Chapter 45

Grief didn’t disappear.

It just… shifted.

Less explosive.

More constant.

Like a weight Eli had learned to carry—

But not one he had learned to live with.

MORNING__

The next morning came quieter.

Not empty like before.

But fragile.

Like everything could still break if pushed too hard.

Eli sat on the edge of the bed, staring at his phone.

New.

Unfamiliar in his hand.

But necessary.

Because there was something he hadn’t done.

Something he had been avoiding without realizing it.

His parents.

He pressed the call button.

Held the phone to his ear.

It rang.

Once.

Twice.

Three times.

Then—

Nothing.

Call failed.

Eli frowned.

“…Network?”

He tried again.

This time it rang longer.

But still—

No answer.

No callback.

No message.

Nothing.

Eli lowered the phone slowly.

A strange feeling crept in.

Not panic.

Not yet.

Just… unease.

“…That’s weird.”

He tried again.

Same result.

And again.

Still nothing.

His grip tightened slightly around the phone.

Because something didn’t feel right.

Not after everything that had already happened.

The door opened quietly.

Kieran stepped in.

As usual.

Without knocking.

His gaze went straight to Eli.

“…You’re up.”

Eli didn’t look at him immediately.

“…Yeah.”

A pause.

Then:

“…I can’t reach my parents.”

That got Kieran’s attention.

Not visibly dramatic.

But enough.

“…Since when?”

Eli looked at the phone.

“…I just tried now.”

Kieran stepped closer.

“…They might be busy.”

Eli shook his head slightly.

“…They always pick up.”

A pause.

“…Or at least call back.”

Silence.

That tension—

It didn’t go unnoticed.

Kieran didn’t dismiss it.

Didn’t brush it off.

“…I’ll have someone check.”

Eli looked up.

“…Check what?”

“…Where they are.”

Simple.

Direct.

Eli frowned slightly.

“…You can do that?”

Kieran met his gaze.

“…Yes.”

That answer alone reminded Eli—

Of who Kieran was.

Of the power he had.

Of the world Eli had been dragged into.

Eli exhaled slowly.

“…Do it.”

That was new.

Not a demand.

Not resistance.

Just… acceptance.

Kieran nodded once.

But didn’t leave immediately.

Instead—

“…Eat first.”

Eli sighed.

“…You’re not letting that go, are you?”

Kieran’s expression didn’t change.

“…No.”

Eli shook his head lightly.

But this time—

There was no real fight in it.

“…You’re annoying.”

“…And you’re still not eating.”

A small pause.

Then—

Eli reached for the tray beside the bed.

Not much.

Just enough.

But he ate.

And Kieran noticed.

TRAINING RETURNS__ 

Later that day—

Eli was dragged back into training.

Not gently.

Not optionally.

But not harshly either.

Kieran stood across from him.

Watching.

“…Again.”

Eli groaned slightly.

“…You’re serious right now?”

“Yes.”

Eli rolled his shoulders.

Still weaker than before.

Still not fully present.

But standing.

Fighting.

Trying.

That alone mattered.

Eli moved forward.

Attacked.

Slower than before.

But more controlled.

Kieran blocked easily.

As always.

“…You’re distracted.”

“…No, I’m not.”

“You are.”

Eli clicked his tongue.

“…Then stop talking.”

He lunged again.

This time sharper.

Faster.

Kieran countered—

But didn’t overpower him.

Didn’t dominate.

Instead—

He guided.

Corrected.

Adjusted.

“…Left side.”

Eli shifted.

“…Watch your footing.”

He corrected.

“…Don’t hesitate.”

Eli moved again.

This time—

Better.

At one point—

Kieran stepped in close.

Too close.

Grabbing Eli’s wrist mid-move.

Turning him slightly.

Their bodies nearly aligned.

“…Like this.”

His voice dropped.

Closer.

Softer.

Eli froze for half a second.

That pull again.

That strange, unwanted awareness.

Then he pulled back.

Quickly.

“…I get it.”

Kieran watched him.

But didn’t push.

Didn’t trap him.

Just let him create that space.

Training ended earlier than usual.

Eli leaned against the wall.

Breathing heavier than he expected.

Kieran handed him water.

Eli hesitated.

Then took it.

“…Thanks.”

It slipped out.

Without thinking.

Kieran didn’t react outwardly.

But something in his gaze softened.

Eli sat down.

Phone still in his hand.

Still no message.

Still nothing.

“…It’s been hours…”

His voice was quieter now.

More worried.

Kieran stood nearby.

Watching him.

“…I’ll get an update soon.”

Eli nodded slightly.

But his mind was elsewhere.

Because something didn’t sit right.

Not at all.

And Kieran—

Kieran felt it too.

That subtle shift.

That warning beneath the surface.

Because in his world—

Silence wasn’t always harmless.

Sometimes—

It meant something had already gone wrong.

Eli stared at his phone again.

Waiting.

Hoping.

“…Pick up…”

But nothing came.

Across the estate—

Kieran stood alone.

His expression darker now.

More focused.

Because if something had happened—

He would find out.

And whoever was responsible—

Would not survive it.