Entering the complex, he’s not surprised to find Mr. J sitting at the counter. The older man gives him a solemn nod. “I got your message.”

Zye stops on the other side. He keeps his hands sheathed in his pockets as he meets the man’s gaze. “Sorry about the short notice.”

“Seriously? You paid for the rest of the month and next, I can’t complain. Besides, there’s plenty of people looking for housing ‘round these parts.”

“I just have one last bag of stuff to grab—”

“You can leave everything else there. I’ll take care of it.”

Zye raises a brow at this. “Are you sure?”

“Of course. I got people that can take care of everything else. All you gotta do is get your stuff and get movin’.”

He takes a step away from the counter as Mr. J slides off his stool. The elder man begins shuffling through papers inside of the counter’s drawers. It’s a sign for Zye to put more distance between them. “I did want to thank you, though.”

Mr. J lifts his head, looking at Zye from under the brim of his musty-green cap.

“I mean it.” Zye shifts from one foot to the other. “We wouldn’t have made it very far without you.”

“Ah shush it. You make me sound nice. I was just doing a favor for Kass, don’t put more thought into it.” Mr. J gives a laugh as he moves out from behind the counter and over to Zye. His volume drops a bit, keeping the conversation between them just in case anyone walks through. He claps a hand to Zye’s shoulder. “Take care of yourself. Be safe and stop pickin’ fights.”

Zye snorts and pulls away, surprised that Mr. J touched him. “I don’t start them, I finish them.”

“It’s still a fight! Remember to watch your thumb when you punch. Like I showed ya.”

“Yeah, yeah I know. If you need any help with something, call me. I don’t mind.”

“Thanks, kiddo. Now hurry up I’m sure ya got things to do. Just leave the key on the counter.”

A curt wave over his shoulder and Zye is going for the stairs. He makes his way up through the stairwell and to his room. It’s a quick job that he’s hoping will be uneventful. It’s why he’s timed it so that Xerxes will be at school. He slips into the apartment, grabs his last bag of clothes, and leaves the key on the kitchen counter.

It all takes less than a few minutes to be back out into the hall and locking up behind himself. Just as he tugs the door shut one final time, he hears the click of heels on the floor behind him. They don’t stop until they’re past him, idling there as she doesn’t want to turn around to face him.

Zye peeks at Aisa from the corner of his eye. He doesn’t want to give her a chance, yet he does. After a moment she lets out a sigh. “I’m sorry to hear about your mother.” There’s a small pause. “And I’m sorry if what I said hurt you. But I also hope you understand. Please continue to stay away from Xerxes.”

The metal is cold against his palm. He tugs away from the door to shove his hands back in his pockets. The bag on his shoulder is heavy and the keyring he wraps his fingers around bites into his skin. It tells him all he needs to know— Xerxes hasn’t said a word about seeing him. It’s for the best if it’ll keep Aisa off his case about it.

“Then you’ll be ecstatic to know I’m moving.”

At that, she partially turns with surprise written across her face. Zye moves for the stairs while keeping his back to her.

“You should trust him more, he’s not a bad kid. In fact, you could probably learn something about being nice from him.”

She goes to move toward him as he takes that first step down. “Zye—I, you know I’m only doing it to protect him. It’s got nothing to do with you personally.”

“It sure feels like it.” The reply is accompanied by a glance over his shoulder, one that’s fleeting and far too much even then. “Goodbye and good luck, Aisa.”

The rest of the stairs can’t come fast enough. She doesn’t make to follow and he’s happy for that. Not that he thinks she ever will run after him. Even the apology is leaving a sour taste in his mouth. It makes it easier to slip out the back exit once he’s dropped off the key and climb onto his motorcycle.

Far easier to be done with that part of his life.

Since the night he had that episode, he hasn’t had any further issues. It’s as if it never happened in the first place. Which is fine by Zye since he started working the next day. The eagerness to get back to doing something consistent isn’t something he expected. However, he’s grateful for it. It eases his thoughts to some degree.

That and spending his breaks being around Kass. She helps the grieving process if anything. The little bit of time they’ve spent together in the last few days has been a blessing to him. He didn’t dare tell her about his tiny episode either. He doesn’t want to worry her after losing Lyra. Not when he thinks he’s fine.

Maybe just a reaction? Stress perhaps?

