153. PINE STREET. 7:35 pm.
Stephen and Antonio cruised down the quiet street, the bass from the car's speakers pounding through the SUV. Antonio's hand gripped the steering wheel lightly as he drove at a slow, steady pace. The glow from the dashboard lit up his focused face. Stephen swayed slightly to the rhythm, with a bottle in his hand, taking a slow sip.
"You ever think about how different things could've been?", Stephen asked, breaking the comfortable silence.
Antonio glanced over, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.
"All the time. Especially how good it would be, to live with the ones that can't be with you.", Antonio responded, Stephen chuckled, raising his bottle.
"To whatever this is and whatever comes next.", Antonio nodded.
"Cheers!", he said, clinking his bottle lightly against Stephen's. Then Antonio's eyes shifted back to the road, his expression settling into something quieter. The night air mixed with reggae music as they headed toward Jack's Liquor, as the city lights blurred past. Antonio parked under the glow of Jack's bold sign: Cold Drinks. Warmer Regrets. Stephen turned the volume knob, letting the music fade as the weight of the moment settled in.
"Ranger check, 11 o'clock. That's the new club—been open for like a week.", Antonio said, eyes locked on the entrance.
"I haven't been around here in a while. Didn't even know they were working on a club.", Stephen said casually.
"Let's not waste any time— let's head inside Jack's.", Antonio said hastily.
Stephen and Antonio hopped out of the car and shut the doors behind them. Without hesitation, they made their way into Jack's Liquor.
The moment they stepped inside, the atmosphere shifted. It was loud and dimly lit, with neon lights glowing along the walls, setting a moody, almost hazy tone. The bartenders—mostly beautiful, slim women—moved quickly behind the counter, serving drinks to a crowd that clearly had stories.
TV monitors were mounted high on the walls, flashing sports highlights in between the chaos. The place was packed—mostly with middle-aged men, scattered groups of younger women here and there. Antonio and Stephen weaved through the crowd and made their way to the bar counter, sliding onto the stools in front of an empty space.
Behind the counter stood Amanda Jack—the half co-founder of Jack's Liquor. Short, older, and heavyset, her face was marked with deep wrinkles and layered with a black eyeliner. Her short curly hair framed her round face, and a faded butterfly tattoo stretched along the side of her neck like a warning or a story left untold.
"Heard a lot about you, Stephen. Can't say I'm impressed yet.", Amanda said coldly, her smirk unwavering.
"Heh… depends what you heard.", Stephen said with a raised brow, trying to keep it light.
"Word travels fast when your friend's got loose lips.", Amanda said, sipping from a glass as her gaze lingered on Antonio.
"I'm guessing my friend only had nice things to say, right?", Stephen said, chuckling softly.
"Amanda and I have been tight for years. Loyalty's everything between us.", Antonio said, eyes locked on hers.
"So, what are you two having? First round's on the house—if you behave.", Amanda said with a wink.
"I'm getting a Piña colada. Thought whiskey might suit you better, Stephen.", Antonio said, half-joking.
"Yeah, whatever. You're paying the bill on this slow-ass evening.", Stephen said without breaking his gaze from the horse race above.
"You're welcome in advance.", Amanda said dryly, already turning away to fix the drink at the counter stocked with liquor.
The noise from the packed bar pulsed through the room, sinking into their bones just as the low hum of blues music began to fade in from the speakers overhead.
"So, what's the big surprise? What did you want to talk about?", Stephen asked, curiosity edging his voice.
"Just wanted to hang out like we used to—back at boot camp.", Antonio said, his eyes distant but sharply aware of the moment.
"Yeah, I feel you. I've had moments I wanted to rewind it all… but it is what it is.", Stephen said, the weight in his voice unmistakable.
Then out of nowhere, Amanda slammed her hands on the bar counter. In perfect sync, her two bartenders followed suit—placing their drinks down with movements fluid as water.
"Bon appétit, gentlemen. Served with style.", Amanda said, raising a brow playfully.
"A little extra for a couple drinks, don't you think?", Stephen said with a cocky grin.
"Cute. Want that drink with a slice of pity on the rocks?", she fired back without missing a beat.
"Cut him some slack, Amanda—he hasn't been around in a minute.", Antonio said, sipping his drink.
"Anyway, I want y'all to meet my daughters—Kay and Nikki. They're a little shy… but don't let that fool you.", Amanda said, holding their shoulders proudly.
"Evening Ladies. You two doing okay with all this chaos?", Antonio said with a chuckle, glancing around the bar.
"We're Jacks. Chaos is basically the family business.", Kay said with a raised brow.
"[Chuckles] If chaos is on the menu, might as well savor it.", Stephen said with a raised glass and a glint in his eye.
"Alright, kiddos—tonight's menu is class, chaos, and no apologies.", Amanda smirked, dripping with flair.
352. Sinister Road. 7:57 pm.
Tokyo, Michael, and Marcel strolled toward Kyalami Theaters, their silhouettes cutting through the golden glow of street lamps that lined the sidewalk. Palm trees swayed gently beside them, their shadows cast long against the buildings—each one lit up like angelic veins pulsing with the energy of San El Zorro itself. The pavement pulsed with life, crowded with civilians weaving past one another like whispers in the wind. Tokyo lit the joint Cain had handed her earlier, took a slow pull, and then passed it to Michael without breaking stride. As the city's essence settled into her bones, she tossed her hair back into the breeze, surrendering to the sacred rhythm of the night.
"Life's got beauty.", Tokyo said, exhaling the smoke slow, "but it's always the misunderstood parts that hit the hardest.",
"Cain laced that with poetry or something? Cause now you're talking like Shakespeare.", Michael muttered, passing the joint back.
