"That's all for now," Don thought to himself as he realized his new ally in this world knew almost every move he was making, while he knew very little about them. He sighed, looking at his desk, which now had a plate of food on it. He began to eat in silence.
anwhile, downstairs, Amanda and Samantha were still chatting in the kitchen. Amanda was leaning against the island, occasionally picking snacks from a plate and eating them as she listened to Samantha, who stood with her arms crossed, looking worried.
"I don't know, Amanda," Samantha began. "I know they were bad people, but taking a life is huge, and it may affect him going forward. Maybe I should have him see a therapist." She sighed and shook her head. "I just don't know."
Amanda paused her snacking and faced her sister with an understanding expression. "Easy there, Sam. I know you're worried about him, but he seems fine. Considering what he's been through these past few years, I sort of think it's not his first ti taking a life, you know? Maybe that's why he doesn't seem all that phased.
Even if it's not, unless he asks for it, signing him up for therapy doesn't seem like a good idea. I an, you said it yourself—now that he's back, the best thing we can do is make things as normal as they can be for him, so he can readjust and get used to it."
Samantha sighed but nodded softly at Amanda's advice. "Yeah, maybe you're right, Sam. I think—"
Before Samantha could finish speaking, a resounding knock ca from the door, followed by the doorbell ringing. Samantha imdiately turned to Amanda and asked, "Are you expecting anyone?"
Amanda imdiately shook her head. "No. Maybe it's Casey again, here to complain about my truck."
Samantha, however, didn't think that was the case as she looked at the small clock mounted above the fruit basket in the kitchen. It was 3 PM. "No, she should be at her country club or sothing by now. I don't like this."
Samantha was extrely cautious after it beca public knowledge that Don had killed four of the Green Thorns. Though it might seem like she was exaggerating to an outsider, she felt she was being adequately cautious in case Don or the entire family beca a target. Hearing Samantha's reasoning, Amanda could see that she was being overly cautious and could easily guess why.
Amanda herself felt that Samantha was perhaps too worried, but she didn't outright say this and instead volunteered to check it out. "Let's just ask who it is through the door."
Suggesting this, Amanda moved away from the counter and left the kitchen, walking to the entranceway and stopping at the door.
"Amanda, wait!" Samantha quickly followed her from behind, but by the ti she also entered the entranceway, Amanda had already yelled, "Who's there?"
She got an imdiate response in the form of a male voice. "My na is Benjamin Ford. I'm an assistant to Director Graham in the Hero Public Relations Departnt. Is this the Bright residence?"
"Director Graham?" Amanda repeated in a confused tone while turning around to look at Samantha before whispering, "Does he an that Director Graham?"
"I think so," Samantha replied, her expression changing from cautious to angry as she recalled the sour interaction she shared with the director, Red Star, and Commissioner Bateman. She quickly strode forward and stood near Amanda before yelling out, "What do you want?"
Benjamin, on the other side, recognized Samantha's angry voice from the sa interaction at Central Mall. He hadn't said anything then but had watched as she lectured Commissioner Bateman. Seeing that she was still angry, he knew he had to proceed cautiously.
He cleared his throat before explaining, "Director Graham was concerned that the leaked information might lead to your son or your family becoming a target, so he sent here to propose a way forward on his behalf."
Hearing the reason, both Samantha and Amanda turned to look at each other. Amanda, not sure how to advise her sister, was clearly angry at all parties involved in the matter, whether directly or indirectly.
Had it just been her, she might have imdiately told Benjamin to leave, but with the whole family possibly under threat, she couldn't make such a selfish decision despite her lack of trust and faith in both Director Graham and the police. Seeing the doubtful look on her sister's face, Amanda suggested, "Maybe we should hear him out?"
"Alright," Samantha agreed, still not liking the idea. Amanda could see the seriousness in her sister's eyes and felt that the less interaction Samantha had with Benjamin, the better. So, in an attempt to help her, Amanda suggested, "Why don't you call Donnie? He would need to be here."
"I'll lead the man to-," Amanda started, but before she could finish, Don appeared on the staircase. He had clearly heard what they were saying due to his enhanced senses but pretended he was unaware. He looked at them with feigned confusion and asked, "What's going on?"
Samantha was the first to turn in his direction, looking a bit hesitant to answer. But once Amanda turned his way, she imdiately explained, "a man from the HPRD is here to have a word with you and your mom, perfect timing."
'Is that the controlling body for superheroes or sothing? There's just no end to the amount of things I need to learn in this world.' Don inwardly sighed but proceeded down the stairs with a neutral expression. He could see that Samantha clearly wasn't happy about it so he needed to approach the situation cautiously.
After he reached Samantha and Amanda, he stood between them and looked at the door with a raised brow. "Well, aren't we going to let them in?"
Samantha still looked unsure and turned to Amanda but before she could say anything, Amanda spoke first. "Well, I'll leave you guys to talk, just call if anything."
Amanda gave Samantha an encouraging smile as she left, causing Samantha to sigh and think, 'she's right, there's no harm in hearing what they have to say. But I'm sure they're just avoiding legal trouble.'
Samantha took a deep breath before forcing a smile and looking at Don, who had already taken the liberty of positioning himself in front of the door. She gave him a small nod and he opened the door, revealing Benjamin's figure.
He wore the sa attire he had at mall but carried a brown suitcase in one hand and a folder in the other. He looked a bit nervous when facing Samantha but he quickly cleared his throat and handed over the docunt in his hand to her.
"What is this?" she asked as she received the docunt with skepticism.
The man adjusted his glasses before answering, "an entry form into the Santos City EHP."
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