Regardless, he has the night off after taking the morning shift. He lounges on the couch until he hears the familiar chime that is Callua’s message. Zye retrieves the phone, double checks that she’s on her way, and hauls himself up off the couch. A groan slips from his lips as he heads for the door.

“Here’s to hoping she doesn’t get lost.”

He steps outside under the porch light and the moths buzzing around it. Yet the sound they make is nothing compared to the shout a couple houses down, just there before the bend. From the distance, he can make out a few figures. From what he can see it has to be two or three men if the vehicle idling at the street is anything to go by.

The bright, white light spills across the sidewalk and up the yard. It casts shadows across everyone but the woman waving her arm at the men. It has one of them pulling out something that glints in the light. It immediately sets off warning bells for Zye. He knows what to look for in situations like that.

Sandals slap against the sidewalk as he jogs to the scene breaking out. “Everything alright?” he calls out as he gets closer.

The men are easier to make out once he’s a bit off to the side yet between them and her. She gives him a glance, lips already beginning to part, when one of the men speaks up. He’s got a cigarette between his teeth. “None of your business, buddy.”

“It is now that I’m your buddy.”

A sneer is shot back at him. “Hope that smart ass of yours can take a hit since you can’t take the hint.” The man jabs a finger in the woman’s direction as Zye moves near her. “Take it you know this whore?”

“I know her yeah. Nice lady, unlike you.” Zye doesn’t step in front of her, only to the side of her and a smidgen closer to the men. “Glad you got your lights on so I can get a good look at your ugly ass face.”

“Eh!?” The man flicks the cigarette onto the grass. White, bleached hair sways about his forehead as he shakes his head. “The hell is wrong with you? Looking for me to kick your ass that bad?”

The one behind him, with the shaved sides of his head and tuft of crimson on top, shoulders past who must be the leader. Zye eyes the knife in the redhead’s hand. He’s not flaunting it— certainly not hiding it either. His deep voice pierces the air. “Go home, this doesn’t concern you.”

Zye chooses to ignore them all, including the man leaning against the steering wheel of the car. His eyes meet with the woman’s and he recognizes her instantly. Shae introduced him to her the other day. A fierce woman around his age with enough bite to back up her bark. While she’s not a Chroma, she’s nothing but kind to those she works with.

“Need some help with these freaks or are you okay?”

“Trying to play the knight in shining armor?” she scoffs at him. Brown eyes try to get a message to him without having to say a word. One that he hears loud and clear.

Zye shrugs. “Just wanted to know what the commotion was. My job doesn’t end when I get home.”

“Oh? That’s nice to know. Maybe I’ll have you walk me home next time,” replies the woman while flicking dark braids over her shoulder.

A sly smile crosses his countenance. “It’d be my pleasure.”

They both know the conversation and the fact they’re ignoring these men is only pissing them off more. Accelerated by the fact that Zye turns his back to them. As if to say he’s not intimidated and doesn’t care in the slightest.

“The hell is wrong with you two? Hey, Ro, get him out of my way. This whore owes me time or my money back and I’m gonna get it.”

Years of living on the edge make it easy. He can feel the presence and see the shadow. Zye steps to the side, missing the stab of the knife. His palm knocks against the man’s arm, continuing his momentum toward the woman. Of which, she pulls her arm back and delivers a punch to his face.

Zye spins around and stomps his foot onto the cigarette trying to burn through the grass. He twists his shoe against it until he’s sure he’s put it out. All the while he’s towering over their so-called leader. He lets him get a good look at the purple-blue eyes as he glares at him, all without touching him.

“I don’t think she owes you shit. Now that I’ve seen your face, you’d better stay out of this area and away from Ruby’s Light. Got it?”

Dark green eyes widen, staring up at Zye while trying to gauge the situation. The man doesn’t believe he can win now. The intimidation has checked his ego and he’s lost. He makes to move back with a voice that wavers. “C—Come on guys, this bitch isn’t worth it.”

The leader spins around and hurries to the car. The engine whines as it’s revved followed by the passenger door slamming shut. The third man is picking himself up, the knife left on the ground from where he dropped it. The woman keeps her eye on him.

Even she can’t stop him in time.

Zye is just turning around when the man’s knuckles catch him on the jaw. His reactions, however, aren’t stale. He stumbles back one step before returning the action in kind. The man’s already bloodied nose gives a sickening crack as Zye’s fist connects.

