“Hahaha,” Alex burst into laughter, his glee practically echoing off the walls. “My god, how can you be so good at everything you do?”
The group seemed utterly captivated by Lore Lovelace. She stood there like a shining beacon, her every word igniting their excitement. They looked at her like she was their leader, their muse, their golden ticket to… whatever this madness was supposed to be.
But instead of being swept up in the glow, I felt a chill creep into my heart.
Then, as if summoned by my very thoughts, Lore turned her gaze to me. Her eyes were sharp, unrelenting, the kind of look that felt like it was peeling away layers to get at something buried underneath. “What do you think, North?”
I froze. Why me? Why not Alex? He’s already halfway to worshipping you. Ask him!
I wasn’t even remotely interested in her harebrained scheme, whatever it was. All I wanted was to shrug and give some noncommittal response, maybe mumble something about needing more coffee before I could form an opinion. But no. The weight of their stares pressed down on me like a lead blanket, the kind they use before an X-ray to make sure you don’t accidentally radiate the rest of the hospital. Even Jade was watching intently, her silver eyes narrowed in that particular way that said don’t mess this up. Maybe they thought I was the wise one, the voice of reason in the group? Fantastic. Peer pressure, thy name is “a room full of people who think I know what I’m doing.”
My shoulders slouched from all the invisible weight.
“It’s… very good,” I said finally, keeping my tone as neutral as humanly possible. My face didn’t twitch, didn’t falter—years of dealing with awkward situations had given me the kind of poker face you could sell to a Vegas casino.
Lore tilted her head slightly, waiting for more, and the rest of the group leaned in, practically salivating for my next profound insight.
I furrowed my brow slightly, adopting what I hoped was a thoughtful expression. Maybe if I looked like I was taking her idea seriously, they’d stop staring. “Why don’t I… add one more thing to camping?” I suggested calmly, my voice betraying none of my reluctance.
If they were going to dive headfirst into insanity, I wasn’t about to let them think I was the odd one out.
“Whoever can take control of the entire villain gang wins,” I said, delivering the line with calculated confidence.
The group stared at me, a mixture of surprise and intrigue lighting up their faces.
“Whoa,” Alex said, eyes wide. “That’s… actually kind of brilliant.”
Lore’s lips curled into a slow smile. “Interesting twist. I didn’t think you had it in you.”
Inside, I wanted to bang my head against a wall. Outside, I gave a slight shrug, like it was no big deal.
Fine. If someone was determined to leap off the metaphorical cliff, I might as well yank away their floaters while they’re midair. That’s just how I operated—petty by nature. Push me an inch? I’ll shove you the rest of the way. Philosophy 101, courtesy of myself, North. As I was already at the short end of this cliff—thank you, Lore—I figured I might as well lean into it. If chaos was what they wanted, chaos was what I’d give them. Wrapped up neatly, tied with a silver bow, and with a handwritten note saying, “Enjoy!” Let’s see who regretted it first.
“That’s a very good idea,” Gina said, her voice practically sparkling with enthusiasm. She clapped her hands together, “I knew we could rely on you—you’re the best!”
My eye twitched involuntarily. It took every ounce of restraint not to roll it. It felt like watching a group of naive kids making increasingly reckless decisions, while all I could do was brace myself. Let’s see how far this trainwreck would go. I could only hope for the best—or at least that no one got themselves killed.
“Well,” Lore said, her tone smooth as ever, “if we’re going to do this, we’ll need to approach it strategically. No haphazard attempts. We should each choose gangs that match our skillsets and let's take a few days to do a through research.”
“Agreed,” Alex said, practically bouncing on his heels. “This is going to be amazing. Think of all the intel we’ll gather!”
As the group began to disperse, their heads buzzing with ambitious plans, I grabbed Jade’s hand and pulled her along with me.
“You’re finally taking me to your home,” she said, her voice bubbling with excitement. The corners of her lips lifted in a radiant smile that made it impossible to look away. Before I could even respond, she leaned in and planted a quick peck on my cheek.
I froze, blinking in surprise. My brain stalled. Was this really something to get excited about?
I glanced at her, utterly baffled, as she practically skipped beside me, her energy infectious. She seemed completely unfazed by my stunned reaction, her silver eyes sparkling as she swung our joined hands lightly between us.
