157. PINE STREET.
69 Mimic. 10:12 pm.
The bar hummed with a strange balance of noise and tension, where power met pressure. Stephen stood poised beside the pool table, a cue stick in hand and his stance sharp. Opposite him, his opponent exuded a quiet menace—a man in a tailored suit, every accessory caught the dim light like calculated weapons of charm. At the bar, Antonio leaned back with ease, he nursed a drink and charmed a pair of elegant elder women; the type who looked like they owned half the city's real estate. Their laughter spread throughout the smoky air.
Stephen crouched low, his eyes narrowed on the eight ball. The room seemed to contract around him, all the noise faded into silence as he lined up his shot. Across from him, the suited stranger fixed his blazer, with both hands wrapped around the cue.
"What did you say your name was again?" the stranger asked. "The name is Stephen." Stephen answered.
"Stephen huh? that name sounds familiar." the stranger stated ominously. Stephen's grip on the cue tightened, though he kept his composure. "I don't think we've met before." he replied carefully, his tone edged with suspicion. He narrowed his head on the suited man. "What's your name?".
"Oh me? The name's Jerome." Jerome replied, Stephen pushed the cue it slid forward in one clean motion. The eight-ball rolled across the table, it sunk cleanly into the corner pocket.
Stephen straightened. A low chuckle drifted from the shadows. Another figure emerged from the edge of the bar, his presence carried an unsettling weight.
"The man's a natural." the stranger confessed as he stepped closer. From the other table, another voice chipped in. The man leaned back in his chair, and the pool cue rested across his lap. "Yeah… you haven't lost a game in seven years Jerome." His smirk deepened as he raised his glass. "But who would've thought it would end today?" The stranger slung his arm across Jerome's shoulder like they'd known each other for years.
"Looks like you owe him a drink, J-boy." he said. Jerome brushed the man's arm off with a half-snarl. "Yeah-yeah…whatever." Jerome raised his glass high, his voice boomed across the room. "Drinks on me, everybody!" The bar erupted whistles, and the clatter of glasses slammed against counters. Heads turned, and for a moment the whole place bent to Jerome's orbit.
Stephen left the pool table his eyes twitched as he cut through the haze of chatter. At the bar counter, Antonio was in his own vibe, he leaned as a few women laughed softly at something he said. The sound of their giggles clung to the air.
"Just one weekend in tropia, and we spend time to—Oh…here he is ladies." Antonio changed the topic; his eyes fixated on Stephen. "When you say things like that, I get a little worried." Stephen said. "Now don't worry, let's sit and have drink." Antonio reassured smoothly.
Stephen pulled the bar stool out in front of him and sat down. "Good evening, ladies." Stephen greeted.
"Hey, it's nice to meet you—I'm Gloria." Gloria shook his hand. "Likewise, I'm Stephen" Stephen replied, Antonio stood from the bar stool, then he rushed behind the counter, where the bartender waited. Their low voices synchronized with the room. Across the bar, Stephen leaned in closer to the women, his words laced with charm, their laughter were contagious.
"So, meet my girls… Alicia, Shel, and Serena." Gloria said, as she pointed them out one by one.
"Nice to meet you, ladies. How about we order a few drinks?" Stephen suggested. "Already taken care of." Antonio reappeared from behind the counter with a faint smirk.
"That was quick." Stephen stated cunningly. "Yeah well—you just move slow." Antonio responded playfully. A bartender stepped forward, his mild fade—neat hair, sharp green eyes glinted. He dressed in an exclusive suit, and he carried a wide platter balanced with cognac and champagne. He set it down on the bar counter, then lifted the champagne bottle in hand, ready to serve.
"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen." the bartender announced with a confident smile. "Allow me to present—San El Zorro's finest potion." He held the champagne aloft with pride. Gloria and her friends clapped in unison, as they cheered for the bartender's presentation.
"Well then…let's get this party started!" Antonio declared, when he snatched up the champagne bottle. With a swift twist, it popped open.
CRYSTAL AVENUE 10:13 pm.
