"Hey, Lander! What's taking you so long?" listening to Johnson calling, Alwin's patience was waning, he sternly ordered his son, "Get in the car, son."
Seeing the tension between the father and son, Mary stepped out of the driver's seat and walked towards Ace, intending to persuade him to trust his father. But before she could try and mediate, she heard him relent, "Yes, sir."
After seating Ace in the back, Alwin opened the garage door and waited for his wife to drive out before closing it. With a final glance at their house, Alwin took the driver's seat while Mary moved to the passenger side.
Seeing the Landers' car in the driveway, the Johnsons took the lead in their SUV while the Landers followed. Ace glanced at the neighborhood from the back seat of the Camry. The blazing wildfires in the hill cast an ominous shadow on it, but he could not tell the dark smoke apart from the roaring dark clouds that refused to rain. However, his lungs and eyes felt the smoke.
While on the street, Ace noticed that many other residents had the same idea as Mr Johnson and his father. Fortunately, everyone remained civil despite the missing local authorities and did not let the panic breed chaos. Otherwise, they would all be stuck on the streets instead of being on the free roads or in the safety of their homes.
Earlier, back in the garage, Ace backed down because Dame Wasp's latest report proved his father's instinct correct,
> MountainOfSwords has retreated.
> MountainOfSwords claims that Crimson-eyes cheated.
> Other members of CIB set up an array formation and aid Crimson-eyes to kill MountainOfSwords.
> This round, CIB won.
> MountainOfSwords has warned Steal Song Society members to cease all illegal activities and temporarily go into hiding.
> Steal Song Society members have agreed to lay low.]
Ace was relieved that the battle between two Sky-Tier curse masters had concluded but was dissatisfied with the CIB. They blatantly disregarded the lives of the citizens in the neighborhood and prioritized their agenda.
There was no need for Crimson-eyes to provoke MountainOfSwords by killing Bane1.
Then, other members of the CIB chose to help Crimson-eyes fight MountainOfSwords instead of protecting the neighborhood.
The result of their actions was even more disappointing. They risked the lives of thousands of residents and failed to defeat MountainOfSwords. Hopefully, now that their hands were free, CIB would focus on subduing the wildfires and save what's left of the neighborhood.
Ace couldn't help but shudder with dread, wondering what would happen if MountainOfSwords didn't escape but opted to destroy the neighborhood at the risk of his life. Meanwhile, Ace forced his parents to hide in the basement, trusting CIB to handle the situation. The consequences would have been dire. Things worked out this time, but he can't rely on luck every time.
Soon, the Landers and Johnsons made it out of the town. With local cops busy assisting the CIB and Firefighters subduing the wildfire on the hills, they were blessed with not running into the local authorities. After reaching the highway, they separated and headed their ways. With a long line of cars behind them, they didn't get to say a proper goodbye.
"We are far from the thunderstorm. The worst is behind us," Alwin announced, and looking at his son's reflection in the rearview mirror, he said, "Son, you did well today."
"No, Dad. I was wrong," Ace admitted.
"Ace, look at me," Alwin locked eyes with his son through the rearview mirror for a moment and added, "Who is right or wrong doesn't matter. You were thinking about your family. Now that's what counts."
"..." Seeing his father not blame him for questioning his judgment and instead try to cheer him, Ace felt guilty.
"Ace, one cannot be right every time—"
"Keep telling yourself that," Mary interjected, cutting off Alwin.
"Did you have to interrupt me? Can't you see I'm having a moment with our son?" Alwin exclaimed in disbelief. He couldn't believe his wife would do that.
"I am never wrong, and don't you two forget that," Mary warned her husband and son.
"Really?" Alwin challenged.
"Yes, name one instance when I was wrong?" Mary demanded, unwilling to let it go until her husband agreed she was never wrong.
"What about when I wanted to buy the farmland next to my brother's ranch, but you insisted on the house instead? Now, that farmland's worth 60 times more while we're unsure if your house survived the wildfire," Alwin instantly pointed out.
"Wow, you had that one locked and loaded, didn't you," Mary said grudgingly. Then she continued, "We've been over this countless times, Alwin."
"Guys, time out. We've all been through a stressful day and are on edge, so let's enjoy each other's company in silence, agreed?" Ace spoke up before his father could aggravate his mother further.
An awkward silence hung in the car, turning their most thrilling and memorable ride ever into an uncomfortable one. They just escaped a thunderstorm and a wildfire, they should be celebrating for goodness' sake.
'How did a pep talk between father and son pivot into a couple's fight?' As Ace attempted to make sense of what had just transpired, he heard an eerie murmur echoing, repeating, 'Are we there yet? Are we there yet? Are we there yet?...'
With the whispers came a sharp chill in the car. Ace noticed a small, 2 ft tall Curseling, resembling a red gremlin, moving from his mother's lap toward the driver's footwell, reaching for the accelerator while murmuring, 'Are we there yet? Are we there yet? Are we there yet?...'
Ace's parents seemed oblivious to the presence of the gremlin-like Curseling, not noticing its actions or hearing its whispers. Fearing the worst, Ace yelled, "Dad, stop the car. I need to pee."
"Hold it in. There's a gas station a few miles from here. You can pee there," Alwin replied.
"No, I can't hold it. Dad, stop the car, or I'll pee in my pants," Ace urgently pleaded, noticing the Curseling slowly near the accelerator.