Palmborough. 4:30 am.
26 Benny St.
The township of Palmborough lay nearly deserted at this hour—a quiet settlement on the outskirts of San El Zorro. The grove of trees surrounding it stood motionless in the pale dawn light, their leaves heavy with dew. Greenery crept through every street and corner, giving the town an eerie serenity, as if nature itself was holding its breath.
Inside one of the houses, Antonio sat motionless beneath the running shower, the hot water cascading down his back. The dim blue glow from the bathroom walls painted him in a ghostly hue, steam curling around him like smoke from a dying fire.
He didn't move. Didn't blink. The world outside was silent except for the rhythm of water hitting tile.
Then—his alarm clock blared from the bedroom.
A sharp sound cutting through the stillness.
Antonio didn't react. He only pressed his palms flat against the wall, head bowed, eyes fixed on nothing…as if the weight of the past twenty-four hours had pinned him there—trapped between exhaustion and guilt.
The alarm kept ringing. The water kept falling. And Antonio just stood there… staring at the wall, as though it were the only thing left he could face.
WEST DISTRICT.
Amber Valley. 4:45 am.
Ashley's room had gone quiet.
The lights dimmed, the bass long faded into the stillness of dawn.
Ashley laid sound asleep—curled up under her oversized blanket, her breathing slow and even. Lucas stood nearby, buttoning his shirt, the soft rustle of fabric the only sound left in the room. He glanced back at her for a moment—peaceful, unbothered, like nothing in the world could reach her right now.
He rubbed a hand over his tired face, then reached for his phone on the desk. A few unread messages blinked on the screen. He ignored them, grabbed a cold slice of pizza from the box, and took a small bite.
His eyes lingered one last time on Ashley before he turned for the door.
Quiet was his steps, making sure not to make a sound.
Outside, the cool air greeted him—still and heavy with the scent of early morning. He paused on the porch, hands in his pockets, letting the moment sink in. A faint smile tugged at his lips—something between satisfaction and confusion.
Then, pulling out his phone again, he opened Dré's message and typed,
"Yo, you still up?"
He hit send, stared at the screen for a beat, then started walking down the pavement, the streetlights casting long, lonely shadows behind him.
As Lucas marched down the street, the night air brushed against his skin—cool, almost sobering. His phone buzzed in his hand.
He checked it immediately, and a sly grin spread across his face.
Dré's message read, "Your balls finally dropped? Lol."
Lucas smirked, thumbs flying across the screen.
"Why do you think I'm messaging you? ;)", he sent.
A few seconds later, another buzz.
Dré sent, "Ha ha… Let's meet up at my dorm?"
Lucas began typing—"Cool… See ya soon."
He slid the phone back into his pocket, that same grin still tugging at his lips. The streets of Amber Valley were quiet—just the low hum of streetlights and the faint rustle of trees swaying in the breeze.
With his hoodie pulled tighter, Lucas began his journey toward ZUT, the glow of the city slowly rising ahead of him.
Amber Valley. 5:30 a.m.
Tommy's Jol. Second floor.
Adriana lay cushioned against Stephen's chest, his arm draped protectively around her. A soft gust of wind slipped through the open window, sending the curtains dancing in gentle rhythm. Dawn light spilled faintly into the room—cool, pale, and quiet—while their breaths moved in sync, rising and falling as one.
Another stronger breeze rushed in, brushing against Adriana's face. She flinched, her lashes fluttering before her eyes slowly opened. She blinked toward the window, gaze wandering to the building across the street. The other windows were dim, their blinds drawn—hiding whatever stories lay inside.
Absentmindedly, she traced her fingers down Stephen's chest, feeling the warmth of his skin beneath her touch.
Stephen stirred, his eyes opening to the soft blur of morning light. He took a slow breath, staring up at the ceiling before his hand found its way to her hair.
"Good morning, early bird.", he mumbled, his voice low and groggy, half-asleep but tender.
Adriana chuckled slightly, "I think we overslept.", She responded.
"You think?…not that it matters anymore.", A soft sigh escaped his lips. "i wish this day could last forever.", Stephen replied, his tone firm.
She brushed her fingers gently across his chest. "That's the last thing you want.", Adriana said.
He lifted his head slightly. "What do you mean?", he asked, his gaze finding hers.
"After all this time… you're still married.", Adriana murmured, her gaze steady on him.
