↷✦; w e l c o m e ❞
Zevanya had only taken a few steps into the dense shade of the mahogany trees when a loud whistle shattered the silence. She paused, but she wasn't surprised. She knew exactly who could whistle with such an arrogant tone in this tense atmosphere.
Jayden emerged from the darkness, leaning against an old concrete pillar, his hands clapping lightly—a clap of appreciation laced with sarcasm. His sister's face, illuminated by the dim light of the streetlamp, revealed a wide grin that looked both terrifying and satisfied.
"Amazing!" Jayden exclaimed, his voice muffled but full of joy. He stepped toward Zevanya, his eyes gleaming, reflecting the light of the red Spider still running in the distance. "My dear sister, you truly exceeded my expectations tonight. I almost thought you'd run off to play the late-night hero to get that idiot's attention again."
Zevanya stared blankly at her sister. Her expressionless face didn't budge even though Jayden was now standing right in front of her.
"You saw that, didn't you?" Jayden asked again, this time his voice lowered, almost a whisper. "Amora's fear, her broken tears, and how she begged God to save her. And you... you just stood there, watching like it was a documentary about insect extinction. So cold. So... classy."
Jayden let out a low laugh, a laugh that sounded so sincere yet so dark. He felt triumphant because his brother had finally shed the "martyr" mantle he had hated. "You used to be a doormat to keep his feet clean, Ze. But tonight, you let his world shake. You let him experience horror, while you remained clean in the shadows."
Zevanya finally spoke, cold and toneless. "I only did what you suggested, Jayden. Stop being a free spectacle and stop having a role in their drama. I'm just... a spectator tonight."
Jayden nodded in satisfaction, his finger touching his chin as if in thought. "True. But the most dangerous bystanders are those who allow tragedy to unfold without batting an eye. You've just killed your humanity, which has been your weakness all this time, Sis. And me? I'm so proud of that."
Jayden then turned to Mathius and Amora, who were still embracing in front of the red car. His grin widened. "Look at them. Mathius feels like a knight in shining armor, and Amora feels like a princess saved. They don't know that their salvation was merely luck, because if Mathius had been a second later, you still wouldn't have moved, would you?"
Zevanya didn't answer, but that silence was the most terrifying answer to anyone who heard it.
"That's enough for tonight," Jayden suddenly straightened and straightened the collar of his jacket. "I've seen what I wanted to see. A complete transformation. Now, let them drown in their little drama. We have more important things to do than deal with that pathetic couple."
Jayden started to walk away, but after a few steps, he stopped and turned slightly. "Oh, one more thing. I'll leave you a new 'seed.' If you can already let others suffer without feeling guilty, imagine what you could do if you started actively destroying what they love."
"I don't want to destroy anyone, Jayden," Zevanya interrupted softly.
Jayden chuckled. "You don't have to admit it now. But remember my words: pure hatred is far more honest than the love you used to glorify. I'll leave you with this thought: tonight you are a witness, but tomorrow... you could be the storm that wipes them out of Binatara."
Jayden waved his hand without looking back, disappearing into the darkness toward the back parking lot. Zevanya remained standing there, alone.
Behind her, the roar of the red Spider's engine could be heard drifting away, carrying Mathius and Amora away. Ahead, there was only a silent street filled with black shadows.
Zevanya took a deep breath. The night air felt sharp in her lungs.
She felt empty, utterly empty. But beneath that emptiness, she felt something new: a strength born from the absence of caring. The seed Jayden had left behind began to take root silently, amidst a heart that had been crushed and frozen.