Aren spent a while talking to June. They ate, and he explained how he became Shadow, but he made sure not to tell her about the grueling details of what he had been through. He didn't want her to see the murderer behind the smile.
After they were done, he covered the bill. They left and took a taxi, but not to his house. They went to his parents' house.
"Do we really have to go?" June asked, looking a bit worried.
"They basically kicked you out and starved you. They've done some shitty things, but this goes way too far," Aren said, a resolute look in his eyes.
She took a deep breath and agreed. There was no need fighting it. Aren would go either way.
The drive took ten minutes, and they arrived in the neighborhood. Their parents' house was in a middle-class area, with pretty standard, clean houses and old men obsessed with their lawns.
The cab pulled up to the house. June sat stiff in her seat, glancing at the building as her breathing grew slightly shaky.