To be honest, I didn’t get it. Compared to Jade’s house, mine wasn’t much to write home about. It was small and cramped, nothing like her spacious place with its hanging plants, superhero-ready basement, and cozy corners for deep thoughts or tinkering with gadgets. My house didn’t have “character.” It had a living room that doubled as storage for Aunt Grace’s endless knick-knacks and a kitchen where the microwave still had a blinking 12:00. But when I looked at Jade, I saw nothing but genuine enthusiasm radiating from her. My bafflement melted into mild embarrassment. Maybe she’s not comparing, I thought. Maybe it’s just the idea of being invited into my space that makes her happy.
And for some reason, that made me feel… warm. Warm and slightly awkward.
I felt her infiltrating more and more of my heart. And there wasn’t a damn thing I could do about it.
Jade was practically bouncing on her tiptoes by the time I unlocked the front door. “Is there anything I should know before stepping in?” she asked playfully, her eyes gleaming. “Is your bedroom secretly a villain lair? Or is it one of those rooms where the floor is just clothes?”
“No villain lair,” I said dryly, rolling my eyes as I pushed the door open. “And I’m not that messy.”
“Hmm, I’ll be the judge of that,” she teased, leaning in like she could peer through the door before I even unlocked it.
Finally, the lock clicked, and I pushed the door open. To my relief, the house was quiet. Aunt Grace was still at work, sparing me the awkward task of explaining why I’d brought a girl home. Not that she’d disapprove—if anything, she’d be thrilled—but I wasn’t in the mood for her winking and nudging commentary. The house was quiet, the faint hum of the refrigerator the only sound. Jade stepped inside, her eyes scanning the small living room. She didn’t say anything right away, just took it in, her expression thoughtful.
“Well?” I asked, breaking the silence. “It’s not much, but…”
“It’s cozy,” she said sincerely, her gaze flicking to me. “I like it.”
I cleared my throat, gesturing vaguely toward the staircase. “My room’s upstairs,” I said.
She nodded, slipping off her shoes at the door without me needing to ask. Then she paused at the doorway, closing her eyes and taking a deep breath.
I found this habit of hers peculiar. She had a pattern of sniffing everything new, as if her nose needed to approve before her brain could process it. It wasn’t even pleasant scents either—if given the chance, I was pretty sure she’d even sniff rotten eggs. Maybe it made her feel grounded or comfortable, like how some people bite their nails or chew their lips or maybe it was just Jade being Jade.
“Everything okay there, detective?” I asked, leaning casually against the doorframe.
She ignored me, stepping inside with an exaggerated air of curiosity. And before I could say anything else, she launched herself onto my bed, landing face-first in the blankets with a muffled fwump.
I froze for half a second, grateful I’d taken the time to clean the room the day before, anticipating this visit. There was nothing for me to worry about—everything was in order and spotless—no stray pants or jackets, no forgotten coffee mugs, no mystery crumbs lurking in the corners.
As expected, she grinned, then sniffed the air again like some sort of curious puppy exploring unfamiliar territory. “It smells like you,” she said simply, her tone matter-of-fact.
I blinked. “Uh… is that a good thing?”
Jade tilted her head, her silver eyes sparkling with amusement. “I haven’t decided yet.”
“Great,” I muttered, rolling my eyes as I sat down in the chair by my desk. “So glad my personal scent is up for debate.”
She laughed, rolling onto her side and propping her head up on her hand. “Don’t take it personally. I just like to… catalog things.”
“Catalog?” I repeated, raising an eyebrow. “What are you, a librarian?”
“Maybe,” she teased, wrinkling her nose playfully. “I like knowing the details. Like how your bed smells like… lavender and…” She paused, sniffing again dramatically, “...cinnamon?”
“Laundry detergent,” I corrected. “And maybe the air freshener Aunt Grace uses.”
“Mm-hmm,” she said, unconvinced. “Sure.”
That’s when it hit me: she didn’t see me as a stranger anymore. Jade was entirely comfortable around me—comfortable enough to let this odd, curious side of herself come out without a second thought. It was endearing in a way I hadn’t expected, and I found myself smiling despite the chaos she was causing. Placing both our bags on the table, I was about to sit quietly on the chair to watch her antics when she suddenly sprang up again. This time, she started scanning everything in the room with wide, curious eyes, as though every corner held a hidden treasure waiting to be discovered.
