Chapter 15: Chapter 15

Shane jogged next to Reginald while Rai took up the rear. The children were crying as they were tossed around in the crate, holding onto what they could. Their weak bodies were unable to last before they fell into a pile at the bottom.

“Almost there,” Reginald said as the followed the wall.

They had already passed the gate, happy that no guards were outside. Now they were closing in on the western wall of the slums.

Reginald slowed his pace, his massive bear form easing into a walk as he sent pulses through the ground. When each one returned, he ambled further down the wall.

Shane followed, feeling the pulses as well. They sent images of what was around. The root system of the trees and plants. Rocks and ore under their feet. The bodies on the other side of the wall, gathering in a large group.

“I have them,” Reginald said before starting his digging.

“Thank God,” Shane whispered.

A giant nose pushed into his shoulder, making him smile.

“Do I look fat?” Rai asked, easing the tension in the air.

Shane laughed. “You could work out more.”

Growling, Rai pretended to bite down on his shoulder. “Jerk!”

Rubbing her nose, he smiled. “Thanks for being with me, Rai. I really needed you.”

“You’re not mad that I burned down a chunk of the city?”

Shane wavered his hand. “I’m not entirely sure. We’ll have to see the damage after this.”

Sighing, Rai sat down. “First, we need to get your people out of the city. We’ll bunker down for a couple of days in the town and get them set up.”

Shane smiled and rubbed her side. “Thank you for this, Rai. I know you’d rather kill humans, and I realize why. But thank you for sparing my people.”

Bending down, she nuzzled him again. “I’d do anything for you, Shane. I’m glad we were brought together.”

“You just use me for the sex.”

Rai laughed in his head. “You caught me! What am I going to do now?”

Rolling his eyes, Shane turned back to Reginald. The bear was just finishing and stepping back. Transforming back into his human form, he walked under the wall.

“I’ll get them, Shane,” Reginald said.

“Thanks, big man.” Shane relaxed as he heard footsteps coming towards him.

First it was only a few, but then dozens of sets shuffled under the wall. After a few seconds, Rachel and Marge appeared, helping Jeremy up the small slope. Lin was right behind them, walking hand in hand with another child his age.

Jeremy forced a smile when he saw Shane. “I always knew you would make a good sled dog.”

Shane flipped off his friend.

Chuckling, Jeremy winced before groaning in pain.

“You should relax, old man,” Shane said. “You’re going to throw out your back.”

Rachel glared at him.

Holding up his hands, Shane smiled. “It’s not my fault he’s a cradle-robber.”

This time, Jeremy flipped him off with a still-bloody finger. “Go to hell, Shane.”

Shane chuckled. “I will in time, and I’ll save you a room.”

“Is yours going to be decorated like that trashcan you called home?” Rachel asked while resting a hand on her hip and cocking it.

Shane shook his head. “Are you ever going let that go?”

“No,” Rachel said with a smile.

Sighing, Shane started walking as more people came out. “Does Jeremy need to ride in the crate?”

Marge nodded. “That would be best.”

Stopping, he looked up at Rai. “Can you help him in?”

Nodding her large head, she moved around to Jeremy and picked him up gently by this shirt. To Shane’s surprise, it didn’t tear.

“Umm, Shane?” Jeremy asked, his voice an octave higher.

“Just sit with the children and keep them calm,” Shane said as he was set inside.

Rachel peered over the edge of the crate and gasped. “Are they going to survive?”

“We’ll get them food in a little bit,” Reginald said as he came out of the tunnel, filling it in as he went.

“Reginald, take up the rear. Make sure to erase our trail,” Shane ordered. “Rai, you’re with me. Guide us to the river.”

“Will do!” Rai chirped before heading out.

Shane entered the forest, and with a pulse of essence, he felt everyone following. Their steps were slower than his as they navigated the trees and over roots. Most of them had never been outside before, and for the first time, they were among nature.

***

They reached the river a little after midday. The last remnants of summer heat made everyone sweat, and their clothes were saturated with dirt and grim. Only Shane and his Summons were unaffected.

“Reginald, make sure no one can fall into the deep end,” Shane ordered. “Rai, you can transform again, and maybe help heat the water. If we can create some sort of pool for people to bathe in, the better.”

Reginald got to work, sectioning off an area of the flowing water. It was only two feet deep, but it continued to drain slowly and could be heated.

Rai transformed into her human form and dismissed her clothes. Shane watched her with wary eyes.

