Chapter 117: Happy Birthday
Since that day, the Wiltons haven’t tried to visit. Kain hasn’t had any issues with Source Energy, but his eyes haven’t gone back to being completely violet. They have settled into a strange half-and-half.
The lower part of both irises has become red, but the top is violet. According to doctor Dominic, it’s settling. The red number with the golden halo had now become red and gold intertwined.
The Nightfall members found it strange at first. But after explaining about the drugging and what he did, they understood that it might be a side effect. They had also come to a consensus that the couple and their children are no good.
Time passed after these revelations. And like that, another three weeks have gone.
Today, Marcus has taken the children out to patrol the barge, his usual activity.
As for why he took them, it’s to ensure they can’t see everyone setting up for their birthday.
Born in spring, a cool spring breeze should accompany their big day. But ever since the collapse, the world has been in a state of eternal heat.
There hasn’t been any rain, but the weather has gone from the startling heat threatening to suck someone dry, to a summer heat.
Kain, Amelia, and the others are setting up chairs and tables. The food is being brought out one by one. There isn’t a large birthday cake, but rather several small cakes for everyone to choose from.
After an hour, Marcus and the children came back.
Dominic, Avery, and Ashton were more childlike than before. Kain thought it was a side effect of the suppressant, but he didn’t mind. Let children be children.
When they saw the decorations, they ran over. Well, Avery and Ashton ran; Dominic walked. He was still a little adult, even if he did smile more.
"What’s going on?" Ashton asked.
"Why is everything so pretty?" Avery questioned, head swiveling.
"What are we celebrating?" Dominic looked directly at Kain.
There were pink, yellow, and blue balloons and streamers. A large banner with the children’s names on it. The complete banner wasn’t unfurled.
Kain steered the children towards the banner. He knelt so he was eye level with them.
"Do you know what day it is?"
They shook their heads, confusion evident.
"I’ll give you a hint..." Kain said.
He made a gesture. Everyone crowded around and started singing.
When the children heard the song, they stiffened. Not from fear, but in surprise. It was clear they hadn’t expected any of this.
The Happy Birthday song rang out. The joy of the day settling int he children’s hearts.
Avery’s little hands clapped along, somewhat dazed. Ashton’s eyes turned around, still taking in the scenery. Dominic was biting his bottom lip, eyes somewhat shielded.
Touching the tip of his nose, Kain said, "You can cry if you want."
He looked up, aggrieved. Kain laughed heartily.
Kain himself hadn’t noticed that he was smiling more around these people. He saw the change in the children but not in himself.
But smiling doesn’t mean. His relaxed posture has a lot to do with the integration of the ’voice’; he just isn’t aware of it yet.
When the song ended, Kain had them face the banner. Unfurling it, confetti dropped out, and music began to play.
Amelia knelt beside Kain, "Happy Birthday!"
Hayley ran up to the triplets. Her once thin frame was now rosy and chubby. She had three boxes in her hand. She handed one to each of the siblings.
The adults departed and let the children have their own time.
For the next few hours, it was a celebration. One they hadn’t experienced since the collapse. The atmosphere was warm and inviting. If it hadn’t been for the containers and other items reminding them of their predicament, one would think it was an ordinary child’s party.
At some point, Kain went inside and retrieved three small cars.
"Birthday presents," Kain announced. "You can drive around for a while, but don’t go too far."
The children had never seen anything like it. Having been trapped in the lab, it’s not that they didn’t know what a car was. They had stayed in the orphanage for a period. Their wonder and bewilderment now were because they had one for themselves.
Their excitement was palpable. They couldn’t help themselves and jumped in. Just as they were about to drive off, Ashton remembered Hayley and brought her into his car.
What ensured was the laughter of reckless children.
When Kain saw them bumping into things, he could only shake his head. He couldn’t understand why they decided to turn them into bumper cars. But he had others in the space. If they destroyed one, he could give another.
Later that night, when everything had cooled down, cake had been eaten, bellies were full, Kain and Amelia sat down with the triplets.
"So, did you enjoy your big day?" Amelia asked the children.
With the wide smiles on their faces, it was obvious they did. Their little milk teeth were out on display.
"Good. If you want, we can have a party every year."
They shook their heads.
The adults, confused, asked them why. The response shocked them.
What if we don’t have any food later?
What if people come to fight?
One said, We should wait until it’s just us. When asked why, he said it’s because there were people peeking, and they all looked at the food like they wanted to rob it.
A bewildered laugh left Kain when he heard that.
So, all in all, the reason for not having another party is the lack of food and not wanting people to snatch their food.
It took some time to reassure them that the food would be fine and they wouldn’t run out. They also earnestly told them that no one would snatch their food.
He even reminded Ashton that food was growing by itself in the space.
When they finally put them to sleep, Kain and Amelia sighed. They fell asleep as soon as their heads hit the pillow.
Before Kain fell asleep, he thought he heard the system chime. He didn’t pay any heed to it. He was tired; he could check it in the morning.