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ᴇᴄʜᴏ ᴏꜰ ᴍʏ ᴅʀᴇᴀᴍꜱ — ꜱʏʟᴜꜱ x ꜰ!ᴍᴄ/ʀᴇᴀᴅᴇʀ

Chapter 1 — I Wanna Grow The Apple

In the ever-evolving city of Linkon, Y/N returns home, seeking warmth in familiar faces and memories. But as the past and present blur, unspoken worries linger, and a fleeting encounter hints at something more. Just when she thinks she can finally breathe, a single moment changes everything.

Tags/Warnings : Violence, Injury, Implied Trauma, Mild Language, Themes of Loss, Explosions/Destruction, Emotional Themes, Found Family

Author's Note : This is probably a filler as like I said in Prologue's Author Note, Mr. Fancy won't be grace us with his presence in this chapter but still hope everyone enjoys. Also currently doing a poll for post schedule on my twitter @/bratcrow. Happy Reading!!!

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Linkon City wasn't this prosperous and beautiful as it is today. Linkon is a city that perfectly balances the cutting-edge advancements of technology with the warmth of tradition, making everyday life both convenient and comforting. Its streets hum with the rhythm of progress, thanks to the innovations in energy production and the groundbreaking technology that powers the city’s infrastructure.

Here in Linkon, its citizens can step off the fast track of digital entertainment and immerse themselves in a slower pace, relishing the city’s beauty from a more nostalgic perspective. This blending of the old and new makes Linkon a unique place to live, offering something for everyone. Yet, beneath the surface of its modern-day conveniences lies a city with a history marked by resilience.

Yet, even with all these advancements, the heart of Linkon still beats with the familiar, creating a sense of continuity and comfort for its residents. The sleek, futuristic zero-gravity trains whiz through the air, making commuting a breeze, but Linkon doesn’t forget its past. The city has preserved some of its old-school charm, offering leisurely sightseeing bus routes that wind through picturesque neighborhoods.

Y/N doesn’t remember much of what Linkon was fourteen years ago, or if Linkon City has always been called Linkon City before the rift. Fourteen years ago, during the Chronorift Catastrophe, Linkon was among the first to suffer the devastating Wanderer attacks. It became the frontline in the battle to protect humanity. With the help of Protocore Energy, the city has since been rebuilt, now flourishing as a bustling metropolis of innovation and technology.

But even as it continues to grow, there are still areas where traditional ways of life persist, reminding everyone of Linkon’s rich history and the sacrifices made to secure its future. It is a city where the spirit of heroism lives on, and where the energy of daily life, fueled by both old and new influences, creates a vibrant, living testament to the past, present, and future.

One would remember Lumiere, the first person that was able to kill a wanderer, saving many lives during the Chronorift Catastrophe. However, Lumiere would show himself one day and vanish on the next. No one knew what his aims were.

Honestly, that’s least of her concern.

Y/N never remembered the first few years of her childhood. The early memories were a blur, lost to time and trauma. What she did remember, though, was the feeling of constant struggle—the struggle to survive during the Chronorift Catastrophe. It was a nightmare that no one could have prepared for. The world around her was chaos, everything crumbling as the rifts tore through reality. She had crawled for safety, the ground shaking beneath her small hands, her heart pounding with a primal fear. Her head buzzed, the sound like a thousand voices whispering, but she couldn’t focus on them. She couldn’t focus on anything but surviving. Shadows flickered in and out of her vision, like distorted fragments of her broken world.

Then, a red glow. The unmistakable glow of a glowing eye. She tried to pull herself together, to focus, but it was as though the world itself was twisting, bending in ways she couldn’t understand. When she snapped back to reality, she saw it— A massive Wanderer, towering over her like a nightmare given form. Its jagged, shifting body seemed to ripple with menace, and the air felt thick with danger.

But then, in the midst of all that darkness and chaos, there was a light. A shimmer, like a beacon in the storm. That’s when she saw Lumière for the first time. The figure that stood between her and the dark creature, glowing with a brilliance that seemed to push back against the shadows. Lumière’s presence felt like a lifeline, like something pure and unshakable amidst the horrors of the rift. Y/N didn't understand it then, but she knew one thing for sure: in that moment, Lumière was the reason she was still alive.