"Oh shit!", Stephen hollered, jolting upright.
Adriana slipped off his chest, tumbling onto the covers as Stephen buried his face in his hands.
"Fuck… what am I doing?", Stephen whispered, the weight of regret thick in his tone.
Adriana rose slowly, her body leaning into his. "What's the matter?… I thought you missed this?", she murmured, resting her head on his shoulder.
"I did… I do… it's just… does this make me the bad guy?", Stephen wondered aloud.
"Stephen…", she murmured, her hand moving softly over his back.
Stephen swung his legs off the bed. "I'm sorry, Adriana—I have to go.", he murmured, hurriedly dressing.
"Steph… don't carry guilt for what happened.", she said, tucking the duvet around her shoulders.
"How can I? I… I just broke our vows.", Stephen whispered, his words weighed down by guilt.
"But just… relax. Don't dwell on it—let's see this as a reunion," Adriana whispered, her gaze lingering on him.
Once he finished dressing, he took a deep breath. "Okay… hopefully we stay in touch.", Stephen said.
"Yeah… hopefully. I really wanted to see my little Tokyo.", she murmured, tucking her hair behind her ear.
"Would you believe she's turning eighteen.", Stephen said.
"Yes, I would… that's my daughter.", she said, a hint of pride in her voice. "And do you even remember how old our son is?", Adriana added, raising an eyebrow.
"Yeah—why'd you ask?", Stephen asked, tilting his head slightly.
"Never mind… you've got greater things to worry about.", Adriana whispered, her gaze lingering on the stop clock in the corner of the room.
"So… should I give you my number, or—?", he began.
"Don't worry about it.", Adriana cut in, a small smile on her lips. "I'll contact you."
"Cool.", he murmured, stepping closer. Their lips met in a soft, elegant kiss, her hand curling around his neck. When he finally drew back, he moved toward the exit… only to halt abruptly.
"It was truly lovely seeing you again.", Stephen said, his tone soft and heartfelt.
"Likewise.", she replied, giving a short, playful wave.
Finally, Stephen left the room. Adriana stayed behind, staring at the door with a half-smirk, a quiet satisfaction lingering in her gaze.
Eventually he made his way downstairs, passing through the diner's main floor, each step deliberate, the soft creak of the floorboards beneath him echoing in the near-empty space. Outside Tommy's Jol, the early morning light bathed the street in pale gold. Stephen paused for a moment, scanning left and right, taking in the quiet of Amber Valley at dawn.
Then he stepped onto Moses Part Avenue, his stride calm yet heavy with conflicting emotions. Guilt tugged at one side of him, happiness on the other—but he couldn't decide which feeling to trust.
Still, he moved forward, shoulders squared yet relaxed, beginning the long walk back home, letting the cool morning air clear his mind while the city slowly woke around him.
153. PINE STREET. 6:00 am.
Jack's penthouse, third floor.
On the top floor of the Jack's Liquor building sat a spacious penthouse, its glass-paneled walls fitted with secretive blinds that made it nearly impossible to see inside. The interior felt like a dream—modern luxury everywhere. Stylish paintings adorned every corridor. A piano sat in the living room, while a large fish tank stretched along the long wall. Muskets and old antique rifles hung like trophies throughout the kitchen and living area.
Kyle sprawled across a one-seater, swiping endlessly on his cellphone. Abigail laid flat on the carpet, her eyes red, a faint haze of smoke curling from the joint between her fingers. Kay padded through the hallway, fresh from the shower, a towel wrapped snugly around her body. She disappeared into her bedroom to change.
Kyle yawned, stretching lazily. "Abigail, when are you going home?", His voice was slow, heavy with sleep.
"Huh?", she said, eyes narrowing as she inhaled smoke. "What do you mean? I'm already home." She exhaled slowly, letting a stream of smoke curl into the air.
Kyle laughed, nearly shedding a tear. "Stop fucking around. Aren't your parents gonna… you know, get worried or something?", His tone was low, teasing but edged with concern.
"Please, i don't even stay with my parents anymore.", Abigail said.
"Oh?", Kyle said, shock flashing across his face. "So… where do you stay?", He turned to look at her.
"Roman Estates.", she said, her voice still drowsy as she woke, flicking her hair back in one effortless motion.
Nikki burst into the living room with Mark, a family friend, trailing behind.
