157. PINE STREET.
69 Mimic. 10:12 pm.
The bar hummed with a strange balance of noise and tension—where power met pressure.
Stephen stood poised beside the pool table, cue stick in hand, his stance sharp, deliberate. Opposite him, his opponent exuded quiet menace, a man in a tailored suit, every accessory catching the dim light like calculated weapons of charm.
At the bar, Antonio leaned back with practiced ease, nursing a drink while charming a pair of elegant older women—the type who looked like they owned half the city's real estate. Their laughter lingered in the smoky air, rich and knowing.
Stephen crouched low, eyes narrowing on the eight ball. The room seemed to contract around him, all noise fading into silence as he lined up his shot. Across from him, the suited stranger straightened to his full height, both hands wrapped around the cue.
"What did you say your name was again?", the stranger asked, his tone casual.
"The name is Stephen.", Stephen answered.
"Stephen huh?, that name sounds familiar.", the stranger stated ominously.
Stephen's grip on the cue tightened, though his expression stayed measured.
"I don't think we've met before.", he replied carefully, his tone steady but edged with suspicion. He tilted his head, eyes narrowing on the suited man.
"What's your name?".
"Oh me? My name is Jerome.", Jerome replied, Stephen pushed the cue sliding forward in one clean motion. The eight ball rolled across the table, sinking cleanly into the corner pocket.
Stephen straightened, meeting the man's gaze without hesitation.
A low chuckle drifted from the shadows. Another figure emerged from the edge of the bar, his presence carrying an unsettling weight.
"The man's a natural.", the stranger confessed as he stepped closer, his eyes fixed on Stephen with a mix of admiration.
From the next table, another voice cut through, carrying a taunting edge. The man leaned back in his chair, pool cue resting casually across his lap.
"Yeah... you haven't lost a game in seven years Jerome.", His smirk deepened as he raised his glass.
"But who would've thought it would end today?",
The stranger slung an arm across Jerome's shoulder like they'd known each other for years.
"Looks like you owe him a drink, J-boy.", he said, with a sharp grin his face.
Jerome brushed the man's arm off with a half-smirk, half-snarl.
"Yeah-yeah...whatever.",
Then, raising his glass high, his voice boomed across the room.
"Drinks on me, everybody!",
The bar erupted—cheers, whistles, and the clatter of glasses slamming against counters. Heads turned, conversations broke, and for a moment the whole place bent to Jerome's orbit.
Stephen left the pool table with sharp steps, his eyes narrowing as he cut through the haze of chatter. At the bar counter, Antonio was mid-conversation, casually leaning as a few women laughed softly at something he said. The sound of their giggles clung to the air, light and careless.
"Just one weekend in dríopia, and we spend time to—Oh...here he is ladies.", Antonio cut off, his gaze fixated on Stephen.
"When you say things like that, I get a little worried.", Stephen said, a sly edge to his voice.
"Now don't worry, let's sit and have drink.", Antonio said smoothly.
Stephen pulled the bar stool out in front of him, and sat on it. "Good evening ladies.", Stephen greeted.
"Hey, it's nice to meet you—I'm Gloria.", Gloria greeted in return.
"I'm Stephen—nice to meet you.", Stephen responded, Antonio pushed back from the bar stool, rising with an ease that carried quiet weight. He slipped behind the counter, where the bartender waited, their low voices weaving into the hum of the room. Across the bar, Stephen leaned in closer to the women, his words laced with charm, their laughter spilling into the thick air.
"So, meet my girls — Alicia, Mbali, and Serena.", Gloria said, flashing a quick grin as she pointed them out one by one.
"Nice to meet you, ladies. How about we order a few drinks?", Stephen suggested with an inviting smile.
"Already taken care of.", Antonio replied, reappearing from behind the counter with a faint smirk.
"That was quick.", Stephen stated cunningly.
"Yeah well—you just move slow.", Antonio responded playfully.
A bartender stepped forward—his mild fade neat against medium-length hair, sharp green eyes glinting under the low light. Dressed in an exclusive suit, he carried a wide platter balanced with cognac and champagne. With ease, he set it down on the bar counter, then lifted the champagne bottle in hand, ready to serve.
"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen.", the bartender announced with a confident smile. "Allow me to present—San El Zorro's finest joy.", He held the champagne aloft with pride.
Gloria and her friends clapped joyfully in unison, as they cheered on for the bartender's presentation.
"Well then...let's get this party started!", Antonio declared, snatching up the champagne bottle. With a swift twist, it popped open.
CRYSTAL AVENUE
10:13 pm.
Meanwhile... back in Stephen's mansion, Katherine froze, her body rigid as the red sensor light continued to glow ominously. "Jason!", she called, her voice trembling, fear gnawing at her.
Jason rushed inside from the backyard, concern etched across his face. "Kathy—what's wrong?", he asked, stepping closer, his hand reaching out to comfort her.
