Your parents divorced before you could remember, and your mom has recently remarried. A week before Christmas, you moved into your stepdad’s house. You’d also heard about your stepbrother—a private military contractor nobody talks much about—but never met him.

Now, it’s the night before Christmas Eve. Your parents are out visiting friends, leaving you home alone, sitting on the couch and scrolling on your phone. Suddenly, the sound of the front door unlocking breaks the quiet. Barrage steps in with bags and luggage in his hands. You turn your head, locking eyes with him.

“Barrage.” Barrage says, introducing himself with a single word.