Healing (Zalex)

Part 19

As the ferry arrived in New York City, the four made their way to two separate hotels, Rian and Alex, and Jack and Zack.

"The only room available tonight is a double room" the receptionist explained.

"That's fine, we'll take it" Jack said desperately.

"That'll be $140 for the night" the receptionist said.

"How much!?" Jack exclaimed in shock. "Jesus Christ okay" Jack muttered as he takes out his phone, going to his banking app before paying for the hotel.

The receptionist sneared at them "Here's your key" she said sharply handing Jack the key.

Jack rolled his eyes but snatched the key as he walked with Zack, as he wrapped an arm around Zack's waist as they walked to the lift.

Zack lays his head on Jack's shoulder listening to his breathing "are you sure we're safe?" He asks quietly.

Jack remained silent as Zack laid his head on his shoulder. He felt a wave of fear wash over him at the thought of their safety, but he did his best to stay stoic and reassure Zack.

"We'll be fine" Jack said firmly, holding Zack by the waist and pulling him closer as they walked to the lift. "We just need to be careful and keep a low profile"

***

As Rian and Alex walked into their own hotel bedroom Alex couldn't help but think about the unnecessary distance Zack had created. "Do you think Z and I will ever start again?" Alex asked.

"I think you will adventurly, you just have to be patient with each other" Rian whispered.

"We never did anything, Zack would get drunk and horny, but I didn't want to take advantage, and the times I was ready Zack wasn't" Alex said as he lays on the bed head first.

"You're a good partner Alex" Rian said softly.

Rian nodded in understanding as he took a seat on the edge of the bed. "Zack's been through a lot. Rebuilding trust and finding your way back will take time, but you both care about each other. That's a strong foundation."

Alex sighed, his emotions clearly visible. "I just want things to go back to how they were."

Rian placed a reassuring hand on Alex's shoulder. "Give it time. You've got the chance to start anew now. Communication is key, and understanding each other's boundaries is crucial."

The two friends spent the evening discussing their plans for the next day, a mix of practicalities and emotional support. Meanwhile, in the adjacent room, Jack and Zack settled in for the night, their shared silence carrying both the weight of the past and the hope for a better future.

***

The next day Zack woke up with his head on Jack's chest listening to his heartbeat, a red tint on his cheeks as he pulled away slightly "s-sorry- Jack" Zack mumbled as he pulled away.

"Hey it's okay Z, nothing happened between us, we just fell asleep and neither of us actually moved" Jack expressed.

Silence lingered around the room quietly as they both sat waiting for Alex and Rian to wake up so they discuss their plan for today.

Ping ping

Zack grabbed his phone as two messages came through.

"Morning"

"we have a plan"

The messages read.

Zack's eyes lit up as he read the messages. "Looks like Alex and Rian are ready to talk strategy," he said, a sense of anticipation in his voice.

As the four friends gathered in Jack and Zack's hotel room, there was a palpable tension mixed with determination. Alex wasted no time getting to the point. "I've been researching Marcus Lodge and Helen's connections. I think I found a lead on how they're finding us."

Rian nodded in agreement. "We need to tread carefully, though. We can't afford to make any mistakes."

Zack, appreciative of his friends' efforts, chimed in. "What's the plan?"

Alex laid out a detailed strategy involving discreet surveillance and gathering information without drawing attention. The friends discussed their roles, the locations they needed to investigate, and the potential risks involved.

Jack, always the voice of reason, interjected, "We need to keep each other informed at all times. No one goes solo. If anything feels off, we abort and regroup. Our safety comes first."

The room fell into a determined silence as they finalized their plan, a mixture of anxiety and resolve evident in their expressions. It was a risky endeavour, but the urgency of the situation left them with no other choice.

As they set out to unravel the mysteries surrounding Marcus Lodge, Helen, and the threats that had torn their lives apart, the friends clung to the hope that this plan would bring them one step closer to ending the nightmare and restoring some semblance of normalcy to their fractured lives.

"right, so for now we each switch who stays with Zack, we make our move to France, then Germany, Amsterdam then to Finland" Alex explained. "no one post anything on social media" he added.