"There's somebody outside the house, but i don't know who it is.", Katherine responded, with a wavering tone.
"Oh...how do you know that there's someone outside?", Jason asked.
"The sensor light is still on.", Katherine stated, her finger trembling as she pointed toward it.
"Want me to go check it out?", Jason asked softly.
"No it's too dangerous, it's best if we use the surveillance system.", Katherine suggested.
"Alright, let's g—", Jason began, but his words were cut off by the sound of the doorknob turning.
("Who the fuck is this?"), Katherine thought, panic rising.
("This is bad... there's kids here."), Jason worried silently.
Then, shockingly, Tokyo opened the door and stepped inside. A huge sigh of relief escaped Katherine's lips.
But a chill ran through her—Tokyo didn't know who Jason was, and that thought made her stomach tighten.
"Hey Tokyo, how was your day?", Katherine greeted.
"Hey... it was alright.", Tokyo said cautiously, her eyes flicking to Jason. "Who's that?", Tokyo asked, pointing.
"Oh... this is Jason.", Katherine replied quickly. Jason stepped closer to Tokyo.
"Hey there, kiddo. I'm your father's brother—nice to meet you.", he greeted, extending his hand.
"That's funny, because my father never mentioned having a brother.", Tokyo stated confidently.
"Your father can be stubborn sometimes.", Jason said with a gentle smile. "But I'm your uncle—from the Glover's. You and I...we're family.",
Tokyo stayed quiet, her gaze sharp and probing. She looked at Jason and felt an immediate sense of unease. Then her eyes shifted to Katherine, studying her as if she sensed something was wrong—but had no proof.
"So, he just came to visit your father, honey.", Katherine said, smiling warmly.
"[Scuffs] Whatever...I'm going to my room.", Tokyo responded as she walked away.
"She's just like her father.", Jason mumbled undertone.
"Yeah.", Katherine replied, with a light giggle.
"Looks like Stephen's running late. Guess I should head out.", Jason remarked.
"Alright then... no problem. I'll just let him know you stopped by.", Katherine said, her voice even, though her fingers gripped tighter against her side.
"Thanks. Shame I missed Lucas though... nineteen years is a long time.", Jason said casually, though the weight of the years lingered in the air.
"Time flies.", Katherine replied softly, her smile steady though her shoulders stayed tense.
"[Chuckles] Yeah—anyway, I should get going. It was lovely meeting you.", Jason said, already turning toward the entrance door with an easy stride.
"Thanks, lovely meeting you too. Safe travels.", Katherine replied evenly, her smile fixed in place as she stood by, watching him step out into the night.
Katherine walked to the front door, pausing by the wall-mounted CCTV screen. Her eyes stayed locked on the monitor as she watched Jason's figure leave through the front gate. She lingered there, studying the empty frame for a few seconds before finally turning back toward the kitchen.
Inside, she moved with quietly— pulling plates from the cupboard, setting them neatly on the counter. One hand held a dish, the other spooned out steaming chicken curry, portion by portion, until every plate was filled. She slid one into the oven to keep warm, then dusted her hands off and marched into the living room.
Mila and Akirá sat curled on the baby chair, giggling at the cartoon on the screen. Katherine picked up the remote, flipping the channel to the evening news. A weather presenter in San El Zorro gestured toward shifting storm patterns, while the babies burst into laughter again, entertained by the sudden change of pace. Katherine's lips tugged into a small, distracted smile.
She set up two small feeding stations, then returned to scoop up Akirá, placing him gently into his chair. Mila followed next, bibs fastened, a bowl placed carefully in front of them. The kitchen filled with the clatter of spoons and the bubbling chatter of hungry children.
"Okay, little ones — I'm going upstairs for just a moment. Wait here for mommy.", Katherine said brightly, her tone cheery.
Katherine left Mila and Akirá settled in the kitchen, their soft baby chatter trailing behind her as she crossed toward the staircase. She climbed steadily, each step echoing faintly in the quiet house, until she reached Tokyo's bedroom door. For a moment she paused there, her hand hovering, listening to the silence inside. Then she knocked gently on the wood door.
"Hey, Tokyo?", Katherine called, her voice warm but measured. "Supper's ready. I left your plate on the counter.",
"Okay, I'll be down in a minute.", Tokyo replied from behind the door, her tone even, unreadable.
Katherine lingered a second longer, then turned and made her way back downstairs. In the kitchen, Mila and Akirá waited patiently in their chairs, their small hands drumming against the trays. Katherine slipped into her seat between them, gently guiding spoons of curry toward eager mouths, the warmth of the moment folding around her like a fragile shield against the night's unease.
Tokyo laid flat on her bed, the glow of her LED lights stretching in neat lines across the ceiling. Hanging plants swayed gently from hooks and shelves, their shadows spilling across the walls in soft green silhouettes. From the corner of the room, a small radio whispered mellow tunes, filling the air with quiet rhythm.