I watched in mild amusement as her focus shifted to my wardrobe. Without hesitation, she slid the door open and began rummaging through the contents. Her fingers flitted over shirts, jackets, and pants like she was appraising fine art.
“I guess, make yourself at home,” I muttered, leaning back in the chair.
She either didn’t hear me or chose to ignore it, because she pulled out one of my sweatshirts, holding it up as if it were a prize.
After two minutes of shuffling, “Can I have this?” she asked, her voice casual but tinged with excitement.
I blinked, caught off guard. The sweatshirt wasn’t anything particularly special in my eyes. Sure, it was one of the unique pieces I’d picked up from an artist recently, but it was nothing extraordinary. “Uh… sure?”
Her grin widened, and she set the sweatshirt aside, then reached for another. By the time she was done, a small pile of my clothes had formed beside her—sweatshirts, two expensive and fancy leather jackets, and even one of my hoodies.
I crossed my arms, raising an eyebrow as she inspected her haul. “You planning to start a collection or something?”
She looked up at me with an innocent expression that was anything but. “What? You’ve already stolen two sets of my clothes. Fair’s fair.”
Her words made me hide my face by diverting my attention at the window. Okay, fine, I admitted to myself. She’s got a point. I still hadn’t returned her clothes, and I wasn’t planning to. They were just too comfortable—like wearing a cloud. I’d even tried to find similar fabric online and failed miserably. Her wardrobe was basically luxury disguised as casual wear.
When her curiosity finally settled, she plopped down in front of me on the bed, her legs tucked under her as she tilted her head, staring at me like a curious cat.
“What?” I asked, raising an eyebrow as her gaze lingered.
“You,” she said simply, a small smile playing on her lips.
"Me?" I echoed.
She nodded.
My heart skipped a beat, and I leaned closer without thinking, our faces just inches apart. Her heartbeat seemed to sync with mine. I didn’t know what it was about her in moments like this, but it felt like the world had slowed down, narrowing to just the two of us.
----------------------------------------
Two Hours Later…
“Our hands are almost the same,” Jade murmured, her fingers entwined with mine as she compared them.
We were lying in my bed, under the blanket, bare, our bodies tangled together like they’d been made to fit this way. This had practically become our everyday ritual over the past three weeks—wrapped around each other like snakes and rabbits, fighting and teasing but never wanting to let go. Usually, this happened at her place where she lived alone, but today, we’d broken routine. Between academy classes and these moments, we were spending more than fourteen hours a day together, and somehow, it still felt like the day was too short.
“But yours are prettier,” I noted, studying her fingers as they wove between mine. Her skin was softer, smoother, almost luminescent in the dim sunlight pouring through the curtains.
“Hehehe, how pretty?” she teased, her laughter light and mischievous as she turned her head to meet my gaze.
“Like… if angels did hand modeling,” I replied, pretending to be serious but cracking a grin. “I mean, I’m not an expert on celestial anatomy, but they’d probably be jealous of you.”
She snorted, burying her face in the pillow for a moment before looking up at me with that radiant, uncontainable smile of hers. “Angels? That’s a lot of pressure. What if they revoke my wings because I keep smacking you with these ‘pretty hands’ every time you say something dumb?” The warmth of her breath brushed against my neck as she shifted closer, the blanket slipping slightly to reveal the curve of her shoulder, smooth and golden in the dim light filtering through the curtains.
Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.
But without warning, the arrogant dragon returned in full force, aggressive as ever. Her silver eyes gleamed with a playful ferocity, and before I could react, her teeth found my shoulder—not hard enough to hurt, but enough to make me jolt. Sometimes, I wondered if she was secretly a vampire.
“Hey—ouch!” I yelped, my hand instinctively grabbing her waist as she laughed against my skin. Her giggle was light and breathy, the sound vibrating between us as she pressed closer, the softness of her chest brushing against mine.
“Let me go!” she teased, though the gleam in her eyes said she had no intention of stopping.
“Oh, you’re asking for it now,” I growled playfully, twisting us over in a smooth motion. My hands found her hips, fingers sinking into the warmth of her skin as I rolled her beneath me.
