Palmborough. 4:30 am.
26 Benny St.
The township of Palmborough lay nearly deserted—a quiet settlement on the outskirts of San El Zorro. The grove of trees that surrounded it, stood motionless in the pale dawn light, their leaves dripped with dew. Greenery crept through every street and corner; the town had an eerie serenity. Inside one of the houses, Antonio sat motionless beneath the running shower, the hot water cascaded down his back. The dim blue glow from the bathroom walls painted him, steam curled around him like smoke from a dying fire. He didn't move nor did he blink. The world outside was silent except for the rhythm of water that splashed tile.
Then—his alarm clock blared from the bedroom. A sharp sound cutting through the stillness. Antonio did not react, he only pressed his palms flat against the wall, his head bowed, trapped between exhaustion and guilt. The alarm rang… and rang, The water kept on falling. And Antonio just stood there… eyes fixated on 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 and the bass long faded into the stillness of dawn. Ashley laid asleep curled up under her oversized blanket. Lucas stood nearby, he buttoned his shirt, the soft rustle of fabric the only sound left in the room. He glanced back at her for a moment—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 and grabbed a cold slice of pizza from the box, he took a small bite. His eyes lingered one last time on Ashley before he turned for the door.
Quiet was his steps, he made 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 with hands in his pockets. A faint smile tugged at his lips—something between satisfaction and confusion. Then he opened Dré's message and typed,
'Yo, you still up?' he hit send, then started he walked down the pavement, the streetlights casted long, lonely shadows behind him. His cellphone buzzed, he checked it immediately. Dré's message read, 'Your balls finally dropped? Lol.' Lucas smirked; thumbs hovered across the screen. 'Why do you think I'm messaging you? ;)' he sent. A few seconds later, another buzz. "Ha… Let's meet up at my dorm?" Dré sent. "Cool… See ya soon." Lucas typed.
He slid the phone back into his pocket. The streets were quiet—just the low hum of streetlights and the faint rustle of trees swayed in the breeze. With his hoodie pulled tighter, Lucas set foot to ZUT.
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; the curtains danced in gentle rhythm. Dawn light shone faintly into the room—while their breaths moved in sync. Another breeze rushed in, brushed against Adriana's face. She flinched; her lashes fluttered before her eyes slowly opened. She blinked; her gaze wandered to the building across the street. The other windows blinds were drawn. Absentmindedly, she traced her fingers down Stephen's chest, she felt the warmth of his skin beneath her touch. Stephen stirred, his eyes opened to the soft blur of morning light. He took a slow breath, stared up at the ceiling before his hand found its way to her hair.
"Good morning, sky bird." he mumbled. 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." he replied. She brushed her fingers gently across his chest. "That's the last thing you want." Adriana said. Stephen raised his head slightly. "What do you mean?" he asked.
"After all this time… you're still married." Adriana murmured, her gaze steady on him. Stephen jolted upright. "Oh shit!" he hollered. Adriana slipped off his chest, 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 hung over his shoulder. "What's the matter? I thought you missed this?" she murmured. "I did… I do… it's just… Even though reconnection is validated, my integrity speaks no truth— our vows broken, does this make me the bad guy?" Stephen wondered aloud. Adriana rubbed across his back "Stephen…" she murmured. Stephen swung his legs off the bed. "I'm sorry, Adriana—I have to go." he murmured and dressed hastily.
She draped the duvet around her shoulders "Steph… don't carry guilt for what happened." she said. "How can I? I—I just broke our vows and I broke my promise to God, I promised myself—that I left that life behind." Stephen whispered.
"But just relax. Don't dwell on it… let's see this as a reunion." Adriana whispered. Once he finished dress, he took a deep breath. "Okay… hopefully we can catch up some time? stay in touch?" Stephen said. Adriana tied her hair "Yeah… hopefully. I really wanted to see my little Tokyo." she murmured. "Would you believe she's turning eighteen." Stephen said.
"Yes, I would… that's my daughter." she said, "And do you even remember how old our Lucas is?" Adriana added. "Yeah—why'd you ask?" Stephen asked. "Never mind… you've got greater things to worry about." Adriana whispered, her gaze lingered 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, "I'll come to you."