“What are you doing?” he asked.

“Bathing,” she said with a smile. “Are you going to join me?”

Before he could answer, she stepped into the water. Steam rose from the ripples, and everyone looked on with interest.

“She’s your wife?” Jeremy asked as Reginald helped him out of the crate.

“Yup.”

“She has a tail,” Jeremy pointed out as if no one had noticed yet.

“Yup,” Shane said again.

“And you’re banging her?”

Frowning, Shane turned to him. “Rachel, smack your husband.”

“I don’t think so,” Rachel said, crossing her arms. “I’m wondering the same thing. Are you a furry now, Shane?”

Running a hand down his face, Shane groaned. “We are not having this talk.”

“Come on, Lin,” Rachel said before grabbing her son’s hand. Leading him to the water’s edge, she stripped her boy and set his clothes aside. “Do you have him, Rai?”

Rai nodded and moved back to the edge of the water. “Take my hand, Lin.”

“Okay…” Lin said softly. “Is this a bath?”

“That’s right,” Rai answered. “We’ll get you nice and clean.”

Most of the people that came with were sitting on the ground, relaxing after the long march. Shane was able to save over one hundred people from the ages of two or three, all the way to adults like Marge and himself.

“Let the kids bathe first,” Shane ordered while slipping out of the harness. “Reginald, can you help me with these twelve?”

The big man came over, and the two lifted the children out. Marge and Rachel hurried over to them and undressed them before leading them to the water.

“We need vegetables and fruit,” Shane said when Reginald was alone with him.

“Easy to eat,” Reginald agreed.

“Is there enough around?” Shane asked.

A pulse of essence flowed over the land. “There’s plenty,” Reginald said. “I’ll start collecting. You need to stay here and watch over your people.”

Shane gave the man a thankful smile. Patting Reginald’s arm, he moved over to Jeremy. “You’re going in as well.”

“Shane, I don’t know if I can.” Jeremy slumped, his energy running low.

Closing his eyes, Shane let out a slow breath. “I’ll help you in. But we need to clean those wounds and add some healing herbs.”

Rachel stepped up to them. “I have him, Shane.”

Patting her shoulder, he smiled. “Thanks, Rachel. Right now, we need to get food and everyone clean. Marge and I will start washing clothes.”

Marge heard him and picked up the children’s clothes. More and more of the kids were stripping and stepping into the water, leaving a pile that needed to be tended to.

Marge stripped off her own clothes and stepped into the river. “Keep your eyes to yourself, Shane!” she called out, earning laughs from everyone around.

Shaking his head, Shane stripped out of his clothes and grabbed some of the children’s. A few mumbles sprang up in his wake, and he glanced around. Most of the adults and teens were pointing at him and whispering.

“Haven’t you seen a naked man before?” Shane asked with a laugh.

“Not one with so much muscle,” Rachel said as she looked him up and down. “Damn, Shane.”

Even Jeremy was ogling him. “I want to be like you when I grow up, Daddy,” he said in a mockery of a child’s voice.

Flipping him off, Shane stepped into the water. “Only Rai gets to touch this body.”

“I’m Rai!” Rai called out as she stood, her fox tail sopping wet and dripping.

Everyone focused on her, including Shane. “Maybe you shouldn’t show off your body,” Shane said.

“Not everyone has a fetish like you, Shane,” she said. “Everyone here can handle nudity just fine.”

“Does your tail come out of your butt?” a little girl asked.

Rai sat back down. “Maybe I shouldn’t show off.”

Laughing, Shane raised the earth for a second bath for him and Marge. Their clothes were pushed into the water where they soaked, and years’ worth of dirt drifted downstream.

“You can use magic,” Marge pointed out.

“Essence,” he corrected. “And yes, I can.”

“Can you heat the water?”

Shane nodded and summoned a few flames around them. They sank into the water where they continued to burn. Within seconds, steam rose around them.

“Let me know if it’s too hot,” Shane said. “I don’t feel heat anymore.”

“You don’t feel heat?” Rachel asked.

“No. I don’t feel the cold either. I can also do a few things with earth and stone.”

Jeremy groaned as he sat down. “Is that because you’re Marked?”

“Yup!” Shane chirped. “Rai filled me with cosmic powers when she claimed me. Reginald practically forced his essence down my throat.”

Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

“How did they fill you, Shane?” Rachel giggled.

