As Max walked toward the Martinez residence, he noticed a shadow on the roof. His pupils constricted slightly before he calmly raised his head and met Nia's gaze.

Though there was quite some distance between them, he could vaguely see her pale face and trembling eyelashes—clearly, his act of killing the trio had scared her.

Sighing in his heart, he entered the residence. Arriving in the living room, he gestured toward the couch, "Please take a seat." before taking a seat himself.

"Phew! That was brutal, man." Tom plopped on the couch and exhaled a deep breath.

Hank stared at Max nervously, but seeing Max didn't seem offended by his son's careless comment, he felt relieved and took a seat with Harman.

"How did you know I was here instead of my home?" Max asked, curious.

When he came over in the morning, he did so without telling Natalie, Sophie and Emily. So, it wasn't them who could've told them. Besides, he had glanced over at his house after taking care of the trio, but didn't see them, meaning they were probably unaware of Tom's group's presence.

So, how did they know?

Tom glanced at Harman and said, "You remember I used to mention the kind old man, he is him, Harman. He told us you would be here and he is also the reason we came over to meet you."

"Oh?" Max looked at the old man, surprised and confused.

Harman stared at Max for a few moments before he took a deep breath and said, "As to not waste your time, young man, let me tell you everything straight. In my life, I have only ever had dreams on four occasions…"

Max listened calmly, not showing any surprise or reacting in any way.

"...This morning, I had the fourth dream where I saw people dying miserable deaths. Tommy here, Hank, his family and my wife… all died."

As Harman said this, his expression was grim and filled with heartache.

After a pause, he exhaled, looked at Max and continued, "However, in my dream, I saw you… and I felt you had the means to ensure our survival. So, I had Tom and Hank bring me here."

"I understand." Max nodded, "But what I don't understand is… Why do you think I would take up your burden when my hands are already full with ensuring my family's safety?"

Tom's expression fell when he heard this. From his response, he realized, to his surprise, that unlike them, he believed Harman and just like the old man had said, he, indeed, had the means to ensure their survival… if he wanted to that is.

He wanted to tell him that he was his best friend, but something told him to keep his mouth shut.

Besides…

He looked at Harman.

Since the old man insisted on coming to meet him, he definitely had a way to make him agree because not one time he gave the impression that he was relying on their friendship.

Just as he expected, Harman said, "I have some information… I'm sure after hearing this, you wouldn't mind helping us."

"Is that so?" Max frowned in thought.

What information could he have that would make him take up on their burden? Did it have something related to his father?

"Alright. Lay it on me." Max said.

Harman nodded and said, "It's about your mother…"

BOOM!

An explosion went off in his mind and his heart started racing.

"My… mother?" He muttered, his gaze becoming vacant.

He instinctively knew the mother the old man was talking about wasn't Emily, but his real mother, Sarah, who had left them when he was just a kid.

John never told him the reason and every time he asked, he would become upset. So, after a time, he stopped asking and after he married Emily and some more time passed, his memories of her gradually turned blurry.

It's been years since the last time he thought about her, but now that he was doing it, those blurry memories returned and gradually cleared up. He remembered how she looked, how warm and comforting her presence was, how she would play with him, tell him stories at night and take him to the school.

Suddenly, he was missing her again.

Taking a deep breath, he said, "Sorry, I spaced out for a bit. Please continue."

Harman nodded and carefully said, "Your mother is in the Governor's mansion, but she is in danger because today, right before the sunset, some people will attack the mansion and will kill everyone there."

'Governor's mansion?' Max muttered under his breath, his eyes darkening.

After a moment, he took a breath and looked at Harman, "Thank you for telling me this."

Harman nodded without saying anything.

Max then looked at Tom, who was sitting there, clutching his shoulder, "How is the injury?"

"Not too bad." Tom winced even as he said this. Max smiled before asking, "What about Aunt Marie, and Jasmine, how are they?"

"They are good. Thanks to Ol' Harman, we managed to stock up some supplies before shit hit the fan, so we have been good." Tom answered.

"That's good to hear." Max nodded before shifting his gaze to Hank, "Hello, Uncle Hank. Sorry, I couldn't greet you before."

"It's alright, Max." Hank forced a laugh. His mind was still reeling from the scene of him killing those three like it was his everyday job.

Max could see through him, but he didn't say anything about it and instead asked, "So, when do you plan to move here?"

"Huh? Here?" Hank asked.

"Yeah." Nodded Max, "Your current location is too far away from me to protect you guys. So, you need to be living closer to me, if you still want me to take care of your and the old man's families."

"I don't have a problem moving today itself, but I'll need protection on the way." Harman stated.

Max nodded and looked at Hank, who after a moment's silence, also said, "We can move whenever, but you'll need to accompany us because the danger will be more when his Mom and Jesse are with us."

Max nodded in understanding and stood up, "I'll tell you when I can help you move after returning. Until then, you can enjoy some sun in the garden in the back if you want."

"O-Oh, sure, we will do that." Hank nodded and their trio walked out of the residence. After they left, Max went upstairs and toward Nia and Juan's room.

Knock! Knock!

Lightly knocking on the door, he called out, "It's me."

Creak~

A few moments later, Nia opened the door.

"H-Hi, Max. What is it?" She asked in a subdued, timid voice while forcing a smile on her face which looked very unnatural.

Seeing this, Max sighed.

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