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Chapter 16: Eyes that do not see, hearts that feel. Part 1

Whoever fights monsters should be careful not to become one himself. If you look into the abyss, the abyss will look into you.

-Friedrich Nietzsche-

It had been a few days since the wolf joined the Loud family. Albert and Lincoln left him in the yard and adapted the barn for the wolf's comfort. With his money, Lincoln bought an industrial refrigerator that they set up in the basement and filled it with meat for the White-Flame.

It was even better when the twins, Lisa and Lily, visited him because the great animal loved them. Lisa found the animal adorable and baptized it with the scientific name "Loud Wolf" in honor of their family name. Lincoln agreed. From now on, White-Flame was part of the family.

Lily seemed to be the closest to the wolf since she was the first one to let her ride him. Lily climbed onto the back of White-Flame. "Yes, go, White-Flame"

"Why does she always go first?" Lola asked.

"I'm the big sister now, so I have the right," Lily replied.

"Are you dreaming? You are four years old, and you think you are months older than us" Lana admonished her.

"Yes, chronologically, but I'm eleven now, and you're ten. So I'm older. So. Annn" Lily sticks her tongue out at her sisters as the wolf walks with her on his back in circles.

"When will Lisa finish the treatment to return Lily to her real age?" Lola asked, already annoyed.

"I hope soon. I'm starting to feel self-conscious about this situation." Lana received a lick from White-Flame, which encouraged her.

On the other hand, the Louds were preparing everything for the New Year's party. They invited everyone they knew—the Casagrande family, McBride, Sam, Myrtle, and Albert. But there was someone who wasn't invited this year. Luan would always take Benny, but this year that wouldn't be the case. The only good thing is that, as she learns from Robbie in their chat conversations, Benny's parents, after finding out what he did and being people who take commitment and loyalty seriously, sent Benny to live in Arizona, where his father's cousin lives—Russell, son of Martin and Vera. A former Marine, current personal trainer, and police trainer with his own military academy and YouTube channel. He trains with Russell, demonstrating his most challenging exercises with his new assistant, Benny. Although Ruby was amused to see how Russell made Benny sweat and attacked his masculinity by giving him nicknames like Princess, Little Gardener, or Miss Apple Blossom, just like he called him his training doll.

Although the Hindu girl enjoyed seeing this, Luan didn't feel the same way. Not that she feels sorry for Benny, but because the sight of him made her feel bad. That reminds her of when they were happy.

For his part, Lincoln never felt the same as before. Well, since Leni's rejection, he hasn't had the same spirit. He didn't bother preparing for the fight he was going to have in a few days.

While Mr. Loud was in the kitchen, he prepared smaller versions of the feast that would be served at a New Year's Eve party to use for tasting, thus determining which one would be served before preparing the dishes. "Son, could you come and help me in the kitchen? I'm very busy; I could use some extra hands."

"I'm coming, Dad"

The only times Lincoln could clear his mind were when he was exercising or cooking, although lately he has been more into the latter since he didn't feel like training.

"Thank you for your help, son. Can you cut the mushrooms while I marinate the meat?"

"With pleasure, dad."

"Thank you, son. This will be the best New Year's Eve the neighborhood has ever seen."

"Neighborhood? Don't you mean family?"

"No, the neighborhood. You see, for two years now, all the families in the neighborhood have come together for an elegant party on New Year's Eve. We dress up in our best clothes and wear masks. And the best thing is a New Year's kiss."

"New Year's kiss?"

"Yes, it's when you kiss the person you're dancing with. Since everyone is wearing a mask, you don't know who you kissed until one minute after midnight, and you can take off your mask. That's why, during that time, your mother won't let me separate from her."

"Kissing someone you don't know, don't you think it's risky?"

"What's life without a little risk?"

As Lincoln was chopping vegetables, there was doubt in his mind. "Dad, can I ask you something?"

"Sure, son. What's going on?"

"Like, okay. Instead of... what can you do when you love someone but their family and society, in general, don't approve of their union?"

"Uh... what's the reason for that question, son?"

"Uh... I... that's... well... to be honest..." Lincoln hesitated, not knowing what to say. 'But my suspicion was about Leni. Damn it. Why did I ask him about that?'

"Lincoln... maybe?... Are you in love?"

"What?... No!... I... I don't know..."

Mr. Loud hugged his son tightly. "Oh. My son has fallen in love. You have to tell me who she is. And what do you mean by society and their parents disapproving of them? Are they more than one? Oh. Are they the albino twins? Are you suspicious because you don't know which one to stay with? Because you can "choose both. You can move to Utah and marry there. This is where polygamy is inherited."

"No! Dad, it's not that... wait... how do you know about Utah and polygamy?"

"Lincoln. I was a teenager too. I did crazy things... a lot, actually." Mr. Loud pulled up the waistband of his pants to hide a tribal tattoo of a butterfly he had on the crease of his buttocks.

"Forget it, Dad... Forget I said anything."

Lincoln's sad face hinted at what was really going on. "Lincoln... son... maybe... have you been rejected?"