“It was rough,” Shane admitted. “Rai didn’t give me any warning either. She just took a hold of me and well…”

“Shane!” Rai scolded. “Stop misleading them.”

“You were very warm when you entered me,” Shane continued. “Like a warm summer day while basking in the nude.”

Marge laughed. “Were you bent over, or lying down?”

“Lying down,” Shane said. “There’s no way I was going to be able to bend over for her. Not with her size.”

Groaning, Rai focused on the children. “I’ll kill him one of these days.”

“Did she at least buy you dinner first?” Jeremy asked.

“Gods, no.” Shane laughed. “To her, I was dinner. The way that woman can eat.”

“Shane!” Rai said dangerously.

Waving her off, Shane turned to Jeremy. “Remember Shana?”

“No!” Jeremy groaned. “We are not talking about her.”

“Who’s Shana?” Rachel asked.

“No one, dear,” Jeremy quickly said.

“Jeremy had quite the time with her,” Shane said, smiling at his friend. “Should I tell your wife about the time she strapped you down?”

“Fuck you, Shane!” Jeremy hissed.

“No, that was her job.” Shane smirked. “I didn’t even know you were into that.”

Rachel crossed her arms and looked down at Jeremy. “Really now?”

Jeremy held up his hands. “Youthful innocence,” he pleaded.

Laughing, Shane continued to scrub the clothes. With every piece he finished, he tossed it onto the riverbank where the other adults picked them up and hung them from branches.

Reginald returned before any more stories could be told, carrying a stone crate filled with food.

Shane stood up. “Head over to Reginald, and he will hand out one item to each of you. For most of you it’s been a while since you’ve eaten, and you’re going to have cramps and pain from filling your stomach. Drink from the river to help.”

Mumbles of understanding filled the air as people gathered around the bear. Reginald did his job well, handing out carrots and fruit.

Shane turned to Jeremy. “How are your wounds?”

“Swollen, hot,” Rachel answered. “But they aren’t infected yet. We have time to make a poultice for them.”

“If you can watch the children, I’ll get what you need,” Rai offered.

Nodding, Rachel shifted away from Jeremy and started scrubbing the children.

Rai got out, drying instantly. Summoning her clothes, she headed off into the forest. Reginald continued his duty while Shane watched people eat. Various expressions of pain and thankfulness ranged over their faces.

Running a hand down his face, Shane sighed.

“It’s already getting better,” Marge said while touching his shoulder, sending him a little comfort.

Shane nodded. “I know, but I won’t relax until we’re in the town and have better clothes and beds.”

“Did you notice who they follow?”

Shane glanced around and shook his head.

“They’re following you, Shane,” Marge said. “Not me, nor the other adults. They came when you said we were leaving, and they put their hope in you when you said you were getting the children back.”

“So much is changing,” Shane whispered.

Marge touched his shoulder. “You never asked for this, but that’s what’s going to make you a good leader.”

Closing his eyes, Shane nodded. “Do I still get to act the part of the fool?”

“Meh.” Marge chuckled.

“Dammit...”

***

Shane led the group into the town as the sun was beginning to set. They still had a few hours before bed, and on the way, they scavenged more vegetables and fruit.

Rai had gone off at one point, coming back with a doe that would need to be butchered. The fresh meat would be a huge change for his people, and they would likely spend much of the night adjusting.

Jeremy looked far better now that he was clean, and his wounds had been bandaged with herbs and strips of cloth that Rai had found somewhere. Shane trusted her and didn’t ask, but his curiosity was still there.

As they entered the town, everyone started murmuring in excitement.

“It isn’t destroyed.”

“It doesn’t smell.”

“Are we really going to stay here?”

Shane listened to all of the whispers with a smile. Reginald was still in the rear, erasing all signs of their continued march. Rai was out front, carrying her doe as she led them further into the town.

“Where are we staying?” Rachel asked, now carrying Lin.

“Rai?” Shane asked.

“School,” she said simply.

“We’re going to an old school,” Shane said. “We can live in the gymnasium. I’m sure the kitchens still have food left over.”

“I hope you’re talking about canned goods,” Marge said.

“I am. There’s a store in town that has plenty. We’ll be able to eat and stock up before heading further into the wilds,” Shane said while gesturing the nearby buildings. “That will give me time to finish my job in the city.”

“You’re leaving us?” Rachel asked, her voice filled with worry.

