Chapter 2: A City Breathing Fear
The morning sunlight streamed in through the curtains of Aaron's house, casting a soft glow on the living room floor where the three friends had crashed the night before. Ethan lay curled up on the couch, Tina stretched out on a makeshift bed made of cushions, and Aaron had taken his room upstairs.
A loud yawn echoed through the house as Aaron descended the stairs, rubbing his eyes. "Wake up, you freeloaders," he joked, nudging Ethan with his foot.
Tina groaned, burying her face deeper into her pillow. Ethan slowly sat up, blinking. "Feels like I got hit by a truck."
"You kinda did," Aaron smirked, walking into the kitchen. "Come on, breakfast."
A few minutes later, the three of them sat around Aaron's dining table. Toast, eggs, and coffee were set. There was some light chatter, a few jokes, but underneath it all lingered an unspoken tension—each of them aware of the decaying state of the city outside this small moment of peace.
After breakfast, they each returned to their own homes to prepare for the day.
---
Tina arrived at the cyber department, her ID card flashing across the scanner as she entered the building. Inside, the scene was disappointingly familiar—some colleagues were gossiping, others playing games on their systems, a few lazily flipping through paperwork.
"The city's crumbling, and this is what the tech backbone looks like," Tina muttered under her breath, sinking into her chair. She powered up her computer, her screen lighting up with a backlog of reports she knew no one would read.
Nearby, two employees murmured.
"Another one last night. This time a board member."
"When the hell are we gonna do something?"
Tina leaned back in her chair, looking up at the ceiling. Boredom lined her face, but beneath it was something deeper—resentment.
---
Ethan stepped out onto the street, dressed in his usual waiter uniform. As he walked toward Jass Restaurant, he passed people whose faces told silent stories—fear, despair, frustration. Some clutched their bags tightly, others hurried without making eye contact. One woman whispered prayers under her breath.
The atmosphere was suffocating.
When Ethan entered the restaurant, the mood was no different. Customers sat in silence, eating with blank stares. The TV on the wall flashed yet another news alert about rising crime.
"Ethan!" Jessica's voice rang out.
He turned. Jessica's eyes widened when she noticed the bruises on his face.
"You came in like that? Hold on. Dad!" she called toward the back.
Mr. Jass emerged, his expression darkening as he saw Ethan's condition. "You should rest, Ethan. Take the day off."
"I'm fine, really," Ethan replied, trying to wave it off.
Mr. Jass sighed. "Alright. But don't overdo it."
Jessica stepped closer. "If you're not fit for floor duty, why not help me in the kitchen today?"
Ethan smiled faintly. "Sounds good."
He followed her inside.
---
At the police headquarters, Aaron stood straight in front of the Commissioner's desk.
"Sir, the crimes are getting bolder," Aaron began. "They're not just happening at night anymore. Broad daylight murders. Citizens are afraid to walk the streets. If we don't act now, criminals will run this city."
The Commissioner didn't even lift his head from the file he was flipping through. "You're worrying too much, Aaron."
Aaron clenched his fists subtly. "I'm requesting permission to form a special investigation team to look into the underworld's rise. We need to—"
"Catch pickpockets. Fine people who break traffic rules. That's your job," the Commissioner interrupted. "Stop chasing shadows."
Aaron swallowed his frustration. "Understood, sir. Sorry to disturb you."
"Good. Now you're finally seeing reason."
Aaron saluted stiffly. "Yes, sir."
As Aaron turned to leave, the Commissioner chuckled at something in his book.
Aaron stopped, glaring silently. The city is dying, and you're laughing over some stupid book.
Aaron turned and exited the office, the door closing behind him with a quiet thud.
In the corridor outside,
He stepped out into the corridor — and froze. The same thugs he'd arrested last night walked freely, smirking as a constable led them away without cuffs.
"Where are you taking them?" Aaron demanded.
"They've been granted bail, sir," the constable replied casually.
One thug brushed Aaron's shoulder as they passed, his smirk venomous.
Aaron paused As he stood there. His eyes, once full of hope, now burned with something else—resolve. He knew then: the system would not help him. He would have to act on his own.
And he would.
Chapter ends.