The sterile scent of St. Mary's Hospital was a jarring contrast to the smoky, ozone-laced air Kevin had breathed only moments before. He sat slumped in a worn chair beside Lily's bed, his clothes still bearing the grime of their battle on Apex Island. Aaron and Dennis, nestled in their bassinets, slept soundly, oblivious to the chaos that had preceded their arrival. Lily, exhausted but radiant, watched them with a soft smile.
"They're perfect, Kevin," she whispered, her voice raspy.
Kevin reached out, his hand dwarfing Aaron's tiny fist. "They are," he agreed, his voice thick with emotion. He couldn't shake the image of Dark Kevin's malevolent grin, the memory a cold shard in the warmth of this moment.
A nurse bustled in, her cheerful demeanor slightly strained. "Mr. Williams, there are some… gentlemen… from Homeland Security who wish to speak with you."
Kevin's jaw tightened. He'd expected this. "Send them in," he said, his voice flat. He glanced at Lily, offering a reassuring smile. "Don't worry. It's just paperwork."
Two men in dark suits entered, their faces grim and professional. Agent Sterling, the lead, extended a hand. "Mr. Williams. We appreciate you taking the time to speak with us, given the… circumstances."
Kevin shook his hand briefly. "Get to the point, Agent."
Sterling cleared his throat. "The… incident… on Apex Island. We have reports of significant energy fluctuations, structural damage… and a complete collapse of the facility."
"It was a training exercise gone wrong," Kevin said smoothly, reciting the cover story they'd prepared.
Sterling raised an eyebrow. "A training exercise that resulted in a crater in Lake Superior and required the intervention of multiple emergency services? Mr. Williams, we know there's more to this than you're letting on."
Kevin met his gaze, his expression unyielding. "I've told you everything I'm authorized to disclose, Agent." He carefully omitted any mention of Dark Kevin or the supernatural elements involved.
Sterling sighed. "We also have reports of… unusual abilities… displayed by both you and your wife." He paused, waiting for a reaction.
Kevin remained silent. He knew they couldn't prove anything. Not yet.
"Mr. Williams," Sterling continued, his voice softening slightly, "we understand you have a history of… contributing… to national security. But this… this is different. This is on a scale we haven't seen before. We need to know what happened out there, and we need to know what you're capable of."
Before Kevin could respond, Lily spoke, her voice surprisingly strong. "Agent, my husband and I just went through a traumatic experience and delivered twins. I think you'll agree that further questioning should be delayed until we've had some rest."
Sterling hesitated, then nodded curtly. "Of course, Mrs. Williams. We apologize for the intrusion. We'll be in touch." He handed Kevin a card. "Please don't hesitate to contact us if you remember anything else."
As the agents left, Kevin felt a knot of unease tighten in his stomach. They were circling, and they wouldn't give up easily. He needed to protect Lily and the babies, and that meant keeping his secrets safe.
Later that evening, as Lily slept and the twins cooed softly, Kevin slipped out of the hospital. He needed to clear his head and assess the situation. He walked to the edge of the hospital grounds, staring up at the night sky.
The city lights blurred around him, and he felt a familiar pull within, a connection to the energy that coursed through him. He closed his eyes, focusing his mind, reaching out with his telekinetic senses.
He felt it then, a faint ripple in the fabric of reality, a disturbance that sent a chill down his spine. It was coming from Apex Island, from the ruins of the fortress. Something had survived. Something dark.
He opened his eyes, his face grim. The battle was far from over. He needed to find out what was lurking in the ruins, and he needed to do it before it threatened his family.
Returning to Lily's room, he found her awake, gazing at the twins. He sat beside her, taking her hand. "I need to go back there," he said quietly. "To Apex."
Lily's eyes widened with concern. "Kevin, you can't. Not now. Not with the babies."
"I have to, Lily. I felt something… something survived. If it's what I think it is, it's dangerous. I can't risk it coming after us."
Lily squeezed his hand. "Then I'm going with you."
Kevin shook his head. "No. You need to stay here, with the babies. You need to be safe."
"And what about you, Kevin? Are you safe alone?" She looked at him, her eyes filled with determination. "We're a team, Kevin. We always have been. I'm not going to let you face this alone."
Kevin knew he couldn't argue with her. He had never been able to. He loved her strength, her unwavering loyalty. He also knew the dangers she faced, given her ability. Her courage sometimes got her in trouble, but was also sometimes their saving grace.
"Alright," he said, his voice softening. "But we need to be careful. We need to plan this. And we need to make sure the babies are safe."
They spent the next few hours making arrangements. Dorothy, Lily's mother, would stay at the hospital with the twins. Kevin contacted Leo Hayes and the Night King, asking for their assistance. He knew he couldn't face this threat alone. Their combined might was needed to face any new darkness that came their way.
As dawn approached, Kevin and Lily prepared to leave. They kissed the babies goodbye, whispering promises of their safe return. They knew they were walking into danger, but they also knew they were doing it to protect the ones they loved.
As they left the hospital, hand in hand, Kevin felt a surge of determination. He would face whatever awaited them on Apex Island. He would protect his family, no matter the cost. He called upon the power within, feeling the familiar warmth spread through his veins. He was ready.
But as they approached the ruined island, a dense fog rolled in, obscuring the landscape. A low, guttural growl echoed across the water. They were not alone.