Her laughter bubbled up again, wilder this time as she squirmed beneath me, her legs tangling with mine. The friction of our bodies, the press of her against me, made it hard to focus on anything but the way she felt—soft and warm, but strong, her muscles taut as she fought back. “Surrender!” I demanded, breathless and grinning as I pinned her wrists above her head.
“Never!” she gasped, her chest rising and falling rapidly as she struggled in vain. Her skin glistened faintly.
Her resistance didn’t last long though. Eventually, her strength gave way, and I managed to pin her properly, holding her wrists above her head while she lay sprawled beneath me. She was gasping for air, her chest rising and falling as she tried to catch her breath. The arrogant dragon had to be punished again. It never learned from its mistakes, and worse, it seemed to enjoy repeating them over and over— though I was beginning to suspect it orchestrated these ‘defeats’ deliberately.
"You never learn, do you?" I said quietly. Her hair a wild mess sprawled across the pillow, and despite her “defeat,” she had the most satisfied smirk on her face.
My other hand brushed along her jawline, my thumb skimming her warm, flushed cheek. Her skin was soft beneath my touch, and I felt the faintest shiver run through her.
Then her lips curved into a small smirk, though her breathing was uneven. "Maybe I just like losing to you," she murmured mischievously, her voice low, her breath mingling with mine as the space between us shrank. "Or maybe I'm just pretending."
“Is that so?" I asked, leaning down until my forehead nearly touched hers. “Then keep dreaming.”
Her laughter bubbled up again, soft and genuine this time. “Keep telling yourself that,” she said, poking my chest lightly. Then, with a sudden spark of defiance, she added, “You know, if you weren’t so cocky about it, I might actually let you win sometimes.”
“Oh, is that how it works now?” I asked, tilting my head “You let me win?”
“Of course,” she said, grinning like she’d just uncovered some secret truth. “Maybe… I just like being close to you.”
My grip on her wrists loosened, and her hands slipped free. She didn’t push me away, though; instead, her fingers trailed down my arm, slow and deliberate, leaving a trace of warmth in their wake. When her hand came to rest over my heart, she stayed there, her touch light but grounding, as if she was listening to the rhythm beneath. For a while, we just lay there, the tension from earlier replaced by a calm warmth. She rested her head against my shoulder, and I wrapped an arm around her, pulling her closer.
The arrogant dragon might never learn from its defeats, but maybe that was part of its charm.
As we settled back into the quiet comfort of the moment, she shifted slightly, propping herself up on one elbow. The blanket slipped down, exposing her shoulder to the cool air, and the way her silver eyes softened, catching the faint glow of sunlight through the window, made my heart flutter.
“You know,” Jade began, her voice barely above a whisper, “I don’t think I’ve ever been this happy.”
I reached up, brushing a stray strand of hair from her face, letting my fingers linger against her temple.
“Me neither,” I said softly, my voice barely audible as I met her gaze. And it was true—every word. Nothing in my life had felt as vivid, as electric, as right as this.
For what felt like forever, we stayed that way. Neither of us moved, our bodies pressed close, our hearts beating in perfect sync. The world outside could have fallen apart, and I wouldn’t have noticed. It was just us—two souls wrapped in a cocoon of quiet intimacy, the kind that made time feel irrelevant. Her fingers brushed over my chest, tracing idle patterns, and I couldn’t help but close my eyes, enjoying the sensation of her touch. “Do you think it’ll always be like this?” she asked, her tone laced with a rare fragility that made me want to hold her even tighter.
“It can be,” I said, tilting my head to press a kiss to her forehead. “As long as we keep fighting for it.”
Her lips curved into a soft smile, “I’ll hold you to that.”
But the universe had other plans for us. Just as she settled back down, her body curling instinctively against mine, the sharp sound of a knock on the door shattered the stillness. We both froze, the spell broken in an instant.
“Seriously?” she groaned, burying her face in my chest like she could will the interruption away. “Can’t we just pretend we didn’t hear it?”
I chuckled, though I shared her frustration. “As tempting as that sounds, I don’t think they’re going to give up.”
With a sigh, I shifted out from under her, the loss of her warmth hitting me immediately. I sat on the edge of the bed, reaching for the clothes we’d discarded hours earlier. She propped herself up again, her expression a mix of reluctance and amusement as she watched me.
