The one referred to as 'Jeff' merely sighed in response.

"Starting to." he said. "Maybe another week or so before things normalize." he continued. "Well... as close to normal as things can possibly get." he then clarified.

"Thanks for asking." he said further with a small smile.

"At any rate, everyone get in and buckle up." he then told them, to which Zach promptly did so, while Jeff put the luggage in the trunk.

"Feel free to help yourselves to the refreshments and food." he finished.

Zach was looking at the spread they had, wide-eyed.

"Woooooah." he said.

"This is even better than first class on the plane!" he commented.

"Just... wow!" he exclaimed.

"Sure, I could eat." he then told her.

"All this is for us?" he then asked, not wanting to take anything he wasn't allowed to.

Zach did as he was told, and sure enough, it happened.

"Woah!" he exclaimed again, as Jeff chuckled and started the vehicle.

A decent drive later, they pulled into the parking lot of a large office-like building, and Zach looked out the window.

"The Unit?" he asked.

"The Unit." Jeff confirmed.

"Sharp's waiting for you both." he told them.

Zach nodded as he grabbed his things.

"I'm ready." he said.

"And... a small hiccup?" he asked.

"Like... like what?" he asked further, as they approached the building.

"Am I going to be in trouble?" he then inquired, and she could see he was getting progressively more nervous and uneasy.

"I don't want to cause trouble here..." he said quietly.

"......oh." Zach replied, as they entered the security check area.

And Rylie saw someone behind a newspaper.

Which was when Zach heard a weird 'sst' sound.

"....hey, Rylie." Jake greeted the woman.

"I assume that's Zachary?" he then asked.

"I can tell it's you." Jake responded.

"I can also smell Zachary's nervousness." he went on.

"Like wary prey." he said further, causing Zach to freeze up.

"And now the prey has realized he is in the sights of the predator." Jake then added, which caused Zach to almost panic.

"....excitable sort, isn't he?" the guard inquired with a chuckle.

Zach nervously stepped forward and shakily handed Jake his ID.

Jake's hand took it, checked it behind the newspaper, and then returned it, along with a badge on a lanyard.

"All right, in you both go." he said, pressing a button and causing the door to unlock.

"Oh, and kid?" he then addressed Zach.

"Loosen up a bit." he said, lowering his paper and revealing his reptile eyes.

"See ya!" Jake called back, as Zach hurriedly followed Rylie.

He was silent as he did so, looking around somewhat nervously.

"...miss Rylie?" he then addressed her.

"Was... was he serious?" he asked.

"I mean... about... the predator and prey thing?" he asked further.

"He seemed ready to do something... nasty..."

"....I... I see." he said.

"I... I... hm." he then mumbled, shaking his head a little.

"I'll... remember that." he told her.

"I can see why he's security, though." he then said.

"He seems good at his job."

Zach paused for a moment.

"Reptilian?" he asked.

"....as in... he's like a reptile?" he asked her.

"Or... he's one of those creatures that conspiracy theorists always blame for everything that happens in the world?" he then asked further.

"I don't even know what's real anymore... I don't know WHAT to believe..." he admitted.