Mutation Abyss

Chapter 37 - Sense of Family

Days turned into weeks, and Martial Law remained firmly in place. Theo and the others stayed within the estate walls, working together to strengthen their defenses until the property resembled an impenetrable fortress.

During those times, Theo also focused hard on losing weight, getting fit, and training himself in combat and self-defense. Now, standing in front of the full-length mirror in his spacious bathroom, Theo carefully examined his reflection.

"Who would've thought I'd lose weight this easily," he murmured with a satisfied smile. His cheeks had slimmed down, revealing a defined jawline, and his once-hidden neck was now clearly visible. His belly had flattened, and if he kept up his daily exercise routine and controlled his diet, he was confident he'd soon develop abs like Calix.

After getting dressed, Theo stepped onto his balcony. From his vantage point, Theo could see the ocean stretching endlessly before him.

A soft smile tugged at his lips as he spotted Uncle Andres and a few of his trusted friends working tirelessly near the shoreline. They were setting up barriers along the beachfront, securing the property's natural borders.

The estate sat in a very unique location, secluded, peaceful, and perfectly hidden. On one side was the vast ocean, and on the other, a dense forest that acted as a natural shield from the outside world. It made unwanted visitors less of a concern.

Uncle Andres had taken advantage of that isolation. He had set up a clever decoy at the only rough road entrance, where there were massive fallen tree trunks that appeared impossible to move. But they weren't real obstacles. With a click of a remote, the trunks could slide aside with ease. It was one of many brilliant inventions Andres had installed for their protection.

Theo's gaze shifted back to the beach, where work had begun not just on side barriers, but also on something that excited him personally, a small floating dock. They were building a mini port just off the shore. It wasn't much yet, but it was enough to fuel one of Theo's quiet dreams.

"One day," he muttered with a smirk, "I'll have a yacht there."

The dock would make it easier to fish, receive supplies from trusted contacts by sea, and maybe, when things finally calmed down, serve as a peaceful escape. For now, it was another layer of defense and self-reliance.

With Uncle Andres in charge of security and inventions, Theo felt a bit more at ease. Andres had even installed motion-triggered alarms and reinforced traps along the outer walls, all cleverly disguised to blend with the natural surroundings. He was a quiet genius, someone who preferred action over words, and it showed in how thoroughly he'd protected their home.

Theo headed out of his room, the scent of food guiding him down the hall. The dining area was lively as usual. The kids were already seated, chatting and laughing while helping themselves to bowls of soup and plates of rice and vegetables.

"I'll head outside to bring the men their lunch. We'll eat by the shore," Aunt Brenda said with a warm smile before hurrying off, leaving the rest of them in the dining area.

Across the table, Aries was busy teasing Liam, who kept pretending to steal bites from Lian's plate. Lian giggled, trying to shield her food with both arms.

Theo stepped in and took his usual seat beside Calix at the far end of the table. The two exchanged a quick nod before digging into their plates.

As he ate, Theo couldn't help but smile. Aries was laughing wholeheartedly, something he hadn't seen in a long time. The kids were cheerful, the room filled with warmth and noise that reminded him of a home he'd never thought he'd have again.

He let the moment settle in his chest. This peace, this sense of family, it was fragile, but it was real. And as he watched them laugh and eat together, Theo made a silent vow. He would protect this. No matter what came next, he would do everything in his power to keep them safe, to preserve the peace they had found here. With Aries, Uncle Andres, Aunt Brenda, Calix, and these children...

After a few bites in, Theo leaned over slightly and spoke in a low voice, "Any update from the files you pulled?"

Calix glanced at the children's direction, his expression softening. "Yeah. I finished going through everything this morning." _{𝖓𝔬𝖛𝔭𝔲𝖇.𝔠𝔬𝖒}

Theo stayed quiet, giving him space to continue.

Calix sighed. "The truth's even worse than we thought. All of them are officially listed as orphans. Rose, Lilia, Ben, Carlo, Max... their guardians were either confirmed dead during the early riots or labeled as MB Infectees."

Theo clenched his jaw. "And by now, those marked as infectees are either dead or being hunted for elimination."

"Exactly," Calix nodded grimly. "There's no one left for them. No extended relatives on record either, not that we could trace."

Theo's gaze drifted toward the children, his heart tightening as he watched Rose carefully peel boiled eggs for Liam and Lilia.

Max was showing Carlo how to wrap banana leaves around something he had cooked, all of them blending into a quiet routine they'd built together in just a few weeks.

"They made their choice," Calix added softly. "They don't want to go anywhere else. They feel safe here."

Theo nodded slowly, his voice low but steady. "Then this is their home now."

Calix glanced at him. "You sure?"

Theo met his gaze. "If they want to stay, they stay."

Calix's lips twitched into a small smile. "I figured you'd say that. Honestly, they look up to you, Theo. Especially Max and Carlo. They've started copying your exercise routines when you're not looking."

Theo snorted. "Is that why I keep finding extra dumbbells out of place?"

They shared a quiet laugh, enjoying the moment. But then Theo's smile slowly disappeared. He looked toward Aries before turning to Calix, his voice serious. "How about my father?" he asked.

Calix kept his voice low. "Still no news about your father. No one knows where he is."

Theo took a deep breath. He had never truly felt like the man's son. Since he was a child, Theo was always the one who got beaten whenever their father was in a bad mood. Only their mother ever took care of him. Their father had brought nothing but misery into their lives, always gambling, drinking, and even stealing the money Theo worked so hard to earn for school.