West District.
Amber Valley. 11:00 pm.
Slow blues drifted through the room. Galaxy lights shimmered across the walls, and a small fish tank whispered with the sound of bubbling water.
Lucas hadn't moved since he arrived—finishing the last of his work, still as stone. Ashley sat beside him, scrolling and typing on her phone, her screen lighting her face in soft pulses.
A knock came at the door.
Soft at first—then firmer.
Ashley and Lucas exchanged a quick look. The knock came again, sharper this time. Ashley flinched; Lucas didn't. He just kept watching her.
"You going to get that?", Lucas asked, his voice low, unbothered.
"Why don't get it?", Ashley shot back, her voice tight—hurried, a little scared.
The knocking didn't stop. It came again, steady this time, like whoever was on the other side wasn't planning to leave.
"It's your house...", Lucas responded, his tone was casual, almost teasing.
"Yeah—but I'm scared.", Ashley confessed, her voice shrinking to a whisper.
"OK.", Lucas said quietly, pushing himself up from his seat.
He walked toward the door. Once he reached it, he leaned in and peeped through the peephole.
A man stood outside—still. A delivery bag hung from his shoulder, and long curls fell over his face, hiding his eyes.
"Hey, Ashley.", Lucas said, glancing back at her. "Did you order some pizza?",
Ashley blinked, then gasped lightly. "Oh yeah!... I totally forgot I ordered pizza.",
She jolted from her seat, phone still in hand, and hurried toward the door—her steps quick, like she wanted to shake off the tension that had just filled the room.
Once she reached the door beside Lucas, she unlocked it and pulled it open.
Cold air drifted in from the hallway.
The man with the delivery bag stood there, motionless—his curls still hiding his face. He didn't speak.
"Hey, how are you?", Ashley greeted, forcing a kind tone.
The man didn't respond. Instead, he reached into the delivery bag and pulled out two large pizza boxes, holding them out toward them
"That'll be twenty bucks.", the man said finally, his tone lazy—almost unbothered, like nothing around him mattered.
Ashley fumbled in her bag for her wallet, glancing nervously at Lucas. Lucas just watched the man silently, his expression unreadable.
"Damn—you're not gonna greet back?", Lucas asked, his brow slightly furrowed.
"Do you have twenty bucks or not?", the man's tone was suddenly more aggressive.
"[Tsk] Whatever, Here's twenty bucks.", Ashley muttered, finally handing him the money.
The man accepted it silently, placing the two pizza boxes into her hands. Without another word, he turned and walked away, his curls still hiding his face as he disappeared down the alleyway.
"What the fuck is his problem?", Lucas asked, tilting his head, curiosity mixing with mild annoyance.
Ashley shook her head.
"Doesn't matter—let's go.", she said, closing the door behind her with a soft click.
They made their way back into her bedroom. Ashley set the pizza boxes on her nightstand with a soft thud.
Lucas returned to his seat, sliding in quietly, and simply sat there, eyes fixed somewhere between the room and the closed door, as if replaying the strange encounter in his mind.
"Hey... don't think too hard.", Ashley said, settling beside him. "We should take a rest.",
"Don't worry about it.", Lucas replied, his eyes still fixed on the papers before him. "Just gonna complete the work—then I'll leave.",
Ashley let out a quiet sigh, watching him for a moment.
"No—how about we watch a movie together?", Ashley suggested, her tone light. She nudged the laptop slightly toward him, a small smile playing on her lips.
"I don't know...", Lucas said hesitantly.
"Awe, come on—it'll be fun.", Ashley interrupted, a teasing smile tugging at her lips.
"OK... what are we going to watch?", Lucas asked, finally letting himself be drawn into her enthusiasm.
"Don't worry about it.", Ashley replied, "I'll pick a movie—but first, I'm gonna take a shower.", She reached behind her door and grabbed her towel, draping it over her arm.
"Alright, guess I'm going to wait for you.", Lucas said confidently, settling back into his chair.
"Yeah—I guess you will.", Ashley replied with a small smile—making her way into the bathroom, the towel draped over her arm swinging lightly as she disappeared behind the door.
157. PINE STREET.
69 MIMIC. 10:53 PM.
The music was barely audible in their presence, drowned out by the harsh glare of the lights that sliced across the room. Tension crackled in the air, thick and unrelenting.
Stephen sat still as a statue, eyes locked on Adriana. She—sassy and brimming with excitement—held his gaze without flinching. For a long, heated moment, they just stared at each other, the silence speaking louder than any words. Eventually.
"Hey.", Stephen said, his voice low.
"Hey.", Adriana replied, her tone matching his—playful, yet charged with a hint of daring.
"What are you doing here?", Stephen asked, his words sharp and direct now, as if he had finally sobered up.