“Not for a few days,” Shane said with a shake of his head. Stepping over a crack in the road, he added, “Reginald needs to meet with a few Descendants to help you guys. After that, I need to finish something in the city.”

“Something bad?” Jeremy asked.

“Yeah. Something very bad. I only hope I’m in time.” Shane closed his eyes for a moment. “I’ll fill you all in tonight.”

“Why us?” Rachel asked.

Shane glanced at her and then Marge. “You three are going to have to organize everything while I’m away. I don’t trust anyone else.”

Rachel nodded. “What about Shana?”

“Oh, God,” Jeremy groaned.

Shane laughed.

Nudging her husband, Rachel blew him a kiss. “Love you, honey!”

Jeremy glared as best he could.

“Did I ever tell you about the time Jeremy got lost in that brothel?” Shane asked.

“Shane!” Jeremy hissed.

“No, you have not,” Rachel said with tight lips.

“Yeah, we were thirteen at the time,” Shane started. “I lost my virginity that night—”

“What does this have to do with Jeremy?” Rachel asked.

“I’m getting there,” Shane huffed. “Rude, much?”

“Shane!” Rai growled.

Glancing at the fox, he sighed. “Why does everyone yell at me?”

“Because you’re an idiot,” Marge said with a shrug.

“Rude!” Shane groused. “Anyways. Like most teens, we had stolen a few coins and were interested in the opposite sex. We didn’t even have to sneak in, although we did case the windows.”

“Shane,” Rachel groaned. “Get to the story.”

“Yeah, yeah,” Shane grumbled. “Jeremy went in first, and I watched a beautiful blonde sweep him away. I think he imagined you, Rachel.”

“Shane!” Jeremy warned before taking a swing at him.

Stepping to the side, Shane continued. “So here I was, left alone, surrounded by beauties. With the little bit of money in my pocket, I picked out a redhead and… You can imagine the rest.”

“I’d rather not,” Marge mumbled.

Brows furrowing, Shane glanced at her. “I imagined you all night, Marge.”

“You did not!” she growled before smacking his arm.

Chuckling, Shane rubbed his arm. “I went to find Jeremy afterwards, and I had to wander around the damn place for half an hour. The man was lost, and by lost, I mean he was buried in flesh. When I finally found him, he looked like he was in heaven. I don’t know if it was his charm or whatnot, but he had four women on him.”

“Shane, by all that is mighty, I will kill you!” Jeremy growled before holding up another fist.

Shane waved him off again. “Once I realized they were all blondes, I understood.”

“You understood what, exactly?” Rachel asked her brows furrowing before pressing her lips into tight lines.

“That he had his eye on you, Rachel, my dear. Although it did take us a few months to get clean afterwards. That was a lot of money for medicine.”

Rachel groaned. “Is that why you two avoided me and May when we were kids?”

“Yup!” Shane chirped.

Rachel turned to her husband with a raised brow. “Would you like to add to the story?”

“I’d rather die…” Jeremy mumbled.

Shane had finished his story as they reached the school. The double doors were chained shut, but with a flicker of essence, Shane broke them.

Calling a ball of flame to his hand, he led the way in. The fire caused shadows to dance among the lockers and tossed-about classrooms. Old memories of his own school drifted through his thoughts.

“It’s been a while,” Rachel whispered.

“Yeah,” Shane said solemnly.

Rai continued to lead the way, her body glowing enough that she was easy to follow.

When they arrived at a branching path, Shane looked for the signs. “Gym is straight ahead. Dining hall to the left,” he announced. “Rai, head to the kitchens and start butchering. I’ll get everyone settled.”

Nodding, Rai hurried off.

“What’s to the right?” Jeremy asked.

“Utilities and playground,” Shane said. “Something we’ll look into tomorrow.”

Shane cast one last glance around the intersection before heading straight. The hall stretched on with several more classrooms along the way. When it ended, they found the gymnasium and another door leading outside.

Pushing open the double doors, Shane looked around with narrowed eyes. The gym still had the bleachers out, and what seemed like foam mats laid out. He didn’t know what games they were playing before the evacuation, but foam balls were littered around both sides of the room.

“Pile in, everyone!” Shane called out.

Holding the door open, Shane watched as over a hundred people entered the gym. Most of the children were being carried, half-asleep, or asleep.

Lowering his voice, Shane said, “Lay the kids on the mats. I’ll start heating the room.”

