It had been a few weeks since the explosion at the bank. Since then, everything had blurred together for Ethan. Patrols, late-night stakeouts, and endless training sessions filled his days, leaving him too exhausted to think about anything else. Well, almost anything.
The memory of Zane’s taunting grin, the way he’d laughed as Asher chased him through the city—it still sent a strange thrill through Ethan. Even now, as he sat at the base with Asher and Jonah, he found himself distracted. But Zane wasn’t the only one occupying his thoughts these days.
“You’ve been quiet lately,” Asher commented, his tone edged with frustration as he looked at Ethan. They were sitting in the briefing room, files and mission reports scattered across the table. Jonah sat across from them, his feet propped up on a chair as he scrolled through his phone.
Ethan glanced up, blinking. “Huh? Sorry, I didn’t catch that.”
Asher’s frown deepened. “I said you’ve been quiet. Is everything okay?”
Before Ethan could answer, Jonah snickered. “Yeah, Ethan. Everything good at home? No… unexpected aexplosions lately?”
Ethan shot Jonah a warning look, but the other man only grinned wider, clearly enjoying himself. Asher’s gaze flicked between them, confusion etched on his face.
“What the hell are you talking about?” Asher demanded, crossing his arms over his chest. “What explosions?”
“Nothing,” Ethan muttered, feeling a flush creep up his neck. “He’s just being an ass.”
“Hey, I’m just making conversation,” Jonah said innocently, though his eyes sparkled with mischief. “You know, checking in on my best friend. Seeing if anyone has been blowing things up in his personal life.”
“Jonah,” Ethan growled softly, shooting him a glare that only made the other man laugh harder.
“Fine, fine,” Jonah relented, raising his hands in mock surrender. “I’ll shut up. But seriously, Ethan, you’ve been kinda out of it lately. It’s not just Asher who’s noticed.”
Ethan sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. “I’ve just got a lot on my mind, that’s all.”
Asher raised an eyebrow. “Like what?”
“Like…” Ethan hesitated, glancing at Jonah, who gave him a subtle nod of encouragement. “Like trying to figure out what the hell Zane is up to. He’s been… showing up more.”
Asher’s expression darkened instantly. “That maniac’s been getting more brazen. I swear, he’s taunting us on purpose.”
“Maybe he just likes your company,” Jonah offered, grinning.
“Not helping,” Ethan muttered, though he couldn’t help the small smile that tugged at his lips. “But yeah, it’s been… weird.”
“Weird how?” Asher asked, his eyes narrowing.
“Just… He’s not as aggressive as he used to be. I don’t know how to explain it.” Ethan shrugged, glancing at his hands. “It’s like… he’s trying to send a message or something.”
Jonah’s gaze softened slightly. “Maybe you should try talking to him. You know, outside of the whole ‘let’s blow up half the city’ thing.”
Ethan snorted. “Yeah, right. Like that would go well.”
But even as he said it, a part of him wondered. What would Zane say if they had a real conversation? One without Asher breathing down their necks, without the threat of violence hanging over them?
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...