“We need to go,” I said, glancing over my shoulder at her. The expression she made could have stopped my heart if I let it.
“Do we have to?” she whined, dragging the blanket up to her chin like a stubborn child. Her silver eyes sparkled with defiance, though the corners of her lips twitched with a hint of a grin.
“Yes, we have to,” I said, tossing her a towel along with her clothes. “But you can pout all you want—it’s not going to change anything.”
She caught the towel, letting out a dramatic huff as she rolled off the bed. The blanket fell away as she stretched, her movements languid, deliberate, like she was trying to drag out every second of this. For a moment, I forgot to blink, staring at her. Her fingers trailed over my shoulder as she passed, breaking the spell. With a slight shake of my head, I grabbed my own clothes and headed downstairs, knowing I couldn’t afford to take my time. Sure enough, as I entered the kitchen, Leo was already there, leaning against the counter with his arms crossed. His expression was a mix of impatience, the kind only a bored teenager could manage.
“What took you so long,” he complained as I walked past him to the downstairs bathroom.
“You’re so annoying,” I shot back, closing the door behind me. "You could have come a little late."
----------------------------------------
About thirty minutes later, the three of us were strolling down the street, looking like we were out for a casual evening walk. The air was crisp, the sun beginning its descent.
I glanced at him out of the corner of my eye, half expecting him to burst into one of his usual rants about superheroes or villains, but instead, his gaze kept drifting toward Jade, who was now making her way down the stairs. Her damp hair was tied loosely over one shoulder, and the oversized hoodie she’d stolen from my closet hung off her frame in a way that was almost annoyingly attractive.
Leo, clearly trying and failing to be subtle, sidled up next to me. He tugged at my sleeve, leaning in close like he had some top-secret mission to discuss.
“She’s your girlfriend?” he whispered, his tone somewhere between awed and incredulous.
I couldn’t help the grin that spread across my face. A smug sense of pride crept into my chest, “What do you think?” I replied, letting my tone drip with arrogance.
Leo’s face lit up, his grin so wide it was almost cartoonish. He gave me an enthusiastic thumbs up like this was some kind of achievement unlocked. “Nice,” he said with exaggerated approval. Then, after a beat, he asked, “She also goes to Beyonder’s Academy?”
I nodded, keeping my answer short to see where this was going. Somehow, Leo’s grin managed to double in size. He turned to glance at Jade again, and I could see the gears turning in his head
“She’s… cool,” he said, his voice filled with genuine admiration. Then, after a pause, he added, “Cooler than you, for sure.”
“Wow,” I said, turning to give him a flat look. “Thanks for that boost of confidence.”
Leo waved me off like my feelings were irrelevant. His curiosity, as always, bulldozed past any semblance of tact. “How’d you even—like—get her to like you?”
I raised an eyebrow, pretending to look hurt. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
"I mean, she’s so… perfect,” he said, gesturing toward Jade. “And pretty,” he added, which explained everything. He had developed a crush on her, I realized.
“Wow, Leo,” I said, folding my arms. “You’re making it sound like I’m a charity case.”
He shrugged unapologetically. “You said it, not me.”
Before I could come up with a scathing reply, Jade looked back, her eyes flicking between us. “What are you two whispering about?”
“Nothing!” Leo said quickly, his voice shooting up an octave. Then, clearly unable to help himself, he turned to her with the enthusiasm of a puppy. “You’re really cool. Like, really cool. Cooler than him, for sure.”
Jade raised an eyebrow, her lips curving into an amused smile as she looked at me. “Is that so?”
“Apparently,” I said, throwing my hands up. “I don’t know why I keep this guy around.”
“Because I tell you the truth,” Leo quipped, grinning like he’d just delivered the punchline of a joke.
Jade laughed, her silver eyes sparkling, looking at me, “You're right. He’s annoying and not cool as me, still he’s not that bad.”
“See?” I said, turning back to Leo with a victorious smirk. “She likes me.”
Leo rolled his eyes, muttering, “Yeah, yeah. I still don’t get it, but good for you, man.”
Then, as if realizing he’d said too much, his face flushed slightly, and he mumbled something under his breath—too quiet for me to catch—before stepping back, putting a little space between himself and us. It was the classic move of a kid trying to play it cool while clearly being overwhelmed. To Leo, this must have felt like the ultimate dream come true—not just one, but two people from Beyonder’s Academy hanging out with him, walking by his side like it was no big deal. I could practically see the gears in his head spinning, his thoughts racing through all the possibilities.
