LOGINJaxI tried to focus on Noah’s voice, but my attention kept drifting past him to the parking lot across the street. The restaurant’s warm lights reflected against the glass, turning the outside world into a dim, shifting mirror, yet the black SUV parked under the flickering streetlamp was still clearly visible. It hadn’t moved since they arrived.At first, I told myself I was being paranoid. It was just a car and maybe the driver was having a bad day and needed to park for a second. That’s possible..and that’s valid. Right?Noah was in the middle of explaining something about his job, something about a new project but his words blended into the soft jazz playing overhead.The SUV’s windows were too dark to see through.Plenty of people drove black SUVs. Plenty of people parked across from restaurants. But something about it felt wrong like a quiet pressure sitting at the back of my neck.Like someone was watching me.I glanced again. Still facing directly toward the restaurant.Sti
Jax Hazel stared at me like I just committed a criminal act. Not a small one— her brows were raised like I stolestole from a shopping mall and appeared with the same outfit.I swallowed, waiting for her to say something but all she did was gaze at me up and down. Her eyes followed my every move. She was quiet and something about the way she was calm was enough to make me feel uncomfortable."What?" I asked her. Without waiting for her to say a word, I turned to the full-length mirror and tilted a little to the side. I was taking a good look at myself.My nice fitted sweatpants. my oversized T shirt. My hair is a messy twist, comfortable and just simple. Hazel glanced at me and shook her head a couple of times. "It's a no Jaxen. it's definitely a no."“A no???” I repeated.She nodded, keeping her fake smile. “You heard me right.”“Don't tell me I don't look good in this outfit. The sweats are—”“Too comfortable for a date,” she told me. She raised both hands to the air like they’d
Jax The bar wasn’t too crowded when we walked in, which was exactly what I needed. Not noise. Not chaos. Just something calm enough to let my thoughts breathe without swallowing me whole.Hazel walked ahead of me, her heels clicking lightly against the floor, her energy already filling the space like she owned it. I followed behind, slower, taking in the dim lighting, the soft music, the familiar scent of citrus and something sweet drifting from the counter.“This place is cute,” she said, turning slightly to look at me as she slid into a stool. “You’ve been hiding this from me?”“I didn’t hide it,” I replied, settling beside her. “I just didn’t think you’d care about mocktails.”Hazel raised an eyebrow, amused. “Excuse me? I care about anything that tastes good and doesn’t ruin my life the next morning.”I smiled faintly, grabbing the menu even though I already knew what I wanted. “That’s exactly why I like it here.”Before I could say anything else, I felt it… that shift in the air
Charles I stepped into the room, my shoes soft against the polished floor, and froze for a moment at the sight of her. Nathalie was sitting near the window, the late afternoon light hitting her hair just enough to make it glow faintly. Her posture was rigid, her hands folded neatly in her lap, and the tension in her shoulders was something I felt in my chest before she even spoke.“Are you okay?” I asked, my voice low, almost cautious.She looked at me, and for a second, there was a flash of something unreadable in her eyes. “I… overheard your conversation on the phone,” she said quietly, her voice steady but firm. “And I don’t need your help. I’m not crazy, Charles.”I shook my head slowly, taking a careful step toward her. “I never said that,” I replied, my tone soft, coaxing. “I’m not saying you’re crazy. I’m saying… I’m trying to help. That’s all.”She shook her head, almost impatiently. “You don’t get it. I don’t need help.” Her voice had an edge now, sharper than before. “I jus
Charles Dr. Fernandez has been talking for a while.I know that because his voice has that steady rhythm people use when they are trying to convince you of something you don’t agree with.I leaned back in my chair, arms folded, watching him without interrupting.“…and I think it’s important we consider additional support,” he said calmly, adjusting his glasses slightly as he looked at me.I didn’t respond immediately. I just stared at him.He cleared his throat lightly.“She needs more than just rest and medication,” he continued, his tone careful. “Nathalie has gone through years of trauma. What she’s dealing with now—”“A psychologist?” I cut in, raising an eyebrow slightly.He paused, almost like he was trying to catch his breath.“Yes,” he said after a second.I let out a quiet breath and shook my head slowly. “No.”He blinked. “No?” he repeated.“That’s not happening,” I said flatly.Dr. Fernandez leaned forward slightly.“Charles,” he said patiently, “this isn’t something you c
Jax The mall was louder than my head could handle. I instantly regretted coming here the moment we stepped in.The place was not just for someone like me.Bright lights. People everywhere. Music playing from different stores at the same time. Someone laughing too loudly somewhere behind us.I pressed my fingers lightly against my temple.“Remind me why I agreed to this,” I muttered while squinting slightly at a display in front of me.Hazel glanced at me and smiled like she had been waiting for that question.“Because,” she said cheerfully, picking up a dress and holding it against herself, “you needed a distraction.”I gave her a look.“This feels more like punishment than an actual distraction,” I said.Hazel laughed. “You’ll be fine,” she said, waving me off. “You just need to walk it off.”“Walk off a headache?” I asked.“Yes.”“That’s not how that works.”“It is today,” she replied confidently.I shook my head and looked around the store.Clothes everywhere.Too many options.To
CharlesThe car came to stop beneath a flickering streetlight. I got out, the gravel, broken glass, and grime of the warehouse district crunching under my shoes.It’s a depressing place, but it’s also quiet—perfect for my meetings and for all the violence. We’re parked in front of two small, dark
CharlesI was finishing my last set when my phone rang.The sound cut through the steady rhythm of the gym downstairs, sharp and intrusive, and something in my chest tightened before I even reached for it. I wiped my hands on the towel, irritation already creeping in, and checked the screen.Jax.I
JaxThe house didn’t feel like a house.It felt staged. Too clean. Too deliberate. Every surface looked chosen, every corner measured like someone had decided comfort was optional. Nothing was out of place, and that somehow made it worse. It was the kind of place meant to impress or intimidate, ne
JaxI can't remember the last time I had a meal like this. Like an actual traditional breakfast. “Good morning,” Martha said with a small smile, placing a tray on the table. “I didn't know if you'd like to eat outside your room so I brought breakfast here.”An omelet with vegetables and cheese, a