The next thing Y/N remembered was waking up under the care of Josephine. She had taken her in, along with Caleb, who had already been looked after. It was strange, unfamiliar—a warmth she hadn’t known for so long. She recalled their first handshake, the way Josephine's hand felt steady, offering a sense of security she hadn't realized she'd needed. Y/N was nervous, unsure how to navigate this new life, this home she never thought she’d have. The weight of the unknown pressed on her, but something in the quiet comfort of Josephine’s care made her realize, for the first time in a long while, that maybe she didn’t have to survive alone anymore.

As time passed, Y/N warmed up to Josephine, who became more than just a caretaker—she became a source of comfort and stability. And Caleb, always there, always by her side, became inseparable from her. They were a pair, navigating this strange, new life together, finding solace in each other’s presence.

Then, one day, she met Zayne. He was quiet, reserved, the kind of kid who didn’t speak much but always seemed to be observing everything around him. He was different from Caleb, less energetic, more focused. It wasn’t until later that she learned the truth—Zayne was the same person who would one day become Akso’s renowned cardiologist, Dr. Zayne. But at that moment, he was just another person in their small world, the quiet kid who somehow fit right in.

Y/N never knew if her parents were still alive somewhere, or if she had parents in the first place. She often wondered if they had ever searched for her, but as time passed, the thought faded. She decided not to care anymore. She had everything she needed now—Grandma Josephine and Caleb. They were her family, the ones who filled the space in her heart that had once longed for something she couldn’t even remember.

The phrase ‘the apple doesn't fall far from the tree’ came to her when she was in 6th grade. At first, it didn’t make much sense, but as she thought more about it, it clicked. Children often resembled their parents in some way—behavior, personality, abilities—whether for better or worse. But Y/N had never had a parent for long, and that was okay. She had come to accept it.

Her apple, she realized, must have rolled far from its tree—far down to Josephine's, where she truly belonged now. Her apple, and Caleb’s, both under Josephine’s tree. One day, though, she thought, she would grow her own tree. A new family, her own, where she could plant roots and build something that was truly hers.

She is still on the bus that’ll stop at the Bloomshore District Bus Stop. As she rode down the familiar road back to her childhood home, everything seemed unchanged. The same winding path stretched before her, lined with the same tall trees that shaded the way, their branches swaying gently in the breeze. The houses, with their chipped paint and overgrown gardens, looked just as they did when she was young, as if time had not touched them at all. The soft hum of the vehicle beneath her was the same comforting sound she remembered from her days as a child, and the scent of the earth and old asphalt was as nostalgic as ever.

Yet, as much as everything seemed the same, she felt different. The excitement and innocence she once felt on this very road had faded, replaced by the weight of years, of experiences that had changed her. The world she once saw through the wide-eyed wonder of youth was now viewed with a quiet awareness that came with age.

She wasn’t the girl who had run along this road barefoot anymore or cries to Caleb whenever she got teased by the bullies or sneakily eat candy with Zayne (she blames herself for turning the great cardiologists into a sweet tooth). She had grown, learned, and become someone else, though the road still held the same rhythm, the same pull, as it always had. The difference was subtle, almost imperceptible, but it was there—she had crossed into adulthood, and it felt like the first time she fully understood that the only thing that truly changes over time is the person who travels it.

502 Sunset Street, Bloomshore District. It's where she, Caleb and Grandma lived all their life. As she stepped closer, Y/N could feel a warm fuzzy feeling inside her boiling up. She has missed this. She missed the warmth of home. She missed finding Grandma sitting in her chair while listening to the tv and reading her newspaper after she ran down the stairs to leave the house for a quick run to the store. She missed seeing Caleb in the kitchen, wiping creams on her cheeks and laughing about it. She misses being at home.

But home is not in the form of a house. Home is not just a place, it’s a feeling, a sense of belonging that can be found in the most unexpected of places. It’s the warmth of a familiar face, the comfort in shared laughter, and the peace that comes when you're truly understood. Home can be a room full of memories or a quiet corner of a bustling city. It can be the soft embrace of someone you love, or even the solitude of a moment to yourself. Home isn’t defined by walls or roofs, but by connection. It’s wherever you feel safe enough to take off your armor, to rest, and to be your true self. Whether it’s the place you grew up or a new chapter you’ve yet to write, home can be anywhere, with anyone, as long as it’s where you find your heart. And this– this is her home.

