𝐑𝐞𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚 | 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐨𝐲𝐬 (𝐎𝐂)

ELEVEN

The tension in the air lingered long after Ryan and Julia's encounter with Homelander. Becca could see the questions swirling in Ryan's eyes, but she knew she had to redirect their focus.

"Okay, remember we have English lessons today." Becca said, forcing a bright tone as she gathered their books.

"Mom, can we talk about-" Ryan began, but Becca cut him off with a gentle smile.

"Later, sweetie. Let's dive into some reading, shall we?"

As they worked through the lesson, Ryan's questions nagged at the back of his mind, but his mother's calm demeanor kept him from voicing them. Julia, too, was still quiet, her thoughts racing from meeting Homelander-her big brother?

The reveal felt surreal, a mix of confusion and wariness as she didn't really know the man. She stole glances at Ryan, who seemed equally lost in thought, his brow furrowed as he focused on his workbook.

"Can you believe he said that?" Ryan finally whispered, glancing up at Julia. "That's he's our family?"

Julia nodded in agreement, her voice soft as she spoke. "Weird."

Becca overhearing their hushed conversation, quickly intervened. "We can talk later, okay? Focus."

After the lesson wrapped up, Becca excused herself to rest in her room, leaving the children to their own devices. Ryan trudged off to his room, but Julia lingered for a moment, glancing at the basement door.

She remembered Becca's stern warning: Never go down there without me. Curiosity tugged at her, and, feeling a surge of defiance, she tiptoed toward the door, glancing back to make sure no one was watching before she quietly opened it.

The basement was dimly lit and filled with shadows. She moved cautiously as she scanned the room as she walked. Shelves with boxes, toys, and other items she paid no mind too. That was, until her eyes noticed something in the corner, hidden away.

It was a metal box, partially obscured by a tattered old blanket. Intrigued, Julia approached, her heart pounding with anticipation. She knelt beside it, brushing aside the dust and fabric to reveal its surface. The box looked old and worn, with a simple lock that seemed to beckon her.

Using her strength, Julia easily lifted the box and opened it. Inside, she found a strange knife, its blade gleaming ominously even in the low light. Mesmerized, Julia reached for it, entranced by its dark allure.

Suddenly, she felt a presence behind her. Becca appeared in the doorway, her expression a mix of concern and disappointment.

"Julia!" She exclaimed softly, stepping forward to gently take the box from her hands. "What are you doing in here?"

Julia didn't respond not knowing how, instead she looked at the box that was now put back in the corner by Becca. "Knife."

Becca's gaze softened as she let out a small sigh. "Yes, Julia, it's a knife. A very special but dangerous one okay? It's not a toy."

"Special?"

Becca nodded before glancing back at the door making sure Ryan wasn't there before looking back at Julia with an unreadable expression silently wondering how much she should tell the girl. "Yes. Do you...remember when I used to take care of you in Vought's lab?"

Julia hesitantly nodded, the memories threatening to come back but she pushed it down and was more focused on her curiosity instead.

Becca's smiled sadly in realization, she didn't want to bring it up but knew if she was going to explain it was important for Julia to understand. "Well...I found it there. I took it home with me because in the wrong hands it can cause a lot of damage."

At the young girls confused expression, Becca kept going. "This is no ordinary knife, Julia. It has the ability to nullify supes powers."

Julia tilted her head, mimicking Becca's words. "Nullify?"

"Yes." Becca explained, her tone serious. "It means it can take away their abilities, render them powerless. It was designed for a purpose-to control those who might be too strong or dangerous."

Julia's eyes widened, her mind racing but she kept silent not knowing how to respond to that.

"But you have to promise me that you won't tell anyone we have this knife okay? Even Ryan. Can you do that for me Julia?"

"Promise."

Becca patted the girl on the shoulder gently and began leading her back upstairs. "Come on, sweetie. You should rest."

As they climbed the stairs, Julia's mind buzzed with thoughts of the knife and its implications. She felt the weight of the promise settle on her shoulders, a secret that connected her more deeply to Becca.

Once they reached her room, Becca paused at the door. "Okay, get some rest before dinner. And please don't go back down there by yourself again, understand?"

"I...understand."

Becca smiled softly, proud of the young girl and her slight improvement on her speech but refraining from commenting about it. She gently closed the door, leaving Julia alone in her bedroom. Julia sank onto her bed, the promise echoing in her mind. She glanced at the wall where her drawings of superheroes and fantastical worlds that both her and Ryan drew, hung.

But now, there was a new layer to her reality-a dangerous edge that made her heart race. She couldn't shake the feeling that her life was about to change in ways she couldn't yet understand.