Chasing Shadows

Chapter Twenty-Two: Aftertaste of Betrayal

Ethan sat at the edge of Jonah's couch, picking absentmindedly at the fries in his takeout container. The greasy scent of fast food filled the small apartment, but he barely noticed it. His mind was still racing, still circling around everything that had happened earlier in the park.

Jonah's apartment was a stark contrast to the chaos in Ethan's head-messy, lived-in, with posters of metal bands and video games covering every available inch of wall space. The TV was on, but neither of them were paying attention to whatever movie was playing. Jonah, sitting cross-legged on the floor with his own container of food, seemed more interested in Ethan's story than his burger.

"So let me get this straight," Jonah said, leaning forward with a mix of disbelief and curiosity. "You and Zane have been hanging out? Like... casually?"

Ethan sighed, shoving a fry into his mouth without really tasting it. "Yeah. We started spending time together-at first, it was just me trying to keep an eye on him, make sure he wasn't up to anything... y'know, villainous. But then... I don't know, it just kind of became a thing."

Jonah's eyebrows shot up. "A thing? You mean like... you two were almost-friends?" He shook his head, letting out a low whistle. "Man, I did not see that coming."

"Neither did I," Ethan muttered, running a hand through his hair in frustration. "It just... happened. I thought I was getting through to him, that there was some part of him that wanted to change."

Jonah snorted, taking a huge bite out of his burger. "Well, you've always been optimistic to a fault. But, dude, this is Zane we're talking about. He's-"

"Yeah, I know," Ethan cut in, his voice strained. "He's a villain. He's a manipulator. And I should've known better."

Jonah watched him for a moment, chewing thoughtfully. Then he swallowed and said, more gently this time, "I'm not saying it's your fault. You just... you see good in people. It's who you are. But Zane... I mean, did you really think he'd change?"

Ethan sighed again, leaning back against the couch. "I wanted to believe he could. Maybe that was stupid."

Jonah shrugged, his expression softening. "Maybe. But it doesn't mean you're stupid. It just means... you care too much sometimes."

Ethan gave him a small, grateful smile, but it faded quickly. "It's not just that, Jonah. I think... I think I actually liked being around him. Even when he was being annoying, or cryptic, or just plain infuriating... I liked it. It felt real, y'know?"

Jonah's eyes widened, and he set his burger down, wiping his hands on his jeans. "Wait, wait-are you saying you liked him, or just... the dynamic?"

Ethan groaned, feeling his face heat up slightly. "I don't know, okay? It's not like that. I mean... it's complicated."

Jonah raised an eyebrow. "Complicated? Dude, you're Ethan-the least complicated guy I know. And Zane is, well, Zane. What could possibly make this more complicated than it already is?"

Ethan hesitated, then took a deep breath. "Asher doesn't know. He doesn't know I've been spending time with Zane, or that... that we were starting to-"

"Hold up," Jonah interrupted, his eyes widening even more. "You're telling me Asher doesn't know that his sidekick was almost friends with the enemy? Ethan, what were you thinking?"

Ethan winced at the emphasis in Jonah's voice, dropping his gaze to his half-eaten food. "I wasn't. I just... didn't think it was necessary to tell him. And now... now it doesn't matter, does it? Zane was just using me the whole time. All of this, it was just-"

"Another game," Jonah finished, shaking his head slowly. "Man, that's rough. But... do you really think he was just using you? I mean, I don't trust the guy as far as I can throw him, but you said yourself he seemed different. Maybe-"

"Maybe nothing," Ethan cut in, his voice harsh. "I was wrong, Jonah. He's exactly who he says he is. And Asher doesn't need to know any of this. It's over."

Jonah looked like he wanted to argue, but he just sighed instead, picking his burger back up. "Fine. But you know he's gonna find out sooner or later, right? Asher's not exactly the type to let stuff like this slide."

"I know," Ethan murmured, feeling the weight of those words settle heavily on his chest. "I'll deal with it when it happens."

Jonah nodded slowly, then gave Ethan a half-smile. "For what it's worth, though... I still think you did the right thing, trying to see the good in Zane. Even if it didn't turn out the way you hoped."

"Yeah," Ethan said quietly. "Thanks, Jonah."

They ate in silence for a while, the tension lingering between them. Eventually, they switched on a video game, letting the familiar sounds of explosions and fast-paced music fill the room. But even as they played, Ethan's mind kept drifting back to Zane-his smirk, his laughter, the way he had seemed so real in those moments.

He wanted to be angry. He wanted to hate Zane for making him feel this way. But he couldn't shake the nagging thought that maybe, just maybe, there was more to Zane's story than he knew.

---

Meanwhile, on the other side of the city...

Zane paced back and forth in the dimly lit warehouse, his jaw clenched and his hands balled into fists. The place was empty, save for Rhea, who leaned against a stack of crates, watching him with narrowed eyes.

"So, let me get this straight," she said, her voice dripping with irritation. "Ethan found out about the plan, and now you're... what? Throwing a tantrum?"

Zane whirled around, glaring at her. "He wasn't supposed to find out, Rhea. I had everything under control."

"Clearly," Rhea drawled, crossing her arms. "Because everything is going so perfectly right now, isn't it?"

"Shut up," Zane snapped, his voice sharp. "I didn't expect him to... to react like that. I thought I had him where I wanted."

Rhea raised an eyebrow. "Where you wanted? You mean wrapped around your little finger, like a good little puppy?"

Zane's expression darkened, but he didn't deny it. "Yeah. Something like that."

Rhea let out a dry laugh, shaking her head. "You're unbelievable, Zane. I warned you not to get too close. But no, you had to push it. And now look where we are."

Zane clenched his teeth, resisting the urge to lash out. "It's not over. I can still fix this."

"Fix what?" Rhea shot back, her tone incredulous. "You think you can just waltz up to him and say, 'Sorry for manipulating you, wanna go get ice cream again?'"

Zane flinched at the reminder of their time together. That had been a genuine moment-or as close to genuine as he could get. He wasn't supposed to enjoy it. He wasn't supposed to care.

But he had. And that was the problem.

"Maybe," he muttered, more to himself than to her. "Maybe I can make him understand. It wasn't all a lie."

Rhea stared at him like he'd lost his mind. "Are you serious right now? You really think you can salvage this?"

Zane turned to face her fully, his gaze fierce. "I'm not giving up, Rhea. Not on this."

Rhea threw her hands up in exasperation. "Fine. Do whatever you want. But don't come crying to me when it all blows up in your face. Because it will, Zane. Trust me."

He said nothing, just clenched his jaw and turned away, staring out the window at the darkened city. He knew Rhea was right. He knew he was being reckless, foolish even.

But for the first time in a long time, he didn't care.

Because somewhere in all of this, there was still a part of him that didn't want to lose Ethan.

Even if he had to shatter every rule, every expectation, every shred of who he was supposed to be to keep him close.