She took a deep breath before opening the door. The first thing she sees is Grandma Josephine, in her usual soft chair, reading her newspaper with her reading glasses. Ages have come to her. Josephine used to read without hesitation, her eyes sharp and steady, but now, more often than not, she reaches for her reading glasses, squinting at the pages with a quiet frustration. It’s a small thing, but it feels so significant—another subtle sign that time is moving faster than I'd like to admit. Watching her, I can see the years etched into her face, the silver streaking through her hair, and the way she sometimes pauses, as if lost in a thought that she’s struggling to reach.

Time, once something they both– No Y/N took for granted, has become this constant reminder of all that’s passed. It’s both cruel and kind—cruel in how it steals the things once had, like the ease of seeing clearly, but kind in the way it gives her the moments to reflect, to treasure what’s still here, and to savor the time we have left. It’s in these little shifts, like the need for reading glasses, that she realize how much they’ve changed, and how much has been lost and gained along the way. Time isn’t always gentle, but it carries forward, whether they’re ready or not.

“Grandma, I’m home” She cheerfully greeted Josephine, and closed the door behind her.

Josephine took off her glasses and her face lit up when she sees her beloved Y/N, “Sweetie, you haven’t visited often since you became a hunter. Did you missed me?”

What kind of questions is that? Of course I miss you, Grandma. “Of Course— Something smells good. Is it roast pork?” Y/N asked before getting a reply from Grandma, she continued, “I’ve learned how to cook a new dish. Would you like to try it?”

Josephine looked delightful knowing the girl she looked after is finally able to take care of herself, she didn’t managed to get her word out as Caleb walked out from kitchen, with roast pork and a bowl of rice in his hold. “What happened to the pipsqueak who wouldn’t even pour me a glass of water? What has changed you? I should’ve talked you to become a hunter sooner”

Caleb, her childhood friend asides Zayne. He joined Aerospace Academy few years before Y/N enrolled to Hunter Academy while Zayne’s already in Residency (He’s a bright medical student after all). While Zayne is a childhood friend in Y/N’s life, Caleb is complicated. Both were looked after by Josephine in same house. They’re not siblings by blood despite being raised by same foster parent figure which is Josephine, Y/N always looked at Caleb as both childhood friend and a brother she never have.

Caleb is a teaser and a rent-free bully for Y/N but he is also very protective of her. He tried to persuade Zayne in joining him to convince the girl not to enroll the hunter academy but alas the girl got accepted. Y/N doesn’t like how Caleb pamper her like a kid that she was, however she tolerates it again and again, only if he continues to cook for her.

She walked close to him as he sets the table, “Caleb?! I thought I wouldn’t see you until tomorrow at least”

Y/N glances up and down to see how he looked. He looks healthy and strong, as what she remembered last time she saw him before he left to Skyhaven. She smiles a little, Caleb still wear the necklace that she gave him— No Caleb was being sneaky that time (yes she still petty about it). He wear his DAA’s jacket, as expected to their star fighter pilot.

“What’s wrong with coming home early to spend some time with you and Gran?” He asked as he patted Y/N’s head with a gentle smile. “Wash your hand, let’s eat”

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TV screen plays at the background, news regarding explosions around the cities, hunter associations said that its due to Wanderer. Y/N knows this well, Jenna and the team (including Y/N herself) has been working restlessly for this. Y/N looked down, wished when she turned the tv, the news doesn’t discuss about this as it is…truly a bad timing. She can tell Caleb and Grandma would ask about it.

Looking at Grandma Josephine, she looked well, well in Y/N’s eyes. Her health has not been well lately, going back and forth to Akso, and did got hospitalized. While Y/N and Caleb is busy and couldn’t visit Josephine in the hospital, Zayne was the one who makes sure her needs are meet.

