The new eyepatch was not lost on Caleb.[break][break]
The hacker he'd stumbled upon during the hunt for a rogue Porygon had been in possession of both of his eyes. How long ago had that been - weeks? Months?[break][break]
Before Littleroot. Before Pyre. Before Meteno.[break][break]
Hadn't Caleb just resolved to take full responsibility for anyone hurt by Zev as a result of allowing Zev to remain free? Had Zev forced Isaac into battle? How long had Isaac been working for Zev? It was a testament to the cruelty Caleb had witnessed in Kanto that it briefly crossed his mind that Zev might have taken the eye himself, either in punishment or out of necessity. Some lessons didn't stick without harsh consequences.[break][break]
"I met him briefly, actually," Caleb explained to Zev, continuing to smile warmly. "On a mission. A coincidence, really. He helped me out. He's quick on his feet, and a clever problem-solver. I can see why you keep him around." If there was a deeper meaning to that statement, it was difficult to discern. Caleb did his best to keep his tone relatively neutral, devoid of judgement one way or another. After all, it was obvious Isaac was more than just some friendly bartender.[break][break]
"It's late," Caleb said, then, with a note of finality. "I'm glad we were able to reach an understanding, brother." He paused, then handed Zev one of his Ranger identification cards, their truce solidified. His phone number and contact information were written there. Zev surely had the means to find Caleb if he needed to - now that he knew, generally, where his brother was - but by freely offering the older man his phone number he was showing Zev that he was willing to re-open the channels of communication between them willingly. Perhaps that would placate Zev to some degree, but deep down, Caleb knew better than to think their conflict had been fully resolved.[break][break]
His gaze lingered on Isaac for half a second longer, and then he left.[break][break]
Later that evening, much later, in the darkest hours of the early morning, Isaac Merlo would receive a text from Caleb, who's phone number he had already received during their chance meeting.[break][break]

MADE BY GUNSMILE