin. "Name’s Anthony. I’m... let’s say backup."
Elliot gave a polite nod. "Elliot. I’m a translator and companion of Mr. Jester."
"Nice. You’re doing good work."
Then Anthony turned to Anika. "And you must be the infamous mystery."
Anika tilted her head, upon hearing his voice aimed at her. "I don’t suppose you’re another government official we have to fight?"
Anthony barked a laugh. "Not even close. I’m the guy they send in when everything’s on fire and someone needs to roast marshmallows."
She looked slightly confused. "...Alright then."
Elliot crossed his arms. "So you’re with Reynard?"
Anthony looked back at me. "Oh, I’ve been with him for a long amount of time."
Elliot chuckled. "I believe it."
I didn’t stop the smile that tugged at the corner of my mouth.
After a minute, Anthony turned back to me, hands on hips.
"So," he said. "What else are we grabbing before we commit reckless acts of heroism?"
I leaned against the counter, the flashlight still in my hand.
"Honestly?" I said. "With you here... I feel better about our odds."
His smile widened. "Well, don’t get soft on me. I might start charging by the morale boost."
But even as I joked, a faint tension lingered in my chest.
My Instinct skill... still hadn’t given me a clean answer.
If something good like meeting Anthony wasn’t the obvious good choice...Then what disaster was waiting for me to balance it all out?