As we continued down the street, a strange thought crossed my mind. Could Jade’s abilities extend to manipulating possibilities to such a degree that she could influence how another person’s meta nature would form? It was a fascinating, albeit slightly unsettling, concept. Experimenting with something like that would have been exhilarating, but of course, I wasn’t Jade, and her meta nature wasn’t mine to wield.
Still, I knew better than to voice such thoughts aloud. The idea alone could make me seem villainous—like someone willing to cross moral lines for curiosity’s sake.
The thought led me down a darker path, and I suddenly felt a strange pang of sympathy. Isn’t this what supervillains often did? Challenge the norms of their world, ask questions that society didn’t want to answer? And for that defiance, they were labeled as villains of humanity and relentlessly hunted. How pitiful. Of course, not all villains were guided by philosophical ideals or the need to challenge societal constructs. That was only a small percentage of them. Most villains, in my perspective, turned to crime out of fear, desperation, or pain. They did bad things because they were scared of losing something, lacked what they needed to survive, or had been hurt so deeply that they lashed out against the world.
The truly evil—the ones who committed crimes for the sake of chaos or to spread suffering—were rare. Their existence was more a reflection of the darkness humanity tried to suppress than a norm.
“Are there villains in this area?” Jade asked, her tone laced with curiosity and unmistakable excitement. “Are we going to hunt them?”
Of course, she’d phrase it like that—hunt, not catch or stop, but hunt, like villains were wild animals meant to be chased down for sport. Where is your humanity hiding, my precious Jade? I wondered silently, suppressing the urge to roll my eyes.
Outwardly, I kept my composure. “I thought we’d just go on a walk today, like other couples,” I said, glancing at her. “You don’t like it?” I wanted to see how she’d react.
Jade didn’t hesitate. She slipped her arm around mine, her sudden closeness making my heartbeat falter for a moment. “I like everything I do with you,” she said simply, her voice calm but unwavering.
My body stiffened as warmth crept into my face. From the corner of my eye, I noticed Leo biting his lip, trying—and failing—not to burst into laughter. I shot him a glare that clearly said, don’t even think about it, then turned back to Jade.
Silently, I begged her with my eyes not to say things like that in front of other people. She either didn’t notice or didn’t care.
I cleared my throat, desperately trying to regain some semblance of composure. “There is one person in the area,” I said, steering the conversation back to safer ground. “Hiding in the city tunnel. Leo’s seen him stealing a few times over the past couple of weeks.”
Jade’s eyes sharpened, her focus immediately narrowing. “Is he alone?”
“No,” I said, relieved to have redirected her attention. “It’s a gang. The Tunnel Underground gang. Most of their members have bug-related meta natures.”
“Bugs?” Jade’s nose scrunched slightly. “That’s… unsettling.”
Leo, who had been uncharacteristically quiet up until now, suddenly spoke up. “Why do people even join gangs when they could use their powers to earn money? It’s so odd.”
His question lingered in the air, and I glanced at him, considering my response. He wasn’t wrong—on the surface, it did seem strange. But life was rarely that simple. Leo’s reasoning was straightforward, the kind of perspective that comes from someone who hasn’t yet seen the broader complexities of the world.
I nodded thoughtfully, deciding to guide him toward a deeper understanding. “Money only matters to those who can’t live comfortably day to day,” I said, keeping my tone measured. “But once someone earns enough to live well, they start craving something else. They can’t just sit still, doing the same thing over and over for the rest of their lives.”
Leo furrowed his brow slightly, his young mind trying to grasp the concept.
“So, most people look for adventures,” I continued. “Something to break the monotony, to stimulate themselves, to escape the cycle. Sure, they could join a reading group or take up gardening—there are hundreds of normal activities for that. But let me ask you this: What would thrill you more—jumping from the sky or cycling?”
“Skydiving,” Leo answered immediately, his face lighting up.
“Exactly,” I said with a small smile. “That doesn’t mean people who enjoy cycling don’t get satisfaction from it. Everyone has their own preferences, their own purpose. But for some, the ordinary isn’t enough—they need something extraordinary. Now, let me ask you both: What could be more exciting than skydiving?”