"I could ask you the same thing.", Adriana replied, her eyes scanning him from head to toe, a teasing glint in her gaze that matched her confident smile.
"Well, I came here with Antonio.", Stephen stated confidently, his posture straightened.
"Oh really?...then where is he?", Adriana asked, tilting her head slightly.
Stephen looked around, his eyes scanning the room. "Oh shit... we probably got separated when we were trying to leave.", he said, a mix of embarrassment and nonchalance in his tone.
Adriana let out a light giggle. "Yeah, sure.", she replied, her eyes sparkling with amusement.
"So...How've you been?", Stephen asked, his tone softening slightly,
"I've been trying—you know, but I can't seem to... adjust.", Adriana stated, her gaze drifting for a moment before returning to meet his eyes, a trace of vulnerability hidden beneath her usual sass.
"So... you decided to adjust in Luci's home?", Stephen replied cunningly, a sly smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.
"What?... besides, Six-Nine is way better than just sleeping at home.", Adriana responded, a teasing lilt in her voice. "And how about you? How've you been?",
"I would be lying if I said I was alright.", Stephen replied, his voice steady, though a hint of weariness lingered. "But a man's gotta do... what a man has to do.",
"And does that man go to a fucked-up club, knowing he's a married man?", Adriana stated, a playful smirk tugging at her lips.
"Clubbing has nothing to do with marriages.", Stephen said, his grin faint but deliberate.
Then—suddenly—the crowd erupted. Shouts and laughter filled the air as the DJ hyped them up, the bass pounding through the floor. Lights strobed across their faces, cutting the tension between them for just a moment.
Adriana laughed softly, "This isn't just any club—this is THE CLUB.", Adriana stated. As she held her gaze on Stephen.
"Well, since we're in 'The Club', how about this married man treats you to a drink?", Stephen asked smoothly, sliding effortlessly between charm and challenge.
"Sure.", Adriana replied, a curious smile tugging at her lips.
"But let's get out of here.", Stephen suggested.
"What! I just got here—do you know how long i had to wait in line?", Adriana responded, a playful pout forming as she crossed her arms.
"Just trust me, Adriana.", Stephen said, as he began to march his way to the exit.
Adriana hesitated at first, a playful frown crossing her face, but eventually she started following him.
She caught up with Stephen, and together they made their way out of 69 Mimic. Once outside, Stephen paused, scanning the area with sharp, calculating eyes, taking in the chaotic streets and flickering neon lights.
"So, where are we going?", Adriana asked, curiosity lacing her tone.
"Tommy's, remember it?", Stephen replied.
"Awe... I remember that place. It was the first time we met.", Adriana said, leaning in closer to him. Stephen's gaze softened as she wrapped her arms around his, a quiet warmth settling between them amidst the cool night air.
But Stephen forgot one thing—he had come with Antonio, and Antonio wasn't anywhere to be seen... or was he?
Cars lined the street, and people moved in scattered clusters, making it nearly impossible to spot anyone clearly. Yet, from across the road, a familiar figure stood under the harsh glow of the iconic Jack's Liquor sign.
Antonio leaned casually against the wall, a cigarette dangling from his fingers, and beside him, Amanda smoked silently, the smoke curling in the neon light.
"Looks like you won't be needing my plan anymore.", Amanda said, her gaze sharp as she pointed in Stephen's direction, a sly smirk playing on her lips.
Antonio wasted no time. He pulled out his cellphone and began snapping multiple pictures of Stephen and Adriana standing together, the camera clicks barely audible over the street noise but heavy with intent.
"Nah, this is all I need.", Antonio replied casually, scrolling through the pictures with a faint smirk, his eyes glinting under the glow of the Jack's Liquor sign.
CRYSTAL AVENUE. 11:03 PM.
The house was unnaturally quiet. The sprinklers had stopped spraying the grass, leaving the lawn still and damp. The TV in the living room glowed silently, casting flickering shadows across the walls.
Katherine paced in Akirá's bedroom, her mind wrestling with her actions, her thoughts verbalized in low, anxious murmurs.
A sudden cry pierced the silence—Mila's. Katherine froze, then bolted from her son's room toward her own. As she approached Mila's cot, the cries stopped abruptly.
Katherine leaned over, lifting her baby into her arms. She gently rocked Mila, murmuring soothing words.
"Shh... mommy's here... shh", Katherine whispered, a soft smile spreading across her face as she brushed a strand of hair from Mila's forehead.
The soft sounds of the pacifier being chewed on created a gentle, rhythmic pulse. Katherine pressed her cheek gently against Mila's head, rocking her slowly. Gradually, the baby's eyelids grew heavy, and she began to doze off.