“How’s your health, Grandma? Still getting headaches?” Y/N asked, still holding her chopsticks. Josephine only smiled and answered, “Oh it’s normal for people at my age to get them. Im already used to it. I’ll be fine as long as I take my medications” She looked like she already had accepted that this is what she’s going through.

“But didn’t the doctor say you should be hospitalized for observation? Are you sure the meds will be enough?” Y/N asked, very worried for Josephine.

Josephine hasn’t ate the food on her bowl, still pushing the food around with her spoon, looked at the girl and answered, “Oh, I just got out of the hospital. It’s too crowded and noisy. And that won’t help with my migraines” Josephine then slowly ate the food after a spoonful, while Y/N looked down, tapping the plate with chopsticks.

Y/N’s eyes fixed on the untouched food in front of her. The dishes were warm, the familiar aroma of home-cooked meals filling the air, Caleb’s cooking is always the greatest but her stomach felt tight. Her fingers lightly tapped the chopsticks against the plate, an absent-minded rhythm that betrayed her unease. Her grandmother had always been the heart of their home—the one who taught her how to hold chopsticks properly, how to stir the soup just right, how to find comfort in a meal shared with loved ones. But now, with her health deteriorating, everything felt different. The house was quieter, the air heavier.

Each passing day, the signs became clearer—tired eyes, a weaker voice, the occasional struggle to move. She wanted to be strong, to act as if dinner was just another ordinary meal, but the worry gnawed at her. What if things never went back to the way they were? What if this was the beginning of a slow, inevitable goodbye? She forced a deep breath, gripping the chopsticks a little tighter. For now, all she could do was eat, keep her grandmother company, and hope—hope that tomorrow would bring better news.

“Already a worrywart? You can rely on me to handle the family stuff?” Caleb said and he put glass of ice tea (Y/N’s habit to drink ice tea when she eats greasy food) that he made from the kitchen and sat down. He was just sat for couple of seconds and said to Grandma, “I already submitted an application form for a long-term care ward. It’s safe, quiet. Everything’s been taken care of” Caleb explained as he looked at Y/N

Wait when did was ever discuss between the two of us?

“Wait, when did this happen? And why didn’t you tell me?” Y/N asked, confusion can be seen in her face and the guy just chuckled.

“Oh, Caleb. A decisive man as always. I didn’t know about this, either” Josephine didn’t know about this either. Since when Caleb ever decide things on his own? this is a little unlike of him. Josephine continued as she looked at Y/N, “If I need to stay in a hospital, you should visit me, alright? You can talk with Zayne… have lunch with him too, perhaps”

Zayne huh? Well that could work but….”Well he’s really busy. So…” Caleb then cut her off as he put a piece of steamed dumpling in her place, “Even the world’s busiest guy has to eat. I haven’t seen him in a long time. We should invite him over for dinner. Right?”

That’s true though, Caleb hasn’t see Zayne quite a while. Life had swept them in opposite directions, leaving her with only memories of their tight-knit bond during their childhood. Zayne, with his steady hands and calm demeanor, had become a renowned cardiologist, always buried in his patients and the demands of his career. Then there was Caleb, the daring DAA fighter pilot, whose jet-setting lifestyle kept him constantly on the move, always too far away to make time for old friends. She couldn't remember the last time they'd all sat down together, laughing about the good old days. It seemed like their paths had drifted so far apart, and despite how much she longed for that reunion, the years had made it harder to bridge the distance between them.

Y/N agreed to Caleb’s idea, “And we can kidnap if refuses!”. Caleb couldn’t help but chuckled at her words.

But all of their attention shifted to the breaking news on the tv. An explosion occurred in an abandoned based in the western Linkon, it is true that did happened. The whole association was busy trying to find the reason why of this explosion and they conclude that the incidents are connected to Wanderer. Personally, she visited the site for investigation and true there are remnant of wanderer can be found there. But to the the truth, she rather not talking about her work when she just want to wind down. Well, that wouldn’t be the case….

“Explosion, huh? Hey Pipsqueak, have there been a lot of active wanderer’s lately?” Caleb asked, as he shifted his attention from the tv to her. Oh dear…

She sighs as she put down the chopsticks gently, “Kind of” I can see where this is going. “But it’s fine. Linkon has us! The Deepspace Hunters of today know what they’re doing” She ended her sentences with a thumbs up, hoping he would believe her.

