Chasing Shadows

Chapter Twenty-five: Fading Into the Background

It was like rewinding to a time long before all the chaos began. Before Zane entered his life, before Ethan started questioning every move he made, every word he spoke. A time when he’d been just another nameless face in the crowd—another silent guardian in the city’s shadows. Back then, he hadn’t needed recognition. He hadn’t needed validation.

And now, as he settled back into that same rhythm, he found it almost comforting.

Almost.

Months had passed since that night at the warehouse, since his conversation with Asher. He’d thrown himself back into his duties with a single-minded focus, accepting every mission, every patrol, every call for help, until his schedule was packed to the brim.

It was easier to be a machine. To lose himself in the routine, to become nothing more than a cog in the hero machine. The missions came and went, and Ethan did his part, slipping in and out of situations like a ghost. He didn’t linger. He didn’t speak unless absolutely necessary. He just got the job done and moved on.

And, just like before, he was invisible.

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“Good job out there, Asher!”

Ethan stepped back into the shadows as another round of applause erupted from the small crowd gathered outside the police precinct. He watched as Asher waved, a polite smile on his face, accepting the praise with practiced ease.

“Thanks, everyone. Just doing my part,” Asher called out, his voice carrying over the buzz of excitement. The officers nearby nodded in approval, some clapping him on the shoulder, others snapping pictures with him like he was some kind of celebrity.

Ethan stood a few paces away, his hood pulled low over his face. No one looked his way. No one acknowledged him.

And why would they?

He wasn’t the one they saw—the one they idolized. Asher was the hero. The golden boy with the perfect track record. The one who always knew what to say, how to act, who to save. Ethan… Ethan was just there. Filling in the gaps, playing backup.

The applause died down, and Asher turned, his gaze sweeping over the small crowd. His eyes landed on Ethan, and for a split second, something like concern flickered in his expression. But then it was gone, replaced by his usual calm composure.

“You coming, Ethan?” Asher asked, his voice carefully neutral.

Ethan nodded, slipping away from the scene without a word. He knew the drill by now. Asher would handle the press, the paperwork, the endless questions from fans and civilians. Ethan’s role was over the moment the fight ended.

“Hey, man,” a voice called out as Ethan made his way to the alley behind the precinct. He glanced over to see one of the junior officers jogging over, his face flushed with excitement. “That was some impressive work out there. You really know how to keep your cool.”

Ethan blinked, caught off guard by the unexpected praise. “Uh, thanks,” he mumbled.

The officer grinned, then glanced back over his shoulder at the cheering crowd around Asher. “It’s crazy how you guys do it. I mean, Asher’s one thing, but… you’re always just, like, there, you know? Quick, efficient… it’s like you’re a shadow or something.”

Ethan forced a tight smile. “Yeah, something like that.”

The officer nodded, clearly oblivious to Ethan’s discomfort. “Anyway, just wanted to say thanks. It’s… well, it’s good knowing there’s people like you out there, even if we don’t see you as much.”