“Going to the moon!” Leo exclaimed, his enthusiasm unshaken.
I chuckled, shaking my head before turning my gaze to Jade. “And you?”
“Robbing a bank,” she said without hesitation, her expression as serious as ever.
Leo burst out laughing, and I couldn’t help but smile as well. Leave it to Jade to cut straight to something outrageous. In a twisted way, she wasn’t wrong.
“Exactly,” I said, catching their attention again. “But most people don’t want to associate themselves with villains or criminals. So instead, they create clubs and social circles with niche habits—safe outlets for their thrills.”
Leo’s laughter faded as he mulled over my words, the gears in his head clearly turning.
I paused, watching their reactions carefully. “Have either of you heard of the Spade Society?”
Jade shook her head dismissively, but Leo’s eyes lit up with recognition.
“I’ve heard of them,” he said eagerly, practically bouncing on his feet. “They hold cryptic contests for their members every month. The members have to find and solve clues in the real world to win prizes. I read about them on Hyperspace.”
I nodded, pleased by his awareness. “Exactly. The Spade Society is a perfect example of how people channel their desire for excitement without crossing certain lines. They seek thrills, but they do it in a way that keeps them just this side of the law—or at least, that’s what they’d like you to believe.”
Then I turned to Leo, a teasing smirk forming on my lips. “You wanted to join them, didn’t you?”
“What?” Leo shot back defensively, his voice a little too high-pitched. “They sound fun!”
Jade chuckled softly beside me, and I just shook my head, letting a small smile tug at my lips. “Exactly—they are fun. But now, think about people who aren’t like you. People who are depressed, hurt, or feel completely lost. How would they find their purpose?”
Leo’s expression shifted, his curiosity still there but now tinged with thoughtfulness.
“For those people,” I continued, my tone more serious now, “a gang isn’t just about committing crimes. Most of the time, they don’t have anyone to support them, no one to guide them toward the light. Villains and gangs scout them out, offer them a sense of belonging. A way to feel seen. Sometimes, that’s all it takes for someone to fall into the wrong crowd.”
Leo looked down at the ground as he walked, clearly mulling over my words. “So… they don’t join because they’re bad people?”
“Not always,” I said gently. “Some are, sure. But for others, it’s about survival. Or feeling like they matter, like they have a purpose—even if that purpose is destructive.”
Jade chimed in, her voice quieter than usual. “It’s easy to judge people when you’re on the outside looking in. But when you’re the one struggling, it’s a lot harder to see a way out.”
I was slightly surprised when Jade said that, once again making me wonder about her story.
Leo frowned, his brow furrowed as he tried to piece it all together.
The wheels in his head were clearly turning, and I gave him a moment to process before adding, “And the crimes they commit? They give those people an outlet—a way to release their anger, their pain. For some, it’s a temporary detour, and they eventually realize they’re on the wrong path. They try to change.”
I paused, letting the weight of the words sink in before continuing. “But for others? They get stuck. Deeper and deeper into the cycle, unable to break free.”
Leo nodded slowly, the frown on his face deepening. He didn’t say anything, and I didn’t push. Sometimes silence was the best way for someone to really absorb an idea.
I glanced over at Jade, who had been quiet during this part of the conversation. Her silver eyes were unreadable, but I hoped she was taking it in too. Maybe she’d reflect on it later, start seeing things from a broader perspective. Jade had a sharp mind and a strong heart, but sometimes she could be quick to judge. This wasn’t just for her own good—it was for the people she might encounter along the way, the ones who needed understanding and empathy, not just her fiery determination.
Life wasn’t black and white. It was messy, complicated, and filled with shades of gray. My understanding might not have been perfect—there were probably nuances and experiences I hadn’t considered—but it wasn’t about being right.
This was about planting seeds. Seeds that might help them see the world a little differently when the time came. The rest? That would be up to them.
I let the quiet linger for a few more seconds before clapping my hands together, breaking the tension. “So,” I said, my voice light but with just enough edge to snap them out of their thoughts, “who wants to enter the sewers first?”
Jade raised an eyebrow at me, her lips twitching into a faint smirk. “You’re volunteering, aren’t you?”
“Absolutely not!”