Catching Up

The wind whistled as clouds rolled in, creeping over the morning horizon and early light. Neph straightened his posture patiently, loitering in front of the entrance. His parked pickup towered over Zeph's tiny two-seater pod truck, effectively boxing it in.

Neph took a moment to breathe and observe the scenery around him.

It was a quaint little place, just like he'd remembered from when it'd first been set up. There were a few small flower beds lining the path to the front door, the grass in the yard was well kept, and a small sign on the workshop read 'Third Chances' in bold letters.

His eyes lingered on the sunflowers though. It seemed Zeph's sentimentality hadn't changed much either for better or for worse.

Neph hadn't expected to ever come back here like this, but things had a funny way of coming full circle. He just hoped the old man wasn't still pissed after all these years.

After a couple more minutes, the door swung open, and Neph's smile widened.

There he was in the flesh—the silver-haired geezer himself.

"It's been a while, Uncle Zeph."

He held out his hand in greeting to the older man, but it was pointedly ignored with only stiff posture and an unwavering gaze to show for it.

"What's the matter, uncle? I was hoping we could have a friendly chat about old times. Maybe even play a game of chess. Of course, I'm here for something else too, but that doesn't mean—"

"We have nothing to talk about, Nathan. Leave now."

"You wound me." Neph placed his hand over his chest. "I thought you would have forgiven me after all these years. You know, I still see you like a father—"

"No, and get off my property. You're not welcome here anymore."

Neph continued unperturbed by the hostility.

"Come on. No need for that attitude. It hurts, especially from the man who saved my life."

"I already told you to leave. Now, if that's all—"

Rubber scuffed as Neph inserted his boot into the doorframe.

"You're not going to get rid of me that easily, Zeph. I think you know that."

Knuckles whitened on the doorhandle.

"I don't know why you're here, but you have three seconds to—"

"Did you really think that you could keep her hidden?"

For a moment, there was only silence.

Neph's lips quirked. That was all the confirmation he needed that Audra was—

"Who are you talking about?"

Zephyr's response came out flat, though it wasn't convincing given his body language.

"Really, Zeph? Playing dumb? I'm talking about Audra Gen. She's inside, isn't she?"

"I don't know who you're referring to. There's nobody here but me."

Ah, so he was really going to be a pain. Well, it wouldn't matter too much.

"Zephyr. I'm certain she's here. But fine, I'll play along. Tell me, have you had any visitors recently?"

The older man's eyes narrowed, but surprisingly, he responded.

"You mentioned a girl, right? I have a client that was just here a bit ago. Name's Audi. However, you just missed her. She dropped off her motor trike for service and headed home a few minutes ago."

"Service?" He raised an eyebrow. "What kind of service?"

"Just routine maintenance and a few cosmetic upgrades. Nothing too crazy."

"I see… and you expect me to believe that?"

"Why wouldn't you? It's the truth."

"Of course it is. Tell me then, how did she head back home? It's not exactly walking distance to anywhere."

"Someone picked her up."

"Who?"

"I don't know. I'm not her father."

Neph grinned at the phrasing. It was morbidly fitting given the circumstances.

"Look, Zephyr, I'll cut to the chase. I have a contract that lets me search this property. I suggest you cooperate."

He unfolded a paper and dangled it in front of him. The old man's face dropped instantly upon reading it.

"You gotta be—Fine, damn it. Search all you want. But you're wasting your time."

"I'll be the judge of that. Now step aside."

Neph shoved his way past the older man. He saw something burning in Zephyr's gaze. Anger? Fear? Hatred? It was hard to tell. But he tried not to linger on it too much. What mattered most was finding Audra and getting her home safely.

Neph started his search at the beginning.

The interior didn't look much different from when he'd last seen it. A few pictures hung from the walls, some old furniture sat in corners, and the air smelled faintly of a floral essence—something definitely new.

He passed through the hallway to the bedroom.

The bed inside was unmade, and clothing was strewn about haphazardly, mostly unisex stuff. When he moved to the closet though, there were a few interesting outfits on its hangers.

Neph grinned as he pulled one out.

Check.

"Tell me, Zeph. What's with the women's clothes? I'm surprised you're seeing someone. I thought that you would never get over—"

"Shut up. Don't repeat your mistake."

Each word hit with force, deliberately punctuated.

"Still uh, touchy about her, huh? Well, you didn't answer my question. Whose clothes are these? They're definitely a women's. I'm thinking they're—"

"Mine."

