Chapter 41 – Grandpa vs. Stepdad Braw
The massive lizard lay motionless in the distance, its chest rising and falling in deep, rumbling breaths. Razan stood up slowly, brushing sand off his clothes, and glanced at Hank and Sean's grandpa—Alexander—who were still locked in a tense, low-voiced argument.
"Guys, I really don't want to interrupt your weird way of getting to know each other," Razan said, "but that handsome lizard over there won't stay asleep forever. So, if you want, it's better we get out of here before he wakes up and decides to finish the job."
Alexander paused mid-sentence, glanced at the beast, and nodded firmly.
"The kid's right. This place is very dangerous and it's almost nightfall. So, if you don't want to die, it's better you follow me—the night is very dangerous here."
Without another word, Alexander turned and started walking, Sean falling in step beside him.
Razan sidled up to Hank, placed a hand on his arm, and spoke in a conspiratorial whisper:
"Divorce is always an option. Think about getting back to your single life, picking up a different girl every night, without having to deal with a spoiled kid and his crazy grandpa. Go, Hank, escape this prison called marriage!"
Before Hank could respond, Loona and Charlie appeared on either side of Razan like twin guardians. They grabbed his arms and dragged him backward.
Loona's voice was low and dangerous:
"So you think marriage is a prison, right? Then I'll make sure you get life imprisonment."
Charlie tugged harder on the other arm:
"Yeah, and no sentence reduction for good behavior."
Razan craned his neck for one last look at Hank as he was hauled away.
"Run, Hank! I believe in you!"
Hank watched the entire theatrical performance, smiled despite himself, and shook his head in amusement.
Gabato stepped up beside him.
"Hank, I'll follow you."
Hank gave a tired grin.
"All right, let's go. Lead the way."
As the group trailed after the old man through the fading light, Razan caught sight of their destination: an impressive treehouse perched high in an ancient, massive tree, complete with rope bridges and lanterns flickering in the windows.
He let out a low whistle.
"This old guy has style."
Charlie, still riding piggyback, bounced excitedly.
"We're going to sleep in a real treehouse!"
Loona stared at the pair, utterly baffled.
"It's just a wooden house on top of a tree. Why all the excitement?"
Razan shook his head solemnly.
"You don't understand the magic of a treehouse."
Charlie nodded vigorously.
"Yeah, Loona, you just don't get it."
Loona opened her mouth, closed it, and stared at them. One was the princess of hell who grew up in a giant castle, the other had literally built an entire city with his own power—and here they were acting like a simple treehouse was the most incredible thing in the universe.
Alexander glanced back at them.
"Well, come in. Follow me. It can get very dangerous outside at night."
They climbed the sturdy rope ladder into the surprisingly spacious interior. Alexander spread his arms proudly.
"Welcome, everyone. This is my home."
Razan took it all in—the handmade furniture, the shelves of salvaged tools, the cozy lanterns—and grinned.
"Cool. I always wanted a treehouse when I was a kid. I always saw them in movies."
Charlie leaped off his back and tackled him in excitement.
"Then why don't we build one when we get back?!"
Loona sighed deeply.
"Only two idiots like them would give up living in a mansion to build a treehouse."
Alexander chuckled at the exchange and addressed the group.
"Welcome. I have an elevator, plumbing…"
Kailani's eyes widened.
"And how did you build all this?"
Alexander shrugged modestly.
"Well, I made it with parts from the boat that brought me here."
Razan, now lying comfortably with his head in Loona's lap, looked up at him in genuine surprise.
"You're telling me a man your age carried all that weight and didn't break his back? Tell me your secret."
Alexander's eyes twinkled.
"This old man is still very strong, and I have a lot to do before I stop."
Charlie beamed.
"That's cool! Even at that age, chasing your dreams."
Razan nodded thoughtfully.
"Well, at least his dream is way easier than some people's…"
Charlie immediately pounced on Razan and bit his cheek playfully.
"Who are you saying is a dreamer?!"
Razan flailed, trying to pry her off.
"I didn't say she was a dreamer!"
Charlie paused, but Razan added with a mischievous grin:
"I said she was crazy."
That did it. Charlie tackled him again, and they rolled across the floor in a mock fight.
Loona watched, sighed, and kept idly running her fingers through Razan's hair.
Alexander, completely shocked by the chaos, leaned toward Sean.
"Are they always like this?"
Sean shrugged.
"Well, ever since the moment we met, they've been like this."
He poured himself some juice from a handmade pitcher.
"Anyone want some juice?"
Gabato perked up.
"I'll have some juice."
Alexander served him a cup.
At that moment, Kailani spotted a radio on a shelf. She walked over.
"Does it work?"
Hank eyed it curiously.
"Is this the radio you used to send the message?"
Alexander nodded proudly.
"Yes, I built it myself—with an alarm clock, copper I mined from a mountain right there, and a spoon. And you know how long it took me to assemble?"
Hank held up a hand.
"Well, I don't know and I don't want to know."
Alexander grinned.
"Three months. And you know how long someone like you would take? A lifetime."
Razan piped up from the floor.
"Hank, you can still follow my plan: be a bald lone eagle."
Kailani, sensing the tension rising, quickly asked about the radio:
"Is there no way to call for help from the navy or the government or the army to rescue us?"
Alexander shook his head.
"No, it's not that easy, dear. You have to wait for the communication satellite to pass over the right position."
Kailani:
"And how long will that take?"
Alexander:
"At most two weeks."
Kailani:
"Wait a minute… does that mean we're going to be stuck for two weeks?"
Sean smiled.
"Stuck? I think it'll be cool. We can get to know each other better."
Razan glanced at Sean.
"Look, everyone, the spoiled kid used his special move: cheap pickup line. Let's see how the girl reacts."
Kailani simply looked at Sean and ignored him completely.
Razan narrated:
"She used the special move 'do I know you?' and completely ignored Sean."
Sean groaned.
"Can you stop narrating me trying to ask a girl out like a boxing match?"
Razan smiled.
"I make no promises."
Loona and Charlie immediately yanked his ears.
"Don't interrupt other people's romance!"
Razan protested:
"But I didn't interrupt any romance. For that to be called romance, it needs to improve a lot."
Hank turned to Sean.
"Two weeks. Do you realize how worried your mom will be if she doesn't hear from us for that long?"
Alexander nodded.
"Yeah, he's right. She might even remarry in that time."
Gabato looked at Hank.
"You're just going to let him talk to you like that from "
Razan pumped his fist.
"Go, Hank! Finish him!"
He turned to the group.
"Anyone want to bet? I bet ten dollars on the old man."
Hank waved it off to Gabato.
"Let it go. We're too tired today. The best thing to do is rest."
Razan slumped dramatically.
"What a shame. I thought I was going to see the epic fight: grandpa vs. stepdad, the final battle."
Loona looked at Alexander.
"Where are the rooms for us to stay?"
Alexander pointed right.
"The first door has one available."
She grabbed Razan by the collar, dragged him toward it, and glanced back at everyone.
"Thanks and good night, everyone, until tomorrow."
Charlie saw them leaving and bolted after.
"Wait for me!"
Hank watched the scene, smiled tiredly, and said:
"Yeah, let's sleep too."
Sean:
"I'm already happy knowing I don't have to sleep in the same tent as you."
Alexander clapped his hands once.
"Well, everyone should rest. After all, tomorrow we have a long day ahead."