Xavier paced the living room for the twentieth time, peeking out the window like someone expecting a delivery that never came. Amber hadn’t come home since she left for her jog that morning.She wasn’t at the café either because he had gone there to check and the new barista old Mike hired and the curly-haired girl that always smiled too hard, said they hadn’t seen Amber all day. “Amber doesn’t just vanish,” Xavier muttered to himself.He had scrolled through his phone twice, wondering if he should call the police. What would he even say to them? That his friend went jogging and didn’t return? She was a grown woman, not a teenager and you cannot file a missing report if it wasn’t up to 24 hours. But still, it wasn’t like her.He was halfway out the door, shoes barely tied, when he heard the jingle of keys at the door.That could only be one person, Amber.Still in her black joggers and sweatshirt, with sweat clinging to her skin, hair sticking out under her cap. But it wasn’t just th

Xavier was walking back from Golden Oven bakery, his backpack hung loosely over one shoulder. His body ached, and his pride hurt even more. They had made him sweep the stinking back room, then carry flour like he was a delivery man. His supervisor said his work was "sloppy." He sighed and crossed Atlantic Avenue, near the bus stop.That was when he noticed them.Three teenage boys, leaning against a graffiti-covered wall beside a vape shop. At first, he almost walked past them. Then he recognized one of their faces and stopped. “What the…” he muttered, taking a step back.The moment the boys saw him, their posture changed. They jumped off the wall without warning and dropped to their knees right there on the sidewalk. “Sir! Please!” the one wearing a red cap stammered. “We’re really sorry, we didn’t know it would go that far!” “What…?” Xavier frowned, looking around in confusion. “It was just a joke,” the shorter one added, his hands shaking. “We didn’t know you had… connectio

Xavier stared at the phone in his hand for a long moment. His thumb hovered over the dial button like it weighed a ton. He had changed his number again. It was the only way Lisa would ever pick up.He didn’t expect much from this call. Maybe closure or a bit of kindness, if there was any humanity left in her. But mostly, he just wanted to hear his daughter’s voice, Emerald. His Emerald.He took a deep breath and hit the call.It rang once. Twice. “Hello?” Lisa’s voice was sharp, cautious.He almost hung up, the sound of her voice sent shrill down his spine. It felt like ages since he last heard her song like voice. “It’s me… Xavier.”There was silence and he was so sure she was going to hang up on him.But then the line crackled with annoyance. “How did you get this number?” “Please don’t hang up,” he rushed. “I just… I needed to hear your voice. I wanted to know how Emerald is doing.”She didn’t reply immediately. Just a deep exhale that felt like a blade slicing through years of

“And I… will always love you…” Xavier sang along with the loud music from the speakers, eyes closed.His singing was terrible.The music in the bar was too loud for his liking, but for once, he didn’t care. He needed this night away from everything. Tonight, he just wanted to drink and have fun.Xavier raised his bottle and clinked it against Chris’. “Cheers to surviving another day in this messed-up world.”Chris leaned closer, smirking. “So… you and Amber, huh?”Xavier frowned. “What?” “You two act like a couple. Always arguing, but still close. You even finish each other’s sentences these days.”Amber scoffed. “Please. He’s like an annoying big brother.” “Exactly,” Xavier said, pointing at her with his drink. “Thank you!”But Chris wasn’t done. He raised a brow. “Are you sure? Because I’ve seen how she looks at you when you’re not paying attention.”Amber suddenly choked on her drink. “Shut up, Chris,” she said, coughing and trying to laugh it off. “You always say nonsens

Xavier walked into the lounge with his hoodie pulled low and his hands deep in his pockets. The place was quiet, mostly empty, with low music playing in the background. He spotted her immediately… Celeste, sitting in the far corner, sipping cocktails like she had nothing better to do.She didn’t smile when he sat down. Just looked up slowly, her eyes already studying him. “Took you long enough,” she said. “I almost didn’t come,” he muttered.”I've got other serious stuff to worry about right now.”“But you came, you are here. And that's good.”He looked away.Celeste leaned in slightly. “You look like hell. What happened? You and your roommate get into it?” “I’m fine.” “You sure? Because your face says otherwise.”Xavier sighed and shook his head. “I’m not here to talk about Amber.”She smirked. “So you admit that’s what this is about.” “It’s not.” “Oh, come on,” she said. “You’re living with her, and from what I’ve seen and heard, she’s doing a lot more than just letting yo