Chapter 11: Ryan's Descent
The air in Shigatsu felt colder to Ryan lately, though he knew it wasn't the weather. It was the absence—the growing distance between him and Pod—that gnawed at him. Every day at school, Pod's desk sat empty, while rumors flew among their classmates about why Pod had started skipping.
Ryan knew the truth, or at least part of it. After everything that had happened with Morgan and Lira, Pod had changed. He was distant now, caught up in something bigger, something dangerous, leaving Ryan to drift in his own shadow.
Sitting alone in the classroom, Ryan drummed his fingers on his desk, his eyes narrowing. He's becoming one of them, Ryan thought bitterly. He had seen the changes in Pod firsthand, the way his senses had sharpened, how he could hear and see things others couldn't. He wasn't the same quiet kid anymore.
At first, Ryan had tried to understand. He had been there when Pod needed help, when the chaos in Shigatsu was overwhelming. But now, it was as if Pod didn't need him anymore. Every day, Pod was off with Morgan or doing God knows what, while Ryan was left to fade into the background.
As the bell rang and the teacher started the lesson, Ryan barely paid attention. His mind was elsewhere, fixated on one thing: power. If Pod could change, then why couldn't I? The thought had crept into his mind a while ago, and lately, it had taken root, growing into a deep sense of resentment.
Ryan knew the stories about Choujin, about the injections that could unlock powers. People in Shigatsu whispered about it in dark corners, telling tales of those who gained abilities beyond comprehension. But those powers came at a price—one that Ryan wasn't sure he was ready to pay.
But Pod did it, he thought, the bitterness in his chest twisting. He made a choice and look at him now. He's stronger, more confident, more powerful.
After school, Ryan found himself wandering the streets aimlessly, his thoughts a swirling mess of envy and anger. The more he thought about it, the more his desire for power grew. He hated feeling helpless, hated watching from the sidelines while Pod went off to fight battles Ryan couldn't even comprehend. He wanted to be more than just the friend left behind.
As he passed through the narrow alleys of Shigatsu, Ryan's eyes fell on a familiar figure standing near a graffiti-covered wall. It was Eli, a guy from their school known for getting into trouble. Ryan had always avoided him, but today something felt different. Eli had connections, and if there was anyone who knew how to get Choujin powers, it was him.
Swallowing his nerves, Ryan approached Eli, who looked up from his cigarette with a raised eyebrow.
"Well, well, if it isn't Ryan," Eli said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "What brings you to this side of town?"
Ryan stuffed his hands in his pockets, trying to hide his uncertainty. "I need something. Information."
Eli chuckled, blowing a cloud of smoke into the air. "Information, huh? And what kind of information does a guy like you want?"
Ryan hesitated for a moment, then steeled himself. "I want to know how to get Choujin powers."
Eli's expression shifted from amusement to surprise, then to something darker. He glanced around, making sure no one was listening, before stepping closer to Ryan.
"You serious?" Eli asked, his voice low. "You don't just 'get' Choujin powers, man. It's not like signing up for a gym membership."
"I know it's dangerous," Ryan said, his voice firm. "But I'm not backing down. I want to know how to do it."
Eli eyed him for a long moment, as if weighing whether or not to take him seriously. Then he shrugged, tossing his cigarette to the ground and crushing it under his shoe.
"Alright," Eli said, leaning in conspiratorially. "There's a guy. They call him The Broker. He deals in the stuff you're looking for—Choujin injections. But it's not cheap, and it's not safe. People die from this kind of thing. You sure you want in?"
Ryan nodded without hesitation. "I'm sure."
Eli smirked. "You've got guts, I'll give you that. The Broker hangs around the east side, near the old warehouses. If you really want to find him, that's where you start."
Ryan felt a strange mix of excitement and dread swirl in his stomach. He was finally taking action, doing something to change his situation. But the reality of what he was about to do weighed heavily on him.
As he turned to leave, Eli called after him. "Hey, Ryan."
Ryan stopped and looked back.
"Be careful," Eli said, his smirk gone, replaced by a rare seriousness. "Once you go down this road, there's no turning back."
Ryan didn't respond. He didn't need to. He had already made his choice.
---
That night, Ryan lay awake in bed, staring at the ceiling, his mind racing. He replayed his conversation with Eli over and over, wondering what tomorrow would bring. He couldn't help but think about Pod—about how different things had become between them.
Pod had left him behind, whether intentionally or not. But Ryan was done waiting in the shadows. He was done being ordinary. He was going to find The Broker. He was going to get the power he deserved.
And maybe, just maybe, when it was all said and done, he'd finally understand what Pod had been going through all this time.
But deep down, in the quiet corners of his mind, Ryan couldn't shake the fear. The fear that gaining power would come with a cost—a cost he wasn't fully prepared to pay.
As the first light of dawn crept into his room, Ryan made his decision. He was going to the east side. He was going to find The Broker.
And he wasn't coming back until he had what he wanted.