"Please. Shakespeare wishes he had my tongue.", Tokyo said, flicking ash like a period to the sentence.
"Talking like a queen, puffin' like a chimney. That joint got you on tour?", Marcel said jokingly.
"I'm going to pretend you don't exist.", Tokyo said confidently.
Michael burst out laughing, as if Marcel's secondhand embarrassment shot through him like static—cold, invisible, and all-consuming. Eventually, they arrived at the entrance of Kyalami Theaters. Tokyo stepped up to the ticket stand and bought three tickets for Beyond the Pacific.
They ventured deeper inside, where a string of glowing lights stretched down the corridor—leading to each theater room—casting a bright yet painfully nostalgic hue over the polished floors and faded posters.
On the way to their screening room, they passed a snack shack brimming with everything imaginable: buttery popcorn, fizzing sodas, oversized candy boxes, and the kind of neon-colored slushies that could stain your soul.
"You guys want any snacks?", Tokyo asked, rolling her eyes as she stood by the counter.
"Only if you're paying, queen.", Marcel shot back with a sly grin.
"Bro, I just want a slushie that won't stain my soul.", Michael said, shrugging casually.
Tokyo rolled her eyes and waved them toward the counter, already picking out the biggest tub of popcorn. Once they got their edibles, the trio marched toward the movie room. Outside the door, a massive poster stood tall—Beyond the Pacific in bold, cinematic font.
Tokyo didn't hesitate. She pushed through the doors, and instantly, the hot, buttery air hit her full in the face—the unmistakable scent of popcorn and late-night regrets.
The atmosphere shifted—dim yet flickering with light, shadows dancing across the room as the movie's opening bass roared through the speakers, vibrating the floor.
Michael and Marcel caught up, shoving each other like siblings, and the three of them made their way down the aisle, sliding into their seats as the screen exploded with color.
"Let's hope this movie was actually worth the trip, and Tokyo's attitude.", Marcel stated.
"Shh. It's starting.", Michael replied with a soft whisper.
With the first scenes unfolding, they eased back into their seats, the darkness wrapping around them like a gentle blanket. The hum of the film's soundtrack filled the air, and slowly, their bodies relaxed, drawn into the story.
Meanwhile, in Crystal Avenue…
Katherine stood at the kitchen counter, a glass of red wine in one hand and a box of tissues nearby. Crumpled tissues lay scattered across the counter—some had fallen to the floor, soaked in tears.
Bathed in the soft kitchen light, she stood motionless as silent tears traced the curves of her cheeks. The warm glow caught the strands of her long black hair and illuminated the delicate features of her face, drawing attention to her beautiful gray eyes—now glassy and full of sorrow.
With a trembling breath, she closed her eyes and took a slow sip of wine.
While she stood with her eyes closed, the intercom suddenly rang. Snapping her out of the moment, she quickly wiped away the tears streaking down her face, downed the rest of her wine in one swift gulp, and tossed the damp tissues into the bin. She hurried to the CCTV by the entrance door and froze. On the screen stood a tall, muscular man with short-cropped hair. The streetlight cast an eerie glow behind him, exaggerating the shadows on his face, making his presence feel even more menacing. He pressed the intercom again, his finger firm against the button.
"Who is it?", she asked, barely above a whisper, her chest tightening.
"Hey, is Stephen here?", the mysterious man asked, his tone calm but edged with something unreadable.
"No—", she said, stopping short, the weight of unspoken words hanging heavy.
"Oh. just let him know—I came by to check on my little brother.", the mysterious man said, his voice sincere.
"Little brother?", Katherine murmured to herself, her voice barely more than a whisper.
"Alright—I'm leaving now.", he said, giving the gate one last glance before turning around.
"Wait!", Katherine called out instinctively.
The man stopped mid-step, turning back toward the intercom. His shadow loomed larger under the streetlight as he stepped closer again.
"Your little brother?", Katherine repeated, softly but cautiously. "You mean Stephen?", She asked curiously.
"Yeah.", he said, a faint smile tugging at his lips, though his eyes betrayed something deeper.
"Funny. Stephen's never once said anything about an older brother.", Katherine said, eyeing the monitor cautiously.
"Yeah. I didn't really expect him to tell you. Me and him… we go way back. There's always been rivalry between us—that's about all we ever had.", the mysterious man said.
"Classic Stephen.", Katherine muttered, letting out a clipped, knowing laugh.
She didn't say a word—just stood there and studied him for a moment, as if time had paused just for her to notice.
"You didn't tell me your name.", Katherine pointed out, her voice calm but firm.
"The name's Jason.", he said smoothly.
"Well, Jason, if you don't mind, maybe you could come in for a quick chat?", she suggested politely.
"Yeah sure, why not.", Jason said.
Katherine unlocked the gate from inside the house, a soft click echoing through the quiet evening. Jason stepped onto the front yard, his footsteps deliberate as he made his way toward the entrance. She opened the door and waited, her eyes fixed on him as he approached slowly, his presence growing heavier with each step. They came face to face, the distance between them melting into charged stillness. Katherine glanced upward, the height difference impossible to ignore. Jason stared down with a cool, confident glare—calm, composed and quietly intimidating.
"I see the family resemblance… but you're the one who lifted the weights, huh?", Katherine quipped, folding her arms with a grin.
A slight chuckle uttered from his mouth, "Yeah, he's the little one—but that man's tougher than he looks.", Jason said with a nod.
"Standing out here won't tell me anything. Let's take this conversation inside.", she said with a knowing glance.
"Yeah sure.", Jason replied as he stepped inside, following Katherine through the doorway. He closed the door behind them with a quiet click, sealing them in together.