Clouded

Chapter 3: Secrets in the Night

The park was still and quiet, shadows stretching long under the dim glow of the streetlamp. Alani lingered on the bench, replaying the conversation with Zaire in her head. His confession about not being able to sleep hung in the cool night air like a whispered secret, one she hadn't expected to hear from someone who radiated such quiet intensity.

A cold gust rustled the bare branches, and Alani shivered, pulling her hoodie tighter. The city around her was restless, the distant sounds of sirens and shouts blending into an uneasy chorus. Life in this part of Missouri was like that: a constant hum of tension, moments of calm broken by chaos.

As she stood to leave, the soft patter of footsteps caught her attention. Her heart jumped, muscles tensing out of habit. But the figure that emerged from the shadows was familiar—Sasha, breathless and wide-eyed, her braids bouncing as she ran up.

"Alani!" Sasha called, concern sharpening her tone. "I just got a text from Trey. He said Malik heard gunshots by the store earlier."

Alani's chest tightened, though she kept her expression steady. She nodded, more to reassure Sasha than herself. "I heard them too. I'm good."

Sasha exhaled, relief softening her features. "Good, 'cause I don't know what I'd do if something happened to you. We need to get outta here. The park's not safe when things pop off like this."

Alani glanced back at the empty bench, the space where Zaire had sat. She knew Sasha was right, but the thought of leaving felt like closing a chapter too soon. "Yeah, let's go."

As they walked, Sasha's chatter filled the silence, talking about everything and nothing at once. It was her way of warding off the fear that came with the night. Alani listened with half an ear, eyes scanning the dark corners as they made their way back to the row of run-down apartment buildings that lined their street.

Sasha paused at her door, turning to Alani. "You sure you're good? You seem... off tonight."

Alani managed a small smile. "Just tired. I'll see you tomorrow, yeah?"

Sasha's eyes narrowed slightly, searching Alani's face for any hint of what she wasn't saying. But she let it go, nodding. "Tomorrow. And don't forget, Trey's supposed to come by. He says he's got news."

Alani nodded, her mind already drifting back to the park and the boy who looked at her like he saw the pieces she tried to hide. She watched Sasha disappear behind her door before heading inside her own apartment. The quiet hit her first, then the soft hum of the TV in the living room where Jamal was curled up, half-asleep.

"Hey, Lani," he mumbled, blinking up at her.

"Hey, Jamal," she whispered, ruffling his hair as she passed. The weight of the night settled over her as she locked the door and sank onto the worn couch. She glanced at the cracked window, the street beyond shrouded in shadows, and wondered if Zaire was out there now, chasing away the same sleeplessness that haunted her.