The Beast Inside

Ch. 23: Night Terror

"Are you sure you're going to be okay?" My mom's concern was evident in her voice as she glanced at me, her eyes searching for reassurance.

"Yes, mom. It's not the first time I've been alone," I replied, offering her a small smile to ease her worries.

"Okay, I just worry about you. You know you can call me anytime, right? And your friends from work are more than welcome to come over. You speak so highly of them and I trust you," she said, her tone gentle and caring.

"Thanks, mom, and I know. I'll be fine. Plus, like you said, I've got my friends. Just go enjoy your trip," I assured her, enveloping her in a warm hug to convey my gratitude and love.

"Alright, honey. I love you," she said as she returned the embrace, her affectionate gesture filling me with a sense of comfort and warmth.

"I love you too, mom," I replied softly as I watched her climb into the waiting taxi, waving goodbye until it disappeared from view. With a deep breath, I turned back towards the apartment, ready to face the day ahead.As I went about my morning routine, thoughts of my mom's upcoming trip lingered in my mind. She was headed to Japan for two weeks on a business trip to unveil a new device called a Go-Buster. While she hadn't divulged many details about the device itself, I could sense her excitement and anticipation. Whatever it was, it was bound to be groundbreaking.

After I'd gone through my morning routine, I headed to the Riptide Gym to meet Devon, as we often did. As we exchanged greetings, I couldn't help but share the news about my mom's upcoming trip. "I'm surprised you didn't go with her. I know you've always wanted to go to Japan," Devon remarked, his curiosity piqued by my decision to stay behind.

"Yeah, I still do but with Evox's forces still around, I'm needed here," I replied in a hushed tone, casting a cautious glance around the gym to ensure no one overheard our conversation. "Plus, I'd miss my friends too much, especially hanging out with you," I added with a soft smile, noticing the faint blush that crept onto Devon's cheeks at my words.

Huh, wonder what that's about.

"You're sure you're gonna be okay at the apartment alone? I'd be more than happy to stay with you...um, if you'd like me to...after what we learned about Drakkon..." Devon offered a little awkwardly.

"Thanks, Dev, but I'll be okay. Besides, if Drakkon somehow shows up, I've got the Dragon Dagger and I promise to call you guys right away," I assured him, though secretly appreciating his gesture and hiding how I really felt. As the day wore on, the tranquility of our routine was shattered by the unmistakable sound of our comms. Commander Shaw confirmed what I thought - another attack by Roxy and Blaze was underway. With a shared sense of determination, Devon and I rushed to the scene of the disturbance, where chaos reigned as the city's inhabitants fled from the rampaging robotron. Without hesitation, we sprang into action, joining forces with the other Rangers to confront the mechanical menace.

"Looks like Roxy and Blaze aren't wasting any time," Devon remarked, his tone tinged with urgency as we surveyed the battlefield.

"Then let's not waste any time either," I replied, my voice resolute as I prepared to face our adversaries once more. Together, we fought valiantly against the relentless onslaught, our teamwork serving as our greatest assets in the battle against evil. Despite the odds stacked against us, we refused to back down, drawing strength from each other as we worked tirelessly to protect the city and its inhabitants. In the end, our efforts paid off, and our combined might once again proved too much for Roxy, Blaze, and their malevolent creations. With a final, decisive blow, we vanquished the robotron, sending it crashing to the ground in a shower of sparks and debris.

Turning to Devon, I offered him a grateful smile, the weight of our shared experiences strengthening the bond between us. "We make a pretty good team, huh?" I remarked, a note of satisfaction evident in my voice.