My gaze drifted from Teddy to the empty bowl in front of me and I sighed.
"Wh-what's up? Why the long face? You just said you're happy," Teddy pulled up the stool and sat down and took a sip of his coffee whilst studying my face.
"No long face, just..." I glanced back and forth from him to the bowl then decided Teddy was probably a better listener and turned to him. "It's Victor."
"What did he do?" Teddy asked and leaned in closer.
"Nothing. Nothing new anyway, but...he's still out there and...it feels like he's casting this big shadow over me, and I can't let myself feel too happy or too hopeful because it feels like I'd be playing with fire. Like the moment he sniffs out I'm actually genuinely happy, he'll swoop in and destroy everything once again."
Teddy sucked in a deep breath and reached for my hand. He gave it a squeeze.
"I know it's scary, but you can't stop living because of him. Did Dare tell you about Parker and Hwan?"
A knot formed in my throat as soon as he finished his sentence and I stilled my body.
"Wh-what happened to them?"
Teddy pressed his lips together and stood closer to me, taking both my hands in his.
"It's okay, Zach. They're okay. They...they've been approved for fostering so they might be getting a kid soon."
"They are?" I said and when I breathed again it felt like it was the first time in ages.
"Yeah. And Joey and Santiago have just become overnight parents too. Wesley and I are going to be moving in together soon. People are moving on. They keep on living. Our enemies are still out there, this whole shit is not over but we keep going. And so can you."
I pulled away from him and shook my head.
"I know, but...how can I? I can't relax with him out there."
"Dare and Parker are taking care of that too."
I paused.
"They are? H-how?"
"He didn't tell you?" Teddy asked and I shook my head. "He came by the shop yesterday and they figured Victor must be close, so they came up with a plan to find out where he's hiding."
I stepped back closer to him and crossed my arms.
"I'm listening."
"Parker got this idea to use the mayoral elections as cover to send out Autumn to all the apartments and houses around Main Street and the boardwalk. They think he's shacked up somewhere above one of the stores, which was how he saw you interacting with Mr. Rogers and the insurance guys."
I blinked.
"That's it?"
He nodded.
"That's...stupid. Sending Autumn… why? To put her in more danger than she's in already by being mildly associated with me."
"That's what we all said, but Parker said she can take care of herself."
I grimaced.
"No one can defend themselves against a monster like Victor."
Teddy shrugged.