Her gaze wandered upward, tracing the tiny stars scattered across her ceiling — shifting colors from the galaxy lamp perched by the dresser. The ceiling shimmered with purples and blues, a private sky she could call her own. Tokyo breathed out slowly, letting the light wash over her as though she were floating in her own universe.
Tokyo rested one hand across her forehead, A quiet thought slipped through her mind—("I wonder what Abigail's up to right now?"), She exhaled slowly, the weight of the day pressing against her chest, before reaching for her phone on the nightstand. Unlocking it, she scrolled into her messages and began to type.
* Hey Abi, where are you girl? *, she sent, her thumb lingering on the screen.
Her thoughts refusing to settle, as she laid on her bed. The glow of her galaxy lamp painted the ceiling in shifting colors, but even its calm couldn't ease the unease tugging at her. She had enjoyed her time with her friends earlier—laughter, lightness, a rare sense of freedom—but now an ominous feeling lingered at the edge of her mind, heavy and unshakable.
With a sharp breath, she brushed it off, forcing herself to move. Pushing up from the mattress, she swung her legs over the side and stood. Her steps were steady but brisk as she left her room, the door clicking softly shut behind her.
She marched downstairs, the faint hum of voices and clatter from the kitchen guiding her. Sliding into the warm light, she reheated her food, the smell of curry filling the air. The plate in her hand, she carried it to the dining table and took her seat among the family. The rhythm of shared conversation and laughter wrapped around her as she began to eat—though the shadow of that uneasy feeling lingered, just out of reach.
West District.
Amber Valley. 10:27 pm.
Ashley's room was quiet, but her presence filled the silence with an almost electric weight, while the clock on wall—being the only sound made in the room. She sat at her office desk across from Lucas, the faint hum of the desktop monitor casting a soft glow over them. Lucas leaned forward, pen scratching against the page of his notebook, his brow furrowed in thought.
Ashley, meanwhile, watched him intently—her gaze tracing the curve of his concentration, the rhythm of his writing, the subtle confidence in the way he carried himself. She twirled a strand of her Afro hair around her finger, the movement absentminded but deliberate, her thoughts louder than the room itself.
("Why hasn't he made a move yet?"), she wondered, a flicker of impatience and curiosity sparking through her chest.
Lucas suddenly paused, his pen freezing mid-word. He set it down and lifted his eyes to the monitor, the glow reflecting in them.
Lucas's voice cut through the stillness.
"Do you know the answer to pi?", he asked suddenly, his tone calm but sharp, breaking the silence like glass.
Ashley blinked, caught off guard. For a moment, she only stared at him, her twirling finger pausing in her hair. Then, a small smirk tugged at the corner of her lips.
"Depends.", she replied softly, leaning back in her chair. "Do you mean the actual number... or the meaning behind it?",
Lucas's eyes shifted from the monitor to her, studying her reaction as if he were testing something—something more than just math.
He chuckled, leaning back in his chair. "I mean the infinite one. The number that never ends. Like chasing something you'll never quite reach.",
"Well its pretty complicated to explain—though I'll try to make it simple.", Ashley stated, her gaze heavy on Lucas.
He tilted his head, intrigued. "Complicated but simple... I think I like where this is going.", he responded.
Ashley leaned forward just slightly, lowering her voice. "Pi is endless. It keeps going, circling back but never repeating. Kind of like... temptation. You get close, you think you've figured it out, but then it slips further away.",
Lucas chuckled, his eyes never leaving hers. "So what you're saying is... if I keep calculating long enough, I might actually catch it?",
Her smirk widened as she rested her jaw on her hand. "Or you'll just get lost in it. That's the fun part.",
He rested his elbow on the desk, chin on his fist, while smiling faintly. "You're dangerous, you know that?",
Ashley's eyes glimmered as she giggled joyfully. "Only if you're not brave enough to keep counting.",
Lucas smirked, leaning closer, his tone low.
"Guess it's a good thing I've got patience—and a stubborn streak. I don't stop just because it gets harder.",
Her laughter softened into something slower, almost knowing.
"Careful.", Ashley murmured, eyes lingering on him. "Numbers don't lie... but people do. Sometimes the chase is more dangerous than the answer.",
"Anyway...", Ashley said lightly, though her gaze still held his, "we should probably get back to these notes before pi turns into a whole philosophy class.",
Lucas chuckled, nodding as he tapped the page in front of him. "Yeah, wouldn't want to lose track of time.",
The room fell into a quiet rhythm again—the scratch of his pen, the faint hum of the computer, the steady tick of the clock on the wall. But beneath the silence, something new hung between them.
Ashley lowered her eyes to the desk, pretending to focus, though her thoughts were restless. Lucas's expression stayed unreadable as he wrote, but his hand slowed ever so slightly, as if his mind had wandered elsewhere.
The clock ticked once more. Then twice. The tension stayed unspoken—lingering and waiting.