The man reels back, hands clapping against his face. Fingers are staining with the blood dribbling out of his nose and busted lip. The leader leans out of the car, “Dammit, let’s go already!” It finally has him glaring at both before rushing to the vehicle and climbing in.

They pull out, the lights sweeping from grass to street, and are off the next second. It finally leaves them alone with the woman stretching out her hand to Zye. She gives him a half-cocked smile. “Thanks for the help. Name’s Sara.”

“Zye,” he replies with a clasp of his hand to hers.

A brief shake and she pulls away, hands settling on her hips. It’s only then that he truly gets a good look at her and her silhouette outlined in the dull porch light from the house further back. She’s almost as tall as he is and looks as though she could probably lay him flat if he dared provoke her.

“Oh right, you’re the new guy. Not bad, by the way, for being in sandals.”

“Stripper boots aren’t really my thing.”

She practically howls with laughter at that considering that’s what she’s wearing. “Aren’t you something? At least you can walk the walk though.”

“I don’t know. I thought your punch was better.”

“Hah! It was, thank you for noticing. Was nice to have some help for a change.”

There are hurried footfalls that draw Zye’s attention. The light slap against his shoulder even more so. He glares over at Callua and the fierce orange gaze that bores into him. “Cal? That hurt, what’s wrong with you?”

She shifts into a smile toward Sara before turning back to Zye with a glare. “Me? What about you? I got here just in time to see that guy deck you!”

“I’m fine.” He nods to Sara. “See you around. If you need anything I’m just down there.”

“Thanks again. Hope it doesn’t bruise up too bad on you.”

Zye allows Callua to grab his arm and begin tugging him away. The entire time she’s rambling about what an idiot he is; rushing into things is stupid, not watching his back is worse, and playing it cool is irritating. When she finally lets him go they’re standing out in front of the house with the porch light kicking back on.

“It’s fine, really, Cal.”

She huffs up at him before pinching his side, earning an ‘ow’ from him. “I’m just glad you’re alright.”

His gaze lifts and he finally sees another person standing off to the side. Someone he’s never seen before and surely wasn’t here when he first came out. Bright silver eyes, dark brown hair held back by a yellow bandanna, and dashes of that same color beneath his eyes. A dot is between each dash, three in total.

Otherwise, he’s not much to look at. His clothing is simple and plain from the jeans cut off past his knees to the gray t-shirt hanging loosely off his frame. He doesn’t even glance over at Zye until Callua is tugging Zye over to him. She smiles at both in turn. “Zye, this is Jace. Jace, this is Zye.”

“Hello,” the deep reply rumbles out.

“’Ey,” replies Zye.

Callua rolls her eyes. She’s already regretting bringing Jace with her. “So, this is the guy I work with.”

Zye raises an eyebrow at this. “Oh? You mean the one you badmouth all the time?”

“W—What? No, I’d never say that about good ole Jace!” She doesn’t dare look at the exasperated look on Jace’s face. “Besides, it’s only when you ruin my day off. Swear.”

“Sure.”

Callua finally meets Jace’s gaze with a glare. He’s not making this easy in the slightest. She gestures to the house. “Well? Going to keep a lady outside all night or are you going to invite me in?”

“Like you weren’t going to invite yourself?”

The two of them go to make for the house only for Jace to stay rooted to where he stands. “I’ll wait out here.”

Callua turns her head and sticks her tongue out at Jace. Not that he responds. She grabs Zye’s arm and hurries them into the house. They’re just in the entryway with the door shut and shoes still on. She tilts her head up. “Sorry…about him. He’s bad about meeting new people. He’s a good guy. A workaholic but not bad, promise.”

“Ah, I see. ‘Bout time you found someone nice to settle down with.”

The grin is as bad as the words. The distaste that crosses her features is pure, visible discomfort. “Zye. Oh God no. Thank you but no. If you don’t want me to kill you, don’t ever say that again.”

Zye can’t help but chuckle as he grabs his phone. A quick check tells him that Shae is ready to come home. He’d be lying if he said he wasn’t worried about Shae. Then again, they’ve been picking each other up and walking back home since their shifts haven’t been aligning. “I’m gonna go get Shae if you don’t mind waiting.”