"...Hello?" Eran rarely got calls from unknown numbers, so he was a bit hesitant. There's no way it could be a prank from that pervert, right?

"This is Midtown police station. Is this Eran Kristiansen?" a deep voice asked from the other end.

"Yes..." Police station? Why on earth...

"We have Riley Hatheway in custody here. Because his circumstances are... you know, special, as his closest adult relative we want you to pick him up."

Who the hell is Riley Hatheway? "What did he do?"

"Don't worry, it was just a tussle and neither sides are seriously injured. Simple assault and the other party admitted to starting it."

"Oh. Ah, okay. I'm on my way."

Still confused, Eran grabbed his keys and left his apartment.

The police officer scrutinized the photo on Eran's driver's licence, then scrutinized the man himself. He peered at the birth date, then peered at Eran even harder. Finally, he put a clipboard on the desk and curtly said, "Here."

"Riley! Your cousin's here," another officer said in a faux-gruff voice as Eran scribbled some lines on the paper. He walked over to Eran.

"It's about time a relative showed up," the officer at the desk said gruffly. "Maybe he'll stay on the straight and arrow."

Eran stepped around the desk to see The Wallet Thief. Riley smiled sheepishly as Eran clicked his tongue in irritation. Without saying a word, Eran turned around and began to walk out, so Riley used the chance to escape the officer's hard, but well-meaning stare.

Once outside the station, Eran took a look at Riley. There was a small cut on his lip and his dark hair was slightly messy.

"My dear little cousin," Eran smirked threateningly as he forcefully slapped Riley's bruised arm in mock friendliness. Riley's deep-set eyes darted, giving away his intention to escape the punishment he could sense was coming. But Eran was fast and with a grab of the arm, a twist of the hand, and a kick to the back of the knee, the teen ended up on the ground, staring up at Eran in disbelief. Suddenly, Riley laughed. Eran sighed thinking, What strange kid. Well, I guess that's enough. I should drive him home. I wonder what the other kids looked like. And where are they? I guess their parents—

"Thanks," Riley said, standing up.

Eran looked up at him, feeling a mix of forgiveness and envy. He seems sincere but damn, how tall is he? "I'll," Eran began while gesturing towards his car with his keys, but Riley had already dashed off. Frozen in that pose, Eran watched Riley leave, feeling shocked by the suddenness of it. For a brief moment, the teenager slowed and ran backwards to wave and grin.

Riley disappeared and Eran unfroze. His thoughts about the boy and the event were such a mess that he drove home blankly.

When he parked at his apartment, the memory of Riley's every expression, word, and action came flooding through. Was he teasing me by running off like that? Or maybe is he embarrassed by his home? Where are his parents? Why is he so unusual? Why is he so freaking tall? Why does he... The beep of someone else's car alarm snapped Eran out of his stupor. He looked around at the familiar cars, only then realizing he had already arrived home.