"What are y'all talking about?", she asked, striding over to Abigail. Dropping to her knees, she took Abigail's hand, brought the joint to her lips, and inhaled like it was the most natural thing in the world.
"Nothing, man. What's up, Mark?", Kyle said, giving him a quick nod.
"Sup', what you say?", Mark asked lazily, nodding back before sinking into the couch.
Kyle dropped his phone onto the couch. "Can't complain… but what brings you here?", he said with a grin.
"I was helping Nikki close up…", he started, a faint grin forming.
"Please.", Nikki cut him off, laughing. "You were just helping yourself to the bar."
Abigail burst out laughing, nearly spilling the ashtray off her lap. The room hummed with lazy smoke and leftover laughter.
"Ain't nothing new with you, huh?", Kyle said, grinning as he leaned back, voice dripping with sarcasm.
"Wait—I can explain.", Mark blurted out, hands raised like he was pleading a case.
"Nee, jy's 'n kombuisvark.", Nikki shot back, flicking her ashes with a smirk that could kill.
The room erupted again—Abigail choking on her laugh, Kyle slapping the couch, and Mark just shaking his head like a man defeated by his own reputation.
"What?", Mark blinked, looking between them, genuinely lost.
Abigail was already laughing again.
The laughter hit a wall.
Kay stood in the doorway, framed by the dim hallway light, her silky dress whispering with every subtle move.
"What's the joke?", she asked—soft, almost sweet—but the look in her eyes said she wasn't here to laugh.
"Nothing.", Nikki said quickly, glancing at her. "But… where're you going?"
Kay made her way into the living room, switching on the TV without a word.
"A memorial service.", she said, eyes briefly flicking toward the group.
"Damn.", Kyle muttered, his voice a mix of surprise and curiosity. "Who died?"
Kay poured herself a glass of red wine from the dusty old cellarette by the wall unit.
"Dr. Richard… long story short.", she said, swirling the wine, "he landed in an accident—and got turned into minced meat."
Mark's eyes widened. "That's fucked…", he muttered, snatching the joint from Nikki without thinking.
"Yeah.", Kyle said.
"You kiddos can stay here. I'm already late.", Kay said, striding toward the door. She swept the bottle of wine into her hand and vanished down the hallway, leaving a faint scent of red wine and perfume behind.
Nikki clicked her tongue. "Sy dink sy's warm.", she muttered, rolling her eyes with all the drama she could muster.
"Wait—seriously? What are you saying?", Mark said, furrowing his brows as he stared at Nikki, clearly confusion.
Abigail laughed unnaturally.
Kyle chuckled lightly. "It's all good, man. I don't even understand the language myself.", he added, smirking.
Nikki drifted toward the hallway, tossing a glance over her shoulder.
"Whatever… anyways, I'm off to sleep.", she said, slipping out of sight. "Wake me up at 3 p.m.—if you dare."
"Yeah.", Mark agreed. "Check the time… and I still haven't slept.", he said, pointing to the clock.
Abigail yawned loudly, "Guess I have to go home now.", she said, stretching slightly.
"Duh!", Kyle called out, "you should've left hours ago.", he continued.
Abigail glared at Kyle, eyes half-lidded and cheeks puffed in mock offense. "Awe… you don't like having me around?", she teased.
Kyle shrugged, eyes flicking toward the clock. "I never said that. It's just… I'm trying to sleep, and you're here. I don't really want friends around at times like this.", he said, his voice calm but edged with irritation.
Abigail sniffed, a small smile tugging at her lips. "I guess that's fair.", she said, pushing herself to her feet. "But we're hanging out later… right?", she asked, hopeful.
"Yeah sure.", Kyle responded.
"Are you love birds done?", Mark asked, rising from the couch. "I'm heading out. You need a lift?" His eyes met Abigail's, waiting for her answer.
"Who me?", She asked.
"Yeah, who else would I be talking to?", Mark added, eyes twinkling mischievously.
"Oh… okay, yeah—sure.", Abigail replied.
Together, she and Mark headed toward the entrance, eventually disappearing down the hallway.
Kyle leaned back on the couch, legs propped up, eyes glued to his phone, the room suddenly quiet in their absence.
Walking side by side down the corridor to the elevator, Abigail and Mark's steps fell in perfect harmony, stepping into whatever the new day had in store.