"We need to find somewhere to hide," Abby said. "We're right out in the open."

     "I'm going with you," Gramps said. 

     "Daddy!" 

     Gramps turned visible so his family could see him. "Hi."

     Hugs all around. 

     "How'd you get here?" Abby asked. 

     "Niki dropped me off."

     "Niki? Niki, are you here?" Abby called out. 

     "She's already gone," Gramps replied. "The van?" 

     "We got tossed out of it. We're pretty sure it's smashed." 

     "Okay." Gramps surveyed his surroundings. They stood at the center of the circle of Arctic ice at the center of the continent of Technolica.

     "So why aren't you freezing?" Gramps asked them. "We're in the Arctic, and you're dressed for Seatrailia. ​I'm cold, and I've got a body that automatically adapts."

     "Come here," Abby said. "Come over here with us, Daddy. See why we're huddled."

     Gramps got it the moment he embraced his family.

     It had something to do with the child in Abby's arms, Gramps felt sure of that.

     Swaddled in pink blankets, he looked asleep, at peace.

     Yet, also, he looked comfortably warm because he ​was comfortably warm, as warm as if they were all back home. 

      The entire family stayed that warm, as long as they kept huddled with the child in Abby's arms.

     Gramps felt very grateful to the infant at that moment.

     Grateful, yet also the slightest bit apprehensive, maybe even a little intimidated.

     What in the hell has Adam given birth to this time? he thought. To look upon the child's sleeping visage was to witness pure innocence. Gramps even thought he caught a slight glow that emanated from him to encompass his family brighter and whiter than the snow, and yet...

     Technolica screamed so loud, the shock wave of it hit the family like a physical force. 

     "Aaaaagggghhh!"

     Everyone had to look.

     Gramps had to chuckle.

     "Jeez, Niki," he muttered.

     Then,

     Abby screamed as the baby she held flew out of her arms.  

CONTINUE