Meanwhile… back in Stephen's mansion, Katherine was rooted to floor, her body rigid as the red sensor light continued to glow ominously. "Jason!" she called, her voice trembled with fear gnawing at her. Jason rushed inside from the backyard, concern etched across his face. His hand reaching out to comfort her. "Kathy—what's wrong?" Jason asked. "There's somebody outside the house, but I don't know who it is." Katherine responded, "Who? how do you know that there's someone outside?" Jason asked. "The sensor light is still on." Katherine's finger trembled as she pointed at it.
"Want me to go check it out?" Jason asked softly. "No, it's too dangerous… it's best if we use the surveillance system." Katherine suggested. "Alright, let's g—" Jason words were cut off by the sound of the doorknob.
'Who the fuck is this?' Katherine thought, her blood pressure rocketed. 'This is bad… there's kids here.' Jason worried silently. Then, shockingly— Tokyo opened the door and stepped inside. A huge sigh of relief escaped Katherine's lips. But a chill ran through her. Tokyo never knew who Jason was, and that thought made her stomach tighten.
"Hey Tokyo, how was your day?" Katherine greeted. "Hey… it was alright." Tokyo said cautiously, her eyes Lingered on Jason. "Who's that?" Tokyo asked. "Oh… this is Jason." Katherine replied quickly. Jason stepped closer. "Hey there, kiddo. I'm your father's brother… nice to meet you." he greeted, as he extended his hand.
"Hm, that's funny because my father never mentioned having a brother." Tokyo replied confidently. "Your father can be stubborn sometimes." Jason said with a gentle smile. "But I'm your uncle—from the Glover's. You and I… we're family." Tokyo stayed quiet, she looked at Jason and felt an immediate sense of unease. Then she eyed Katherine, Tokyo studied her as if she sensed something was wrong—but had no proof.
"So, he just came to visit your father, honey." Katherine said. Tokyo scoffed as she walked away "Whatever…I'm going to my room." she replied. "She's just like her father." Jason mumbled undertone. "Yeah." Katherine giggled. "Looks like Stephen's running late. Guess I should head out." Jason remarked. "Alright then… no problem. I'll just let him know you stopped by." Katherine said. "Thanks. Shame I missed Lucas though… it's been nineteen years since I've seen that kid." Jason said.
"Time flies." Katherine smiled though her shoulders stayed tense. Jason chuckled as he strid to the door "Yeah—anyway, I should get going. It was lovely meeting you." he said. "Thanks, lovely meeting you too. Safe travels." Katherine replied evenly, she watched him step out into the night.
Katherine walked to the front door and paused by the wall-mounted CCTV screen. Her eyes locked on the monitor as she watched Jason's figure leave through the front gate. She Stared at the empty frame for a few seconds before she turned back toward the kitchen.
Inside, Katherine moved with silently—she pulled plates from the cupboard and set them neatly on the counter. One hand dished out food, while the other spooned out steamed chicken curry, until every plate was filled. She slid one into the oven to keep warm, then dusted her hands off and went into the living room. Mila and Akirá curled on the baby chair, they giggled at the cartoon on the screen. Katherine picked up the remote, then switched the channel to the evening news. A weather presenter in San El Zorro gestured toward shifting storm patterns, while the babies burst into laughter again, entertained by the sudden change of pace. Katherine's lips tugged into a small, distracted smile.
She set up two small feeding stations and scooped up Akirá. She placed him gently into his chair. Mila followed suit; bibs fastened, fresh food in front of them. The kitchen filled with the clatter of spoons and the bubbled chatter of hungry children.
"Okay, Teletubbies— I'm going upstairs for just a moment. Wait here for mommy." Katherine said brightly.
Katherine left, their soft baby chatter trailed behind her as she crossed to the staircase. She climbed steadily, each step echoed faintly in the quiet house, until she reached Tokyo's bedroom door. For a moment she paused there, her hand hovered, her eyes pressed against the door as listened to the silence inside. Then she knocked gently.
"Hey, Tokyo?" Katherine called. "Supper's ready. I left your plate on the counter.", "Okay, I'll be down in a minute." Tokyo muffled from behind the door. Katherine hung a second longer, then turned and rushed back downstairs. In the kitchen, Mila and Akirá waited patiently in their chairs, their small hands drumming against the trays. Katherine sat between them, gently guided spoons of porridge to eager mouths, the warmth of the moment folded around her like a fragile shield against the night's unease.