Throwing out his hand, Shane sent two dozen fiery orbs into the air. The smokeless balls heated the room with a dull light.

Reginald entered last, carrying the crate of food. “We don’t have much time to get them settled.”

“At least not tonight,” Shane agreed.

Setting down the crate, Reginald sealed it shut.

“Good idea,” Shane said. “Rai will be smoking the meat, and we can hand it out for breakfast. That will give people time to wake up and adjust.”

Nodding, Reginald stepped back out of the gym. “I’ll find us a private room to sleep in.”

Shane sent back, “Understood, but you might want to find one for yourself. I don’t want Rai keeping you awake.”

“You’re the one that makes noise,” Reginald grumbled.

Chuckling to himself, Shane shut down his thoughts. Moving from person to person, he patted their shoulders, or touched arms as he pointed out places for them to sleep. The children were laid down on the mats, while everyone else took the hard floor.

“It’s only for tonight,” Shane told many of them. “Tomorrow, we’ll get mattresses.”

That appeased most of them, but living in the slums had taught most of them to appreciate the hard ground.

Stepping up to Rachel, Jeremy, and Marge, Shane whispered, “It’s time to go talk.”

Rachel glanced down at Lin. He was already fast asleep, basking in the warm air. “Lead the way, Shane.”

***

Rai busied herself with finding the kitchen. Her fox form barely fit through the halls, and she had to duck several times to get through doors. It was only thanks to her flexible nature that she was able to get into the dining hall.

Where to now? she asked herself.

Dining tables and chairs filled out the space nicely. However, most of the chairs were tipped over, and the tables still had trays of food on them. It was a nice reminder of Shane’s world.

I wonder what he was like as a kid?

Shaking her head, she pushed aside tables as she moved towards the kitchen. Trays of food fell to the ground, sending up mold spores that smelled of rot. The stench wasn’t overwhelming, but it was going to be a pain to clean this room.

That’s what the humans are for, she muttered to herself.

Rai was still perturbed that she hadn’t been allowed to kill more humans back at the warehouse. Instead, she had to be satisfied with a few guards and one Marked. And she wasn’t even the one to kill the Marked.

She understood that Shane was human, and she loved him despite that flaw. But he had to realize that his kind was despicable. They were greedy, arrogant, and self-destructive.

If it was up to her, she would take him away and live out their life away from everyone. They would start a family of little foxes and have Reginald as a big brother. Or uncle. Someone the kids could play with.

Sadly, responsibilities pulled them away from that path. That didn’t mean that when Veronica was handled that she wouldn’t run away with Shane at least for a little while.

Shaking her head, she dropped the deer on a table. Transforming into her human form, she ran a hand over her hip. “I can’t believe I’m in this form more than my fox form. The things I do for Shane.”

Clucking her tongue, she used her claw to start butchering the deer. She had to get through the entire animal tonight if the humans wanted to eat in the morning. She didn’t know what she was going to do with the entrails, but she already knew that Shane would order her to handle the problem. She’d likely have to take them outside the town.

Grumbling, she piled everything off to the side. “Shane owes me a massage after this. Having to deal with his stupid humans…”

Rai knew that Reginald didn’t feel the same way as his wife had been human. But Rai had only know humans from this world. She was captured not too long after arriving and had hated them ever since.

Then she found herself dying, and Shane appeared. He was about her age, and despite his emaciated appearance, she knew he was different. Handsome, even.

She still couldn’t wrap her head around the fact that she desperately wanted him the moment they bonded. She hated humans, and yet there she was, pining after one.

Then he opened his mouth.

That spiral of nonsense threw her off, and she didn’t know how to feel. But he grew on her over the few weeks they were together. They trained, fought, and ate together. She wasn’t alone anymore.

He massaged her and brushed out her tail. He whispered loving words to her when he thought she was asleep. He caressed her ears and then he said those three words.

When he did, she thought she had broken him. He was letting her in fully, with no humor in their way. That was when she knew without a doubt that she would love him forever. It was now her duty to keep him safe, no matter who was against him.

“He’s such a fool,” she whispered. “He’s my fool, but a fool nonetheless.”

Probing their mental link, she found Shane talking with Reginald and the few others that he closely trusted. They had a lot to learn about the situation, and Shane wasn’t holding anything back.

“It’s better I’m not there,” Rai told herself. “I’m angry enough. I don’t want the others to notice that.

