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“I’ve heard a lot of good things about you,” Thalia said in a hushed tone, her eyes flickering with suspicion as she glanced between the two figures before her.
“It’s great to finally see you in person,” she added tentatively, her voice laced with a mix of curiosity and unease.
Thalia couldn’t shake the feeling that there was more to these individuals than met the eye. The names Ben and Donna were familiar to her, associated with the secretive world of Darknetz. They were seldom seen, only appearing when a particular operation required their specialized skills.
Meeting Tony had been surprising enough, but it never occurred to her that the three of them were related. The truth slowly dawned upon Thalia and she was left dumbfounded. She turned her gaze to Tony, the realization sinking in. “I’ll answer any questions you have,” he said, almost anticipating her need for clarification. With nothing left to hide, Tony decided it was time to open up.
Thalia pursed her lips, feeling somewhat helpless in the presence of these children. She needed answers, so she mustered the courage to ask her burning questions. Before she could speak a word, however, Ben interjected with a nod. “Yes, it’s us,” he confirmed, as though he had already predicted her query. “So you guys are…” Thalia trailed off, unable to find the right words.
“Yeah. It’s us,” Ben replied, his tone filled with a hint of mystery. Thalia found herself at a loss for words, her beautiful eyes blinking rapidly as she struggled to comprehend the reality before her.
“What the f*ck? Are they all from the same family? Just what are they?” Thalia’s mind raced, questioning the nature of these extraordinary individuals. “This is insane! There must be something special about their genes. Wait. Don’t tell me they’re from another planet.”
Thalia, though somewhat unfamiliar with Ben and Donna, knew that Tony alone posed a significant threat. Now, with the revelation of two more extraordinary individuals, Darknetz suddenly appeared more treacherous than ever. She even began to doubt the safety of the entire internet.
“I can’t afford to offend any of them or I’ll be good as dead,” Thalia realized, the weight of the situation sinking in. She was unsure whether to feel happy for Sam, or if the dominance of these three children in Darknetz was a cause for concern.
After a few minutes of processing, Thalia reluctantly accepted the truth. She, Tony, Ben, and Donna squatted down by the road, each wearing their own unique expressions. When Thalia had finally come to terms with this newfound knowledge, she turned to Ben and Donna.
“Why is it that both of you rarely appear in the chat room?” she asked, her tone filled with understandable curiosity.
“Well, the first reason is there is not enough time. Second, I think Tony can do everything on his own. Donna and I aren’t actually interested in this anyway,” Ben explained matter-of-factly.
“Yeah. I’m not really interested in it either. It’s too boring for me. Besides, none of us will be as good as Tony, so we’ll just be in the background,” Donna chimed in, her indifference evident.Copyright Nôv/el/Dra/ma.Org.
Thalia couldn’t help but feel that they were humble-bragging, their talents subtly on display. “You guys are not interested in this, but both of you still know how to do it,” she commented, her skepticism evident.
“Um, we have a photographic memory,” Ben replied with raised eyebrows. Donna added, “Yeah. It’s as if those things are imprinted in my brain with just one look.” They seemed bothered by their own gifts, as if burdened by their exceptional abilities.
Thalia’s initial skepticism waned as she realized the extent of their intelligence. She approached them, pulling at their hair almost instinctively. Tony, unfazed, questioned her actions. “I’m trying to see if you guys are humans or aliens. Maybe someone installed some kind of chips in your heads,” Thalia explained, her mind racing with far-fetched possibilities.
“Seriously. You need to stop watching sci-fi movies,” Tony responded dismissively. Thalia, convinced of their uniqueness, turned her attention to the children. “Would you guys believe it if you were in my shoes?” she asked.
“You might say you guys got lucky, or it is just a mere coincidence that children from the same family are all equally smart, but I don’t buy any of these,” Thalia argued, her disbelief apparent.
“Why not? The world is so big, and bizarre things happen all the time. I don’t think there’s anything unbelievable about it,” Tony replied calmly. Ben nodded in agreement, supportive of Tony’s viewpoint.
Despite Thalia’s knowledge and awareness, she couldn’t shake off her unsettling feeling. It took her a long time to regain her composure. “It’s already hard enough for me to accept the fact that there’s someone as smart as Tony. I just can’t believe there are two more like him,” she admitted, her voice laden with awe.
“By the way,” Thalia spoke up suddenly, “the three of you have to hide your identities. All of you will be in grave danger if people find out who you guys are.” Thalia’s concern for their safety was evident, aware that despite their online prowess, they were still defenseless children in reality.
“Don’t worry. You’re the only one who knows about us,” Tony assured her, not the least bit afraid. Thalia’s warning seemed to have no effect on the children, as if they had already made peace with the potential risks.
“So?” Tony asked with a hint of challenge. Thalia, taken aback by their fearlessness, questioned their decision. “I suggest that you guys get some special training from Darknetz’s underground organization. It’s better to know what to do in times of emergency than just being pushed into a passive position,” she advised.
Tony had considered the idea before, especially after Nelly’s incident. However, he still hesitated, unsure of his choice. Ben, on the other hand, found himself intrigued by the prospect. He stood up and moved to sit beside Thalia.
“What special training are you talking about?” Ben inquired, his eyes shining with excitement. Thalia explained that the organization identifies and trains prodigies with exceptional talents, providing rigorous and well-rounded training tailored to individual needs.
Ben’s interest only grew, his excitement evident. “That must be really fun!” he exclaimed. Thalia, however, cautioned against underestimating the challenges. “Fun? Some kids backed out even before starting, and others were eliminated along the way. Only a select few managed to survive. They are now the creme de la creme of Darknetz,” she revealed.
“Well, they made it to the top because I wasn’t there,” Ben said with a confident smile. Thalia turned to Tony once more, seeking his permission. As the eldest, Tony’s agreement was crucial.
“Have you made up your mind?” Tony asked Ben, his brow furrowing with concern.
“Well, you’re good with computers, so I guess having you in that area is more than enough. As for me, I’m really not as invested in that domain as you are. I prefer taking up this challenge over that,” Ben answered, his resolve evident.
Tony recognized Ben’s independence and considered his own decision carefully. “What are you going to say to Mommy, then?” he questioned, aware of the potential ramifications.
Ben fell into deep thought, weighing his options. After a moment, he answered confidently, “I’m sure she will be supportive.” His alignment with Nelly’s views and conduct made it clear that she would approve of his plan. But there was still more for Ben to consider.