Prologue: Character Glimpses 3
Dylan & Ether__ Apartment: Scene
Dylan stepped out of the washroom, and padded over to the side table, fumbling for the phone that had been ringing for what felt like an eternity.
As He silenced the alarm his gaze drifted towards the bed, a faint smile tugged at his lips, and his eyes sparkled with a hint of mischief and playfulness.
Shaking the thought away, he walked over to the wardrobe and pulled out a hoodie. It definitely wasn't his_ but he like wearing it anyway. He slipped it over his head, and tugged lightly at the hem, before heading to the kitchen.
The apartment was quiet, carrying the soft stillness of a morning after a long night. The kitchen blended seamlessly with the living area, built around a sleek breakfast bar lined with stools that separated the two spaces without breaking their connection. A comfortable couch faced the large flat-screen TV mounted on the wall, creating an open and welcoming space where cooking, relaxing, and late-night gaming often happened under the same roof.
Dylan walked to the side of the refrigerator and pulled out a couple of eggs and some bread. He placed the slices into the toaster before cracking the eggs into a heated pan. The gentle sizzling filled the silence as he brewed himself a cup of coffee, letting the familiar routine slowly wake him up.
With breakfast in hand, he stepped toward the balcony beyond the lounge. Floor-to-ceiling glass doors opened to a spacious outdoor area overlooking the greenery surrounding the building. The rain from earlier had left the air fresh, carrying the earthy scent of wet soil that drifted in with the morning breeze. The balcony, furnished with comfortable seating for a few people, was one of the few places in the apartment where everything felt calm.
Dylan leaned against the railing, savoring his toast while watching the world slowly come alive. For a moment, the peaceful morning almost made him forget the chaos waiting inside.
After finishing his breakfast, he returned to the kitchen and placed the dishes in the sink. As he leaned against the counter, his eyes wandered across the apartment.
The spacious flat had two bedrooms facing each other, giving it a cozy yet modern feel. Everything about the place was carefully arranged, from the clean interior design to the comfortable furniture. But despite all of it, there was one corner that mattered more to Dylan than anything else.
The gaming corner.
It was the one place where he had never hesitated to spend money. Every piece of equipment had been chosen carefully—the desk, the setup, the accessories, even the small details that made it feel like his own personal world.
Unfortunately, the apartment no longer looked as pristine as it usually did.
Running hands through his messy hair, Dylan surveyed the aftermath of pervious night's gaming marathon. The coffee table was littered with crumpled snack packets, empty glasses, a forgotten controller, and few books scattered in between them, a chaotic testament to the late-night gaming session.
Once the table was cleared, Dylan settled into the gaming corner and powered on his computer. The monitor flickered into life, it's soft glow illuminating his face, screen glowing with an otherworldly light. His gaming chair welcomed him with familiar comfort as he leaned into it, his black headphones rest around his neck like a makeshift accessory. Keeping the volume muted, he launched his game and was soon completely absorbed. His fingers gliding effortlessly across the keyboard and mouse with practiced precision.
For a while, nothing else existed beyond the screen. Yet despite his flawless gameplay, his focus gradually began to slip. Almost unconsciously, his fingers found his earlobe, rubbing it in slow, familiar circles—a nervous habit that surfaced whenever anxiety crept into the back of his mind.
Meanwhile, Ether had spent the night tossing and turning, the sound of the rain outside making him restless. He couldn't sleep, and when the rain finally subsided, he drifted off into a fitful slumber. However, the peace was short-lived, the phone on the side table began to buzz incessantly. Ether groggily reached out to grab the phone, only to throw it onto the bed with a look of disinterest.
After changing positions multiple times, Ether couldn't get back to sleep. He walked out of the room, his movements slow and deliberate, like a cat waking up from a nap. As he entered the hallway, he spotted Dylan engrossed in his game.
"Why is that crazy person calling me?!" Ether exclaimed, his voice laced with aggression, as he slipped into the sofa, curling slightly, placing a pillow over his face.
Dylan didn't look up from the screen, his fingers continuing to fly across the keyboard. "Did she wake you up?" he asked nonchalantly.
"Last night she told me to pick her up from the airport at six," Dylan explained, his tone matter-of-fact.
"You know how she is." Dylan pointed.
Ether snorted in response. "As if I care. She should have called you instead of disturbing me."
Dylan gestured towards the phone on the table, his expression unimpressed. "I silenced that thing," he added, referring to the phone.
Just then, the doorbell sounded twice in succession, shattering the peaceful atmosphere. Ether's eyes widened as he sat up straight, while Dylan shouted, "Ether, go open the door!" Ether groaned, "It's nothing but my bad luck on the door."
The door burst open, and Alestasia stormed in, pushing Ether aside as she marched towards Dylan. Her eyes blazed with fury as she switched off the computer. "Bloody Glitch, how could you not pick me up? I swear I'm going to kill you," she shouted, her voice echoing through the hallway.
Dylan's face darkened, and he grasped Alestasia's hand, propelling her out of the house in a swift motion. He locked the door behind her, his expression unyielding. As he turned towards the kitchen, he asked Ether, "G man have you got any problem with loud jazz?" Ether, munching on a sandwich, which was prepared by Dylan for him , replied with a shrug, "I don't care."
The sound of Alestasia's furious shouting continued to echo through the hallway.
Inside Dylan calmly turned the volume of jazz much higher, and soon the atmosphere was eerily calm, with only the sound of the sandwich being savored while jazz music "Take The A Train." echoed throughout.