“Even so, you shouldn’t push yourself too hard, my dear. And be sure to be careful during your missions” Josephine said, her gaze still glued to the TV, her food are barely touched.

Y/N got used to being worried by everyone in her life, whether it’s her own grandma, Caleb and even Zayne. She just wished that they believed of her own capability. She pushed the cucumber egg stir-fry away from her, “I know, but I’ll be fine, Grandma. My Evol works well against Wanderer. Besides, missions are often done in pairs. If—“ Well to the truth, her partner Xavier is a shrouded of mystery. She hesitant to say this words and continued,”—If we get hurt. We have backup”

“Even if that’s true, your safety is always the number one priority in whatever mission you take” Caleb said, his tone was serious and stern. “Your Evol is great, I’m not arguing that. But who’s to sat it’ll protect you all this time?” Caleb didn’t let any arguments in his words and continued eating his meal, leaving her reflect on his words.

Sighs, well that went well.

Then her hunter watch beep and vibrates, meaning there’s wanderer nearby. There are Wanderer in the neighbourhoods? Weird. I need to check it out.

She got up from her chair hurriedly, “Grandma, Caleb, something’s going on outside. Im gonna take a look. Be back soon, promise”

Before she even could step outside the house, Caleb chased her, tagging along. “Hey, wait up. I’m coming with you”

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Y/N only planned for a quick monitor check around the neighbourhood, making sure it’s not Wanderer or something. But, with Caleb tagging along, it’s gonna be difficult for Y/N.

“Caleb, what kind of hunter lets their childhood friend tag along to work with them?”

“I’m not tagging along with you, Pipsqueak. Just heading to the store for some vinegar and whatnot” Caleb answered, Y/N can bet with the couple coins inside her pocket right now that Caleb just made that up on the spot considering how much an actual worrywart Caleb is when it comes to her wellbeing. I mean the path their taking is leading to the neighbourhood store that she and Caleb goes to for grocery run if Josephine asked them as favor.

Y/N decided to play along, as long as she can do her “out of nowhere mission” without third party interference, even if that third party is Caleb. “Alright the. Well, we’re just about to turn the corner. Go to the store and pick up your vinegar”. (They’re already in front of the store, actually)

Just as Caleb walks inside the store, Y/N told him that he better actually buying vinegar and not following her as her back is turned. Caleb shrugged, grinning with that familiar mischievous look and shoved his hands in his pockets. "Yeah, yeah. Secret mission, blah blah blah. Can’t let unauthorized personnel on the details."

Y/N shot him a quick glance, her patience wearing thin. "Hurry up and go already," she muttered, trying to sound nonchalant. Then, as a playful afterthought, she added, "Oh, and I want some snacks and fruits. Take all the time you need."

He scoffed, rolling his eyes at her teasing, and without another word, disappeared inside the store. Emily sighed, making sure to keep her cool, but the last thing she wanted was for him to make this any harder than it already was.

She looked around and also looked at the sensor in her watches, “I don’t sense any fluctuations.. I’ll just walk around for a bit”

Y/N continued her search along the block not far from the store where she left Caleb. In truth, her hunter’s watch doesn’t react to anything but she senses fluctuations in the air but its ambiguous like bouncing around. It’s like the source is moving around.

She focused on the fluctuating readings from her watch, narrowing her eyes as the source seemed to move around, constantly shifting. It didn’t make sense, but her instincts were sharp. Then, as she glanced up, she saw him—across the street, a man in a black cap, stepping out of an alley, his eyes scanning the area. He turned slightly, just enough for her to notice the hovering patron drone with compound eyes, and with a subtle gesture, he fiddled with his hat. Something about his actions sent a chill down her spine—he was hiding something.

The man must have felt her gaze, because he immediately went on high alert, shifting his posture. Her watch vibrated with a sudden spike of metaflux, confirming her suspicions. This was the source. She crossed the street cautiously, keeping her distance, but as soon as he noticed her following, his pace quickened.

I have to stop him.