Tokyo laid flat on her bed, the glow of her LED lights stretched in neat lines across the ceiling. Plants swayed gently from hooks and shelves; their shadows spilled across the walls in a soft green silhouette. From the corner of the room, a small radio whispered mellow tunes, it invaded the air with a quiet rhythm. Her gaze wandered upward, she traced the tiny stars plastered upon her ceiling—colors shifted from the galaxy lamp perched by the dresser. The ceiling shimmered with purples and blues, a private sky she could call her own. Tokyo sighed and let the light wash over her as though she were floating in her own universe.
Tokyo rested one hand across her forehead, A quiet thought slipped through her mind, 'I wonder what Abigail's up to right now?' She inhaled the weight of the day; before she stretched for her phone on the nightstand. She unlocked it and she scrolled into her messages.
'Hey Abi, where are you girl?', she messaged. Her thoughts refused to settle, but even her calm space couldn't ease the unease. She had enjoyed her time with her friends earlier—a rare sense of freedom—but now an ominous feeling stuck at the edge of her mind.
With a sharp breath, she forced herself to move. Tokyo pushed up from the mattress, she swung her legs over the side and stood. She left her room, the door clicked softly shut behind her. She marched downstairs, the faint hum of voices and clatter from the kitchen guiding her. She reheated her food, the smell of curry stinged the air. She carried her plate to the dining table and took her seat among the family. Though the shadow of that uneasy feeling lingered, just out of reach.
West District.
Amber Valley. 10:27 pm.
Ashley's room was quiet, but her presence filled the silence with an electric weight, while the clock on wall sounded throughout the room. She sat at her office desk alongside Lucas, the desktop monitor casted a soft glow over them. Lucas leaned forward, his pen scratched against the page of his notebook. Ashley watched him intently, her gaze traced the curve of his concentration, the rhythm of his writing, the subtle confidence in the way he carried himself. She twirled a strand of her Afro hair around her finger—her movement absentminded but deliberate.
'Why hasn't he made a move yet?' she wondered. Lucas suddenly paused, his pen froze mid-jot. He eyed the monitor, the glow reflecting in them. Lucas's voice cut through the stillness. "Do you still know the answer to pi?" he asked suddenly. Ashley was caught off guard. For a moment, she only stared at him, her finger paused in her hair. Then, a small smirk tugged at the corner of her lips.
"Depends." she replied, as leaned back in her chair. "Do you mean the actual number… or the meaning behind it?"
Lucas's eyes shifted to her, he tested her reaction—something more than just math. He chuckled. "I mean the infinite one. The number that never ends. Like chasing something you'll never quite reach."
"Well, it's pretty complicated to explain—though I'll try to make it simple." Ashley stated, her gaze clung on Lucas. He tilted his head, intrigued. "Complicated but simple… I think I like where this is going." he responded. Ashley leaned forward just slightly. "Pi is endless. It keeps going, circling back but never repeating. Kind of like… temptation or sin. You get close, you think you've figured it out, but then it slips further away."
Lucas chuckled "So, what you're saying is… if I keep calculating long enough, I might actually catch it?" he asked,she rested her jaw on her hand. "Or you'll just get lost in it. That's the fun part." she replied.
He rested his chin on his fist. "You're dangerous, you know that?" Ashley's eyes glimmered as she giggled joyfully. "Only if you're not brave enough to keep counting." she shot back.
Lucas leaned closer "Guess it's a good thing I've got patience—and a stubborn streak. I don't stop just because it gets harder." Her laughter softened into something slower, almost knowing. "Careful what you wish for." Ashley murmured "Numbers don't lie… but people do. Sometimes the chase is more dangerous than the answer."
"Anyway…" Ashley said lightly, their eye contact still held onto each other, "we should probably get back to these notes before pi turns into a whole philosophy class."
Lucas tapped the page in front of him. "Yeah, wouldn't want to lose track of time." The room fell into a quiet rhythm again—the scratch of his pen; the hum of the computer, the steady tick of the clock on the wall. But beneath the silence, something new hung between them.
Ashley pretended to focus, though her thoughts were restless. Lucas's expression stayed unreadable as he wrote, but his hand slowed ever so slightly, as if his mind had wandered elsewhere. The clock ticked once more. The tension stayed unspoken and waited.