Absurd silence descended between them. Neph blinked as his brain processed the response, flicking between the dress and Zephyr.

"…You don't actually expect me to believe that?"

"Don't judge. I bought them awhile back—thought they'd suit me. You know how it is, sometimes you need to… change things up a bit."

"That's… admittedly an amusing sight. Do your friends know about this little secret? I imagine Minerva would have a field day—"

Zephyr cut him off with a glare.

"You going to waste your time fantasizing about some old twink in a dress, or are you going to get on with your search? I would hope the latter."

"…" Neph quietly conceded that joust. If it were any man but Zeph, he'd entertain it more. But he could never see the old guy in that sort of light.

He shuddered before resuming his look around the room. Gross.

Unfortunately for Neph, there weren't any places here big enough to hide anyone. He shook his head as he prepared himself to resume the search elsewhere.

Audra would show up eventually. He just had to keep looking.

Several minutes passed as he upended the house, fruitlessly looking over every inch of the kitchen, bathroom, and living room. Eventually, after half an hour of searching, he ended up in the entryway to the workshop—the last room inside and the one with the most memories.

"Well this is a blast from the past. Zeph, you mainly do mechanics still, or have you gone back to researching—?"

"No," the old man interrupted. "And that's irrelevant, Nathan."

"Come on. I'm just trying to be polite here."

"Forgive me if I don't return the favor. I'm not exactly inclined to be friendly to you now."

Neph bit his lip and sighed.

"I made a career decision and said some choice words what, forty years ago? Are those things worth holding a grudge over?"

"They are, Nathan. And it's not just about your path. I know that you meant those 'choice words' about Ash."

"But I did apologize, didn't I? It's just… you didn't deserve to go through what she put you through, not after all the work you—"

"Stop. Now. I won't warn you again."

"Sorry, didn't mean to. I just wanted to remind you that you're a hero, Zeph. To everyone who made it. More than that, to me, you were the father I never—"

"I heard you the first time, Nathan."

The older man shook his head. "Just get on with your damn search before you trample on something else."

He walked through the doorway before Neph could reply then wordlessly glanced back.

"…" Neph took the hint and quietly followed inside.

It was like he remembered, messy and disorganized. Tools were scattered everywhere, and piles of parts and machinery were stacked precariously on shelves. The biggest thing though was the motor trike sitting at the center of it all by the workbench.

Neph leaned closer to inspect it, genuinely admiring the handiwork, as he noted the tracking device was still attached to the frame. He smirked inwardly but kept his expression neutral.

He did a cursory look around but didn't see any trace of Audra. Obviously Zephyr wouldn't hide the girl in the workshop.

"Okay. You can leave now," the man stated while pointing toward the door.

Neph shook his head.

"Not until I've finished checking everything. You have an emergency bunker somewhere on the property too, don't you?"

That elicited a hard swallow.

"W-wha? How did you—?"

"Don't worry about that. I just need to take a quick peek, then I'll be done. Mind leading the way?"

The older man's eyes widened before narrowing to slits again.

"No. You're not going down there."

"Tsk. Is that a good idea, Zeph? Resisting an officer of the law?"

"You're not an officer; you're a mercenary—one soaked in blood. And I don't care what you say or think. My answer remains unchanged. Leave my house or I'll contact the actual authorities about this harassment."

"I wouldn't do that unless you want to make things more difficult for yourself."

"…What are you implying this time?"

"That you should let me finish my job. It's not personal, it's business. And it would be a shame if word got out you were obstructing an ongoing investigation, especially one regarding a missing child. How would the others react? Knowing that you're making trouble? Your business prospects would also—"

"Are you threatening me, Nathan?"

"You really like interrupting me, huh? It's not very polite, you know."

"Answer the damn question."

Neph deflated, exasperation gripping his shoulders as he rearranged the mental chessboard.

"Look, all I want to do is make sure that a girl is safely returned home. Her parents are worried sick, and I don't want their daughter to be in danger because of you."

He kept his face neutral despite the lie. If Zeph so much as flinched at the misinformation, he'd know immediately if he was hiding her.

However.

"…Fine," Zephyr replied tersely. "I still have no clue what you're talking about but come with me. The bunker is in the back."

Uncertainty fogged Neph with a blink. Zeph clearly wasn't happy, but otherwise there was no reaction. Did he actually get it wrong or…? No. He knew the girl was here. At the very least he could continue his search.

There was nowhere left to hide now. It was checkmate for Zephyr Lee, and Audra Gen.