"Cool." he murmured. Suddenly their lips met softly, an elegant kiss, her hand wrapped around his neck. When he finally drew back, he walked to the exit… only to halt abruptly. "It was truly lovely seeing you again." Stephen said, his tone soft and heartfelt. "Likewise." she waved playfully.
Finally, Stephen left the room. Adriana stayed behind, she stared at the door with a smirk, a quiet satisfaction visible in her gaze. Eventually he made his way downstairs, he passed through the diner's main floor, the soft creak of the floorboards beneath him echoed. Outside Tommy's Jol, the early morning light bathed the street in pale gold. Stephen paused for a moment, then he stepped onto Red Sea Avenue, his stride conflicted with emotions. Guilt tugged at one side of him, happiness on the other—but he couldn't decide which feeling to trust. Still, his shoulders squared and the beginning of a long walk back home began.
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, busy 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. Kyle yawned. "Abigail, when are you going home?" His voice was slow, heavy with sleep. "Huh?" she said. "What do you mean? I'm already at home." She exhaled slowly. Kyle laughed, nearly shed a tear. "Stop fucking around. Aren't your parents gonna… you know, get worried or something?" His replied. "Please, I don't even stay with my parents anymore." Abigail said. "Oh?" Kyle gasped with shock. "So… where do you stay?" He turned to look at her.
Abigail rose and wobbled her hair "Roman Estates." she said. Nikki burst into the living room with Mark. "What are y'all talking about?" she asked. She Dropped to her knees; she took a puff from Abigail's hand. "Nothing. What's up, Mark?" Kyle said, gave him a quick nod.
"Sup', what you say?" Mark asked. Kyle dropped his phone onto the couch. "Can't complain… but what brings you here? Lemme guess, you don't even want to be sober anymore, huh?" he said with a grin. "I was helping Nikki close up—" he started "Please." Nikki cut him off. "You were just helping yourself to the bar." she laughed.
Abigail nearly spilt the ashtray off her lap. The room hummed with lazy smoke and leftover laughter. "Ain't nothing new with you, huh?" Kyle said. Mark raised his hands to plead "Wait—I can explain." he blurted out. "Nee, jy's 'n kombuisvark." Nikki shot back. The room erupted again—Abigail choking on her laugh, Kyle slapped the couch and Mark just shook his head like a man defeated by his own reputation. "What?" Mark blinked. The laughter hit a wall.
Kay stood in the doorway, framed by the hallway light, her silky dress whispered with every subtle move. "What's the joke?" she asked. "Nothing." Nikki said quickly, "But… where're you going?" Kay made her way into the living room, switched on the TV without a word.
"A memorial service." she said. "Damn." Kyle muttered, "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, then he snatched the joint from Nikki without thinking. "Yeah." Kyle said. "You kiddos can stay here. I'm already late." Kay said, she strid toward the door. She swept the bottle of wine into her hand and left a faint scent of red wine and perfume behind.
Nikki clicked her tongue. "Sy dink sy's warm." she muttered. "Wait… seriously? What are you saying?" Mark said. Abigail laughed unnaturally. Kyle joined in. "It's all good, man. I don't even understand the language myself, kodwa ngiyathanda Khuluma IsiZulu." he smirked. Nikki drifted toward the hallway. "Whatever… anyways, I'm off to sleep." she said, "Wake me up at 3 p.m.—if you dare."
"Yeah." Mark agreed. "Check the time… and I still haven't slept." he said. Abigail yawned and stretched loudly, "Guess I have to go home now." she said. "Duh!" Kyle called out, "you should've left hours ago." Abigail glared at Kyle; her cheeks puffed in mock offense. "Awe… you don't like having me around?" she teased. He shrugged. "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, otherwise my mom's gonna' freak out." he said. Abigail sniffed. "I guess that's fair." she rose to her feet. "But we're hanging out later… right?" she asked, hopeful. "Yeah sure." Kyle responded. Mark stood from the couch "Are you love birds done?" he asked. "I'm heading out. You need a lift?" His eyes met Abigail's. "Who me?" She asked. "Yeah, who else would I be talking to?" Mark added. "Oh… okay, yeah sure." Abigail replied. Together, she and Mark headed toward the entrance, eventually they disappeared down the hallway. Kyle leaned back on the couch, his legs propped up and eyes glued to his phone, the room suddenly quiet from their absence. Mark and Abigail Walked side by side down the corridor to the elevator, they stepped into whatever the new day had in store.