Her thoughts raced. She was about to send coordinates to HQ through her Hunter Watch when a searing pain shot through her right arm, as if a blade had been driven straight into her. Her breath caught in her throat. What the hell? She glanced down, trying to focus, but the pain was unbearable. No, the man hadn’t brought a weapon—this was something else. It’s Evol.

The man’s voice cut through the tension. "I see that you're smart. Too bad I don’t have time to play around." His gaze was colder than anything she'd ever felt, and she realized—by the tone of his voice alone—he was older than he appeared. He was calculated, experienced, and it made her hesitate for just a second.

That split-second was all he needed. He turned and bolted, disappearing down the street before she could even react. Y/N snapped back into action, pushing through the pain, but when she reached the spot where he'd vanished—nothing. No sign of him. The fluctuations were gone too, leaving nothing but the sound of her own racing heartbeat.

Was he carrying a protocore... or could he have been the source himself?

Just as she stood there, still trying to process what had just happened, footsteps approached from behind. She turned, her mind still spinning, only to see Caleb, holding plastic filled with snacks she likes to eat and a bottle of vinegar in one hand.

"Why are you staring at the sky? Mission's over?" he asked, with a grin tugging at the corners of his mouth.

She blinked, still concerned about what happened earlier, she hesitant on whether he should tell Caleb or not..

No I should keep it a secret for now. Otherwise, Grandma and Caleb will worry…

She cleared her throat, let’s go back home and eat dinner first. Y/N made her choice but when their gaze met, her reluctance turns into guilt.

Caleb who could see right through her, decided to test the water, see if the girl would tell the truth or make excuses like usual. “Did you find any big, bad wanderer?”

As Caleb stepped closer, his eyes landed on her hand, which was subtly dripping with blood. She quickly tried to hide it, pulling her sleeve down, but he’d already noticed. She shrugged her shoulders, rolled up her sleeves to hide her injured right arm. “Uh…” Come on, make something up, something believable, “The fluctuations disappeared. Probably a false alarm”

She tugged her hand back instinctively, but Caleb wasn’t buying it. "Caleb, what are you—"

"If it’s really nothing," he interrupted, "then what's this?" He gestured to the blood now staining her sleeve.

Quickly, she scrambled for an excuse, not wanting him to worry. "Uh... I was petting a cat..."

He raised an eyebrow. "Got scratched by another stray cat, huh?" His voice took on a teasing tone, but there was something in his eyes that suggested he wasn’t fooled. "I think I should go find that cat so I could avenge you."

Without waiting for her response, he released his hold on her arm and walked off, leaving her standing there, momentarily speechless.

“Caleb, dont! Come on, Grandma’s waiting for us back home”

They’d been walking for a while, and Caleb hadn’t said a word. His silence only made her more anxious, and she caught up with him, her pace quickening to match his.

"Caleb, I was telling the truth," she said, catching her breath. "It was just an accident. You and Grandma have enough to deal with."

He didn’t slow down. "I understand you want to hide it from Gran. We've caused her enough trouble since she brought us up together. Now that she's older, it wouldn't be a good idea to make her anxious."

But then, Caleb stopped, turning to face her. Disappointment was written all over his face. "But why do you have to hide it from me? Can't you trust me now that we're all grown up?"

She felt a pang of guilt, the weight of her lie settling heavy in her chest. She really couldn’t fool Caleb. Not that she’d ever been able to, even when they were kids. She was a terrible liar.

"I... I don’t want you worrying about me," she muttered, her voice low. "It’s not often you get to come home these days, so ruining the mood is the last thing I want to do."

There was a pause, and she gathered her courage to continue. "Also, I’m a grown-up now. I need to be the one making sure I stay safe. You can’t protect me forever."

She couldn’t bring herself to look at him as she said that last part. Her gaze fell to the railing in front of her, her fingers gripping it tightly. She wasn’t brave enough to see the look on his face, to witness the disappointment she knew would be there.

Caleb didn’t say anything right away. Instead, he moved closer, though his hand didn’t quite touch hers. His words broke the silence, soft but insistent. "Why is that a problem? If not me, who could you possibly turn to for..." Caleb looked like he want to continue his words, but he didn't.

A car passed by, the noise briefly filling the gap in their conversation, leaving her searching for something—anything—to say in response. But she was at a loss.

