The giggles of children echoed from a distant hallway. They rushed in like a wave, wearing black ski masks over their faces and searching for a hiding spot.
The little girl held a teddy bear with a black bandana wrapped around its head. She struggled to keep up with her older brother who dashed past her with a bag full of "money" and leaped over the worn toffee-colored sofa.
"Hey, that's my spot!" her small voice argued.
"I got to it first!" he contested from the hiding nook.
Approaching footsteps clunked along the wood floor.
"Quick!" the young boy said. "He's coming."
~~~
Jack peered out the window of the room to see the distinct rolling green hills he knew all too well.
"This is Ireland," he stated.
"He never left," Anti replied. "This is the reality where you put that hotel management degree to good use – settled down... became a family man."
~~~
An older, stockier version of Jack jumped into the room – same energy as always. A blue bath towel cinched at his neck and draped along the back of his red shirt.
He jovially acted the part of a superhero breaking up a gang of robbers, much to the children's delight. Suppressed snickers could be heard behind the couch and in the closet from the opposite end of the room. The parent played up the situation, as if the "criminals" picked hiding spots that were too clever.
He then turned around and snuck up to the sofa, surprising his son.
"Ah-ha! Caught you red handed!" Sean said, picking the boy up. "And where is your side-kick? I know there was two of you!"
"I'll never tell!" the boy replied through laughter, swinging his legs around.
~~~
"I'm..." Jack trailed off as he watched.
"10 kilos heavier?" Anti mocked.
"...A dad."
"Chase was a dad too but... I know, this is different."
~~~
"Wrap it up kids! Dinner's almost ready," a feminine voice called from the kitchen.
"Awww, but I'm about to get interrogated!" the young boy insisted.
"You can get interrogated after dinner, Billy," she replied.
"She's right," the father replied, letting Billy go. "Go take the ski masks off and clean up. You too, Suzy!"
"But I don't want you to know where I'm hiding!" the young voice lilted from the closet.
"I have my eyes closed, I promise!" he replied, as he walked toward the kitchen.
Suzy burst out of the closet and joined her brother, dashing to the hallway as quickly as they came.
"They're growing up fast, aren't they Gab?" Sean's voice trailed out of the room.
~~~
The scene dissolved back into the dim recording room Jack knew. Anti was still sitting across from him – his demeanor somehow less smug.
"Jackieboy Man was the name he came up with for the character," Anti said. "And it's how they saw him – their hero."
"They were so... wholesome," Jack reflected.
YOU ARE READING
The Threads That Bind Us: An AntiSepticEye Origin Story
Fanfiction*COMPLETED* Jack recognized him immediately, "Son of a bitch..." his perturbed voice echoed through the large room. The man remained silent, never breaking his focused gaze. "Now I have to deal with you? 'Jameson', right?" Jack continued, approachin...