Suddenly, her cellphone buzzed. Curiosity struck her, Katherine set Mila safely in her arms and walked steadily to her dressing table. She pulled out her phone, seating herself in the chair. The screen lit up as she scrolled, and then she saw a message from Antonio.
She opened it;
"Meet me at 153 JACK'S. We have to talk!";
The words lingered on the screen, sharp and insistent, cutting through the quiet serenity of the room.
"Why? And where is Stephen?"; Katherine typed quickly, her fingers trembling slightly.
Almost instantly, another message appeared from Antonio;
"It's about Stephen.";
Katherine's eyes widened slowly, a mix of confusion and unease creeping into her thoughts.
"What do you mean?! Antonio, where is Stephen?"; she sent, but no reply followed.
Frustrated and anxious, she tried calling him, but it went straight to voicemail. Her pulse quickened, and a knot of worry settled deep in her stomach.
"Motherfucker... he switched his phone off.", Katherine muttered under her breath, her voice low but edged with anger. Her fingers tightened around the phone, tension coiling in her shoulders.
She rose from the chair, and marched out of the room while gently cradling Mila in her arms.
Once she Reached Tokyo's bedroom door, Katherine knocked softly.
No answer.
The hallway remained still, the faint hum of the television the only sound that lingered through the house.
"Tokyo, please—if you're awake, I need your help.", Katherine called softly, her tone kind yet edged with quiet desperation. She waited, her ear close to the door, hoping for even the faintest sound from the other side.
Katherine waited for a moment longer, then finally—
the door creaked open. she just stood in front of her.
"What?", Tokyo asked, her voice low and groggy.
"I need you to help your sister fall asleep.", Katherine said softly, her tone calm but hurried, rocking Mila gently in her arms.
"What!...why?", Tokyo asked, her brows furrowed.
"I need to go somewhere.", Katherine replied.
"Somewhere like?", Tokyo asked, her voice carrying both curiosity and concern.
"It's your father.", Katherine said quietly. "I think he's in trouble.",
"[Tsk] Oh my God!... fine.", Tokyo groaned, rolling her eyes before crossing her arms. "But I get to come back home anytime I want for the rest of the year.", she added confidently
"What!", Katherine yelped.
"Fine—guess you don't need my help.", Tokyo responded.
"OK, fine—but only four days a week.", Katherine countered, raising an eyebrow.
Tokyo cleared her throat loudly, signaling her disapproval.
"All right, five days a week.", Katherine amended.
"Deal.", Tokyo replied, accepting Mila into her arms, her expression softening as she gently rocked her little sister.
"I'll be back later.", Katherine said, her voice calm but firm. "Their bottles are in the fridge.",
Tokyo returned to her room, cradling Mila carefully, while Katherine quickly marched downstairs. She grabbed her keys and coat, her movements swift and purposeful, and stepped out the door into the cool night.
WEST DISTRICT.
Amber Valley. 11:11 pm.
Lucas scrolled through his cellphone absentmindedly, taking a bite of his pizza.
Ashley stepped out of the bathroom, wearing a flowing nightgown. Lucas froze, his eyes locking onto her, dumbfounded for a moment as he took in the sight.
"You ready?", Ashley asked, her tone light and teasing, breaking the brief silence.
"I've been ready since the day I was born.", Lucas replied confidently. Ashley laughed softly.
"Too corny?", he asked, a small smirk tugging at his lips.
"No... don't worry about it.", Ashley said, her smile gentle, her eyes meeting his.
"Anyways—what are we gonna' watch?", Lucas asked, taking another bite of pizza.
"Destiny Awaits.", Ashley suggested, a mysterious glint in her eyes.
"Oh... what is it about?", Lucas asked, his curiosity piqued.
"Enough with the questions, pretty boy.", Ashley replied, with a teasing smile.
Ashley moved closer, picking up the remote. She turned it on, and a massive image filled the wall as the projector hummed to life from the back of the room, casting soft light across them.
Lucas leaned back slightly, watching the glow ripple across Ashley's face, the room now bathed in the film's warm, shifting colors.
"Your room is unique—in a chaotic way.", he remarked.
"Chaotic, huh? I'll take that as a compliment.", she said, tilting her head and letting her eyes linger on him just a moment longer.
She pressed a button on the remote, and the film began. The room dimmed further, the projector casting the opening scenes across the wall. The soft flicker of light danced over their faces, the sound of the movie filling the quiet space around them.
Ashley slid onto the couch next to Lucas, picking up a slice of pizza as she did. The bass from the stereo faded in slowly, blending with the opening scenes of the movie projected across the wall.
Lucas stole a glance at her, the soft light of the projector highlighting her features. Ashley tucked her legs under her, settling in, and for a moment, the world outside seemed to disappear.
Somewhere else in San El Zorro, streets hummed with activity, and not all stories were this quiet. But for now, in this room, the tension of the city could wait.