The word time crossed her mind, and with it came a bitter truth. Time wasn’t just something that passed—it was something that could never be reclaimed. It slipped away so easily, and before she knew it, the people and the world around her had changed. She had seen it in the lines on Grandma’s face, in the way Caleb’s shoulders had broadened, in how Zayne’s once carefree laughter had become more reserved. But it wasn’t just about the people. It was the little moments that were lost, too.

She longed for things to stay just as they were, for the days when everything felt simpler. When she and Caleb would run around the neighborhood together, laughing for no reason at all, the wind rushing through their hair. She could still remember the feeling of sitting on the swing at the playground, Caleb pushing her higher and higher, and Zayne standing nearby, always making sure she wouldn’t fall. Those were the days when time didn’t feel like it was slipping away.

And there were the study sessions with Zayne—his serious, focused face as he explained things to her while Caleb slouched in the corner, drifting off to sleep just by listening to him. Or the memory of Zayne struggling to eat the carrot-laden soup Grandma had made for lunch, the way his face scrunched in determination as he tried to spoon it up without making a mess. The first time Caleb had cooked for her, fumbling in the kitchen but trying so hard to make it perfect. And the countless times Caleb had protected her from bullies, standing up for her without hesitation.

All those memories, so precious, so vivid—yet now, they were all just memories. She wished more than anything that she could turn back time, freeze those moments in place, but she knew that wasn’t possible. Time couldn’t be stopped or rewound. It was something that kept moving forward, no matter how much she wished it wouldn’t.

In the end, Caleb didn’t continue his words. His expression softened for a moment, hurt flickering in his eyes, but then he just chuckled and smiled—a smile that made Y/N’s confusion deepen.

“What’s wrong?” she asked, her brow furrowing.

He shook his head, a small laugh escaping his lips. "You wouldn't understand even if I told you, Pipsqueak. Forget it." He patted her head affectionately, a gesture that felt oddly bittersweet, before turning to walk ahead. "We've been outside for too long. Gran's going to be worried."

They walked in silence as she adjusted her hair, still feeling the weight of his unspoken words. As they approached the house, Y/N broke the silence. “You are doing it again. Go inside by yourself. I'm not your sidekick."

Without looking back, Caleb answered with a smirk in his voice, "Fine. But hide the blood on your sleeve before heading inside."

Y/N immediately checked her right arm, and sure enough, the blood had seeped through the fabric of her sleeve. Panic flickered in her chest, but she quickly regained her composure. Maybe she’d go upstairs to her room or wash her sleeve in the kitchen sink before Grandma saw.

Caleb opened the door, but before stepping inside, he turned to her one last time. "Since you're grown up now, I won't cover for you this time." Well, I don’t need to be told to be honest, she thought with a scoff.

She straightened herself, adjusting her appearance and making sure there were no signs of what happened—nothing that could worry Grandma or cause her any concern. As Caleb shut the door behind him, she took a deep breath, trying to steady her nerves.

Just as she thought she had it all under control, the ground beneath her seemed to tremble. She barely registered the sound—something sharp, a blast. Then everything went white.

The next thing Y/N knew, the house exploded.

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Side Note :

My girl barely ate any of Caleb’s food nooooo babes you should’ve got some bites before heading out

I think Y/N did made an excuse with stray cat thing that’s why Caleb was so fed up lololol

Sylus is still chillin’ on the Space Prison but that all will be change within hours

Author’s Note :

HI CHAPTER ONE

Can yall tell that this chapter title was that way cause of Caleb? Hehe

But I also was inspired due to during my brat summer ’24, I listened to Charli xcx - Apple on loop and just clicked lol #brat

I did in fact cried writing this while listened to Apple (the generational trauma is real)

I was listening party 4 u while edit this chapter

Also if there’s a typo or anything, im sorry, my hands are freezing and can’t type properly

ANYONE WANNA BE MY MUTUAL ON TUMBLR? IM SO LOENLYYY

See you on Chapter two, dont forget to bring ice cone and macaroons

tags : @aikonecrosis

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ALL RIGHTS RESERVES. please do not translate, copy or plagiarize any of my write work.

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