Two months had passed since Ethan’s unexpected encounter with Zane in the park. In that time, life had fallen into a comfortable, albeit strange, rhythm. Asher’s popularity as a superhero continued to grow—his presence celebrated by the media and the public. Despite his escalating fame, he still found time for his patrols with Ethan, keeping the streets safe and tackling new threats as they emerged. Their missions were intense, but they were handled with efficiency, leaving little room for personal conflict.
And then there was the stray puppy—now officially named Rascal. Ethan had given the pup a home, finding comfort in its companionship. Rascal had quickly become a part of his life, his playful energy providing a sense of stability that Ethan hadn’t realized he needed. The nights were still lonely at times, but they were less so with the small, scruffy dog curled up beside him.
Tonight, however, was different.
Ethan sat on the worn leather couch in his dimly lit apartment, his gaze fixed on the television. The news droned on in the background, but Ethan wasn’t paying attention. Rascal lay beside him, head resting on Ethan’s knee, eyes half-closed in contentment. Ethan absentmindedly stroked the dog’s fur, his thoughts drifting.
The glow of the city outside his window filtered in, casting soft shadows across the room. He glanced at the clock on the wall—7:45 p.m. In fifteen minutes, Jonah and Asher would arrive for their regular hangout night. It was the one time they could shed their roles as heroes and just be themselves.
No missions. No heroics. Just three young men trying to navigate the complexities of life.
Ethan took a deep breath, savoring the calm before the chaos. The weight of his interactions with Zane still lingered, but he’d pushed it to the back of his mind. There was no room for that tonight. He’d promised himself he wouldn’t dwell on anything except the present moment.
A soft knock on the door broke through the silence. Rascal perked up, ears twitching as he barked once, a low sound that was more curious than alert.
“Relax, buddy,” Ethan murmured, standing up and ruffling Rascal’s fur. “It’s just them.”
He crossed the room and opened the door, revealing Jonah and Asher standing in the dimly lit hallway. Jonah was dressed casually, his long hair pulled back in a loose ponytail, a faint smile playing on his lips. Asher, ever the contrast, wore a fitted black T-shirt and jeans, his stance relaxed but his eyes keenly observant.
“Hey,” Ethan greeted, stepping aside to let them in. “Come on in.”
“Hey, Ethan!” Jonah said brightly as he entered, his gaze drifting to Rascal, who was now standing on the couch, wagging his tail eagerly. “And hey to you too, Rascal.” He bent down to give the dog a quick pat, earning an excited bark in response.
Asher followed, his usual stoic expression softening slightly as he looked around the apartment. “Nice place,” he remarked, though he’d been here several times before. His eyes landed on Ethan, a hint of warmth breaking through the calm facade. “Ready for a night off?”
Ethan nodded, a faint smile tugging at his lips. “More than you know. I’ve got pizza in the oven, and Jonah said he’s bringing dessert.”
Jonah grinned, pulling out a small container from his bag. “Homemade brownies. My mom’s recipe, but with a twist—I added a bit of sea salt on top. Trust me, it’s amazing.”
Ethan chuckles,closing the door behind them as they made their way to the living room. He gestured for them to take a seat while he grabbed some plates from the kitchen. Rascal trotted over to Asher, sniffing his shoes before deciding to settle at his feet.
“So,” Jonah began as he plopped onto the couch, sinking into the cushions. “Anything interesting happen on patrol lately? Not that I want to talk about that, but, you know… curiosity and all that.”
Ethan chuckled softly, returning with the plates. “Nope. Just the usual petty crimes. We’ve managed to keep things under control.” He glanced at Asher, a hint of a smile on his lips. “Except for that one time with the—”
“—guy who tried to rob a bank with a water gun?” Asher interrupted, raising an eyebrow. “Yeah, that was… unique.”
“Wait, what?” Jonah laughed, leaning forward with interest. “Did he actually think it would work?”
“He thought it was a real gun,” Ethan explained, shaking his head in disbelief. “Spray-painted it black and everything. But he got too nervous and accidentally sprayed himself with water when he tripped. Not his finest moment.”
The three of them burst into laughter, the sound filling the small apartment. It felt good—normal. For a brief moment, Ethan allowed himself to forget the complexities of their world and simply enjoy the company of his friends.
Asher leaned back, his expression thoughtful. “It’s nice to have a night like this,” he said quietly. “To just… relax.”
Ethan nodded in agreement, feeling a rare sense of contentment settle over him. “Yeah. No masks tonight.”
Jonah lifted his brownie in a mock toast. “To no masks and good company.”
They clinked their plates together, a silent acknowledgment of the shared understanding between them. As the evening wore on, the conversation flowed effortlessly, moving from lighthearted stories to deeper reflections on their lives and choices.
Ethan found himself smiling more often than he had in weeks. Rascal dozed contentedly at his feet, the warmth of his small body a comforting presence. Outside, the city continued to buzz with activity, but in this small apartment, time seemed to slow down.
When the clock neared midnight, and the pizza and brownies were long gone, they fell into a comfortable silence. Jonah stretched, letting out a contented sigh. “We should do this more often,” he murmured sleepily. “Feels like we’re always on the move. It’s nice to just… *be*.”
Asher nodded, his gaze drifting to the window, where the city lights twinkled in the darkness. “We will. I’ll make sure of it.”
Ethan watched them both, feeling an odd sense of peace settle over him. There were still uncertainties in his life, still wounds that needed time to heal, but for now, in this small space with his friends, he felt… okay.
And that was enough.
---
The sound of soft snores filled the room as Jonah drifted off on the couch. Asher stood, stretching his arms above his head. “I’ll get going. You need help cleaning up?”
“Nah, I’ve got it,” Ethan replied quietly. “Thanks for coming over. It meant a lot.”
“Anytime,” Asher said, his voice low and sincere. He glanced at Jonah, then back at Ethan. “You’re not alone, you know. You’ve got us. Always.”
Ethan nodded, his throat tight with emotion. “Yeah. I know.”
With a final nod, Asher slipped out the door, leaving Ethan alone in the quiet apartment. He looked down at Rascal, who yawned and curled up at his feet. Ethan smiled softly, feeling the warmth of the night linger long after his friends had gone.
“No masks tonight,” he whispered, settling back onto the couch. “Just us.”
The city outside continued to hum, but inside, Ethan felt a calmness he hadn’t felt in a long time. It wasn’t perfect, but for now, it was enough.
YOU ARE READING
Chasing Shadows
Teen Fiction"Chasing Shadows" is a tale of darkness, obsession, and unexpected desire. Zane, a calculating villain with a vendetta against the city's beloved hero, Asher, finds his meticulously crafted world disrupted by an unexpected presence-Ethan, the hero's...