***

“…so that’s the story,” Shane finished while letting out a heavy breath. Falling onto the couch opposite his friends, he felt the leather creak under his abnormal weight.

Glancing around, Shane took in the expressions of Jeremy and Rachel. Both of them looked at him like he was slightly insane, more so than usual. Marge already knew everything, so she didn't react much.

“Anything to say?” Shane asked. Crossing his legs, he waited.

Rachel recovered first. Resting her hand on her husbands leg, she shifted on the couch opposite Shane. “So, you have to go back to the city, steal the vial back and destroy it, kill Veronica and most likely all of the Marked, before an experiment goes wrong and the city is destroyed?”

Shane nodded. “Yup. That sums it up.” They were in the faculty lounge and while they were talking, Shane was scanning the room. Vending machines still held chips and snacks that would be very old.

“Why you?” Jeremy asked.

“Because I’m a true Marked,” Shane said. Turning his attention back to his friends, he added, “The Descendants don’t give away their essence easily, and yet I have two. From that, I’ve gained the powers to fix this.”

“You’re going to fuck it up, aren’t you?” Rachel asked.

“Most likely,” Shane said honestly. “But I have Reginald and Rai to help.”

Jeremy glanced at Reginald who was prodding a printer. “And he’s a giant bear that can shift earth and metal?”

“Yes,” Shane answered.

“And Rai is a fire fox that hates humans with a passion, yet she’s helping us.”

“Yes again,” Shane said while watching Reginald move to a computer. Picking up the screen, the large man shook it.

“And are you starting to hate humans?” Rachel asked.

“I’ve hated society for a long time, but there are a few people that I’m willing to save,” Shane said.

“That’s not a no,” Rachel said. Furrowing her brows, she let her husband go in order to cross her arms.

“It’s not,” he agreed. “The more I’m learning about why the Descendance happened, the more I’m starting to hate humanity.”

Reginald set down the computer screen and picked up the mouse next. Waving it through the air, he frowned at it before picking up the keyboard, his fingers clicking the buttons.

“And us humans caused the Descendance?” Jeremy asked. “My family died so some big shots could have super weapons?”

Shane nodded. Eyeing Reginald with a smile, he said, “That sums it up. But I’m still learning more. Rai is a little protective and won’t tell me everything. She thinks I’m going to nuke the world.”

Reginald raised his brow. “You would.”

“Probably.” Shane shrugged. “But I’m still not strong enough. I feel like I need more bonds if I’m going to help with what Rai has planned.”

“You need more Descendants?” Jeremy asked.

“Yup!” Shane chirped. “I’m thinking a bevy of women that love me for me.”

A growl vibrated his head.

“Do you mind?” Shane asked out loud.

Rachel gave him a ponderous look. “Did Rai just yell at you?”

Shane smiled. “She wasn’t very vocal, but yes. Turns out that she likes the idea of more ladies.”

“Shane!” Rai growled.

He flinched.

“She yelled at you again, didn’t she?” Rachel asked.

“Yeah… Maybe I should stay away from that subject.” Turning to Marge, he asked, “Anything to add?”

“No,” Marge said. Like him, she was watching Reginald play with the computer. “At least not about your story. We need to figure out what supplies we have available and make a plan. Fall will not last long, and winter will be here. We need to know if we are staying in this town or moving on.”

“Depends,” Shane said. “If we can heat this building and scavenge what we need, we might stay until spring. Ultimately, I want to move further away from the cities.”

Reginald grumbled. “I won’t be here for the next few days. I have friends to bring back.”

“And they’re going to help us survive?” Marge asked. “We can trust them?”

“Yes,” Reginald’s voice rumbled. “They may even bond with a few of you. That will increase their power, and yours.”

“Are more people going to join us?” Rachel asked. “How would we feed them?”

Shane shook his head. “Let’s find a spot to settle down first. Then we can worry about expanding.”

“You’re making a mess, aren’t you, Shane?” Jeremy asked.

“Better than the messes you make,” Shane huffed. Crossing his arms, he smirked.

Chuckling, Jeremy winced in pain. “I think I need to lie down.”

Rachel nodded and helped her husband up. “Try not to keep us awake tonight.”

Shane rolled his eyes. “We aren’t that bad.”

“Yes, you are,” Reginald grumbled.

Frowning, he pointed to the door. “Go to sleep. All of you.”

“Is that an order?” Marge asked.

“Yup. My first official one. Tomorrow, we start the real work.”