“Mr. Rogue! Please wait!”

  Cory Rogue ignored the nurses around him and pushed open the door. He entered the hallway full of many doors.

  The sounds of hurried footsteps followed him. He did not slow, not until he saw the number 32 on one of the doors. A plaque underneath the number read, ‘Cain Rogue- Entha Exposure.’

  Cory ran his tongue over his teeth and took a deep breath.

  He opened that door with much more delicacy than he did the other one. He slipped inside the room and was met with his sleeping brother on a hospital bed. Cory eyed him for any noticeable injuries. His eyes swept over his wrapped arms and the bandage on his face.

  Cory got closer and sat in the chair beside the bed. The two nurses who followed him didn’t come inside. He could feel them shuffle their feet nervously before going back. It was odd. Cory was still not used to how people clam up around him. He normally didn’t like it but if their nervousness let him see his brother then he was willing to accept that.

  Cory was the first one to see Cain. When Ron found him after Mom had called Cory and Cory called Ron, Cain went directly to the emergency room. They had to relocate his shoulder and bandage his abrasions. When he was relocated to this room, Cory didn’t waste a moment and came straight here, much to the dismay of the staff.

  Mom was on the phone with Manager Quill Edison, the Eternal who was in charge of protecting the east side of the city. Seeing how Mom held more influnence than him, he may just lose his job.

  Dad had arrived an hour ago and was still in the waiting room. He had been fidgeting and pacing the entire time-- you'd think Cain was dying. Cory had to remind him several times that was not the case. Per Cory’s request, Ron was also there. He was dealing with the press so the Rogue family wouldn’t have to. At least, not until Cain was up again.

  Cain was pale and his hair, which was always a mess, was even more so. He had dark bags under his eyes which was a common side effect of being drained. Cory could only hope he would get back to his energized self in a couple of days and it’ll all be okay.

  Cory dug his nails into his palm.

  He already knew about the dislocated shoulder and bruised ribs, both of which should be fine by next week, if not sooner. Especially with his new healing abilities…

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  It shouldn’t come as a surprise. It shouldn’t. After all, both Cory and Mom became one, but it was odd to think that Cain was an Eternal too. That's three in the Rogue family…

  It raises the question, is Entha Immunity genetic?

  Cory twisted the bracelet around his wrist in thought.

  What would Cain’s ability be? Would it be offensive or defensive? Cain was the type of person to get a flashy power. Maybe an elemental type of power like that one character in that movie he likes. Cory would not be surprised if he somehow plagiarized the power of a comic book character.

  He’d also give himself a stupid hero name. Like or something

  Cory’s lips twitched up in a small smile but it quickly fell away. A heavy weight settled in his stomach making him feel sick.

  A knock sounded from the door.

  “Hey, buddy.”

  Cory turned to look up at Ron who was entering the room. The man was smiling though Cory could see the subtle signs of exhaustion. That was understandable seeing how it was almost 1 am.

  Cory forced himself to smile back.

  “How bad was it?”

  “The idiots?” Ron pulled out a chair from a miniature desk and sat down. “It’ll probably be worse in the morning. Manager Rogue is getting rid of them now. She should be here in a few minutes.”

  Cory nodded before looking at Cain again. His brother seemed tense. Uncomfortable. It made Cory nervous.

  “I wanted to say thank you,” he said. “For finding him.”

  “No need to thank me, Rogue. It’s my job. Any other Eternal would have come too, I was simply the closest.” Ron leaned back, glancing at Cain and then Cory. “Do you want to ask?”

  Cory’s shoulders dropped. “What happened? In detail this time.”

  Ron hummed. “When I got to the garage your brother was carrying the other survivor. He was already drained but he was protecting her. Honestly, I was impressed.”

  Cory nodded. He too was impressed with Cain. Cory should tell him that when he wakes up.

  “He fell over and I came in and killed the Giants. They were both unconscious when I was done so I called the police and an ambulance. Other than that, I didn’t see anything else. Well, there was a dead woman who turned out to be that girl’s mom so there's that… ” Ron chuckled darkly. “I’m so glad I killed those Giant bastards.”

  “...The job you were on when I called you. Did you finish it?”

  Ron seemed disappointed. “Not yet. I’m going back out there tomorrow so don’t worry about it.”

  “No. It’s my fault you were distracted. I’ll do it.”

  “You sure? Shouldn’t you sleep?”

  Cory shook his head. “I’m all good. Some adrenaline will help with the dreams anyway.”

  “If you say so.” Ron stood up, stretching his back. “I think I’m going to head out but tell me when Cain wakes up. I want to meet him.”

  Cory made a face.

  Ron appeared affronted. “Come on, I’m not that bad.”

  Cory stayed silent.

  “I promise I won’t be a bad influence.”

  Cory turned to Cain's unconscious self. “Goodnight, Ron.”

  Ron huffed and went for the door. “Fine. I suppose I’ll just meet him when he joins the association.”

  Cory straightened as Ron disappeared from the room.

  .’

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