Chapter 12: Whispers in the Dark
In a secluded area at the base stood a newly renovated building—one reserved for the main hunters.
The hallway was silent, save for Fey, who was making her way to her room. She paused at her door, hand on the knob, when a voice called out behind her.
"Fey."
She turned to see Kade approaching.
"Oh, hey Dad," she said.
Kade's eyes narrowed slightly. "Are you alright?"
Fey forced a smile. "Yeah."
He stepped closer. "I know the look you get when something's wrong. You blink more than usual."
Fey became conscious of it and tried to stop blinking.
"How was the hunt today?" Kade asked.
"It was great," Fey replied quickly.
"So, you had a good time?"
"Yeah," she repeated.
Kade glanced at his watch. "I'm late," he muttered, then looked back at her with concern. "I still think something's going on. If you have any problems, you can talk to me. I'm here for you. I know we're not always together, but now… we are."
Fey gave a small nod.
Kade smiled gently and stepped back. "And since we're together, maybe you can make me a fire cake sometime?"
Fey smiled as she opened the door. "I promise." She entered her room and closed the door softly behind her.
Kade stood for a moment, staring at the closed door, his smile fading just a little.
Elsewhere, Jex lay on a rooftop, munching on pretzels while staring up at the stars. His fingers occasionally brushed over the chain necklace around his neck, thoughts drifting between his past and his time at the base.
A sudden sound jolted him to alertness.
He sat up, then stood and crept to the edge of the rooftop. From there, he spotted Riven emerging from the building below, hands in his pockets.
"Hmm... what's this guy up to?" Jex muttered, intrigued.
With a quiet leap, Jex dropped from the rooftop and began tailing Riven.
Riven walked with purpose, heading into the dark, empty park. Once inside, he pulled out a sleek card.
"Where is Blake Armin?" he asked aloud.
Riven frowned. He had no idea where that was. What he didn't know was that Jex was quietly trailing him at a distance.
Riven then produced another card.
A portal shimmered into view in front of him. Without hesitation, he stepped through and vanished.
Jex came to a stop, eyes narrowing. "Damn it. This guy is getting more sus every day." He sighed and plopped onto a nearby bench, deep in thought.
Meanwhile, at a high-tech laser simulation center, Blake and his friends were cheering.
"That's what I'm talking about!" Blake exclaimed, exchanging high fives with his crew.
"That's how we roll!" Tony grinned.
"Yeah, people like us are at the top," Blake added confidently.
They exited the simulation room and hung their VR gear and laser guns on a rack.
"You got plans for tonight?" Blake asked.
"Yeah," Tony replied.
At that moment, two girls appeared at the far end of the hall, one holding cotton candy.
"Come on, Tony! The movie's starting!" one of them called.
Tony flashed a smile. "Gotta go," he said to Blake, then hurried off with them.
Blake smirked, pulling out Riven's credit card and slipping it into his pocket as he left the building.
Just then, Riven stepped out of a portal behind a nearby shop. Without drawing attention, he snagged some small souvenirs—a mask and a raincoat.
Back at the park, Jex still sat waiting, his thoughts swirling with suspicions.
Not far away, Blake was heading out of the building, whistling casually. But the tune died in his throat when he noticed a masked figure step out from the trees—Riven.
"And who are you supposed to be?" Blake asked, annoyed.
The figure said nothing. He just stood there, still and silent, the tension between them growing thick.
Blake scoffed. "Being mysterious, huh? Expecting me to be scared? That costume looks like it came from a cheap horror movie."
From his hiding spot in the bushes, Jex narrowed his eyes. "Is that Riven?" he whispered.
Without a word, Riven picked up a metal trash-picker and hurled it toward Blake. It missed by inches, embedding itself deep into a nearby tree.
Blake stared, stunned. No one had ever challenged him like that.
"So that's how you wanna play it, huh?" he said, smirking.
Riven silently dropped into a fighting stance.
"I guess so," Blake said, matching his stance.
From the shadows, Jex watched, the puzzle pieces of suspicion falling into place.