Episode 25: The Mind Games Begin
Jaden lay on his bed, staring at his phone. Abby's message was still there.
Abby: Call me?
He sighed, running a hand through his hair. After everything today—Ethan's threats, Ava's games—he needed to hear her voice.
He tapped the call button.
She picked up instantly. "Jaden."
Her voice was soft, warm—like home.
He exhaled. "Hey."
A pause. "You okay?"
Jaden swallowed. Was he?
This place was breaking people left and right. Blaine was still lurking. Ethan wanted revenge. Ava was getting under his skin.
But none of that mattered when Abby spoke.
"Yeah," he murmured. "Just tired."
She hummed softly. She didn't believe him.
Then—"I miss you."
Jaden closed his eyes. Fuck.
He rolled onto his side, gripping the phone tighter. "Yeah. Me too."
Another pause. Then, teasing—"You better not be letting other girls distract you."
Jaden chuckled. "You're the only one who could."
Abby laughed, but it was soft. Like she wanted to believe him.
Jaden didn't blame her. Iron Stride was a world full of temptation, and Abby wasn't here to keep him grounded.
But she didn't need to be.
Because Jaden already knew—he wasn't breaking. Not for anyone.
The Next Day – Ethan's First Strike
Jaden stepped onto the field for the morning drills. The air was tense.
Players were being cut faster now. One mistake could end your career.
And Ethan? He was watching Jaden like a predator stalking prey.
Leo jogged up beside him. "You know he's planning something, right?"
Jaden exhaled. "Yeah."
Leo smirked. "Good. Because I'd hate for you to get blindsided."
The whistle blew. Time to train.
Jaden went through the drills, focused, sharp. He wasn't going to let Ethan mess with his head.
Then—it happened.
A quick 3v3 scrimmage. High intensity. Jaden and Ethan on opposite teams.
The ball rolled into open space.
Jaden sprinted for it. So did Ethan.
Jaden got there first—but the second he planted his foot, Ethan clipped him from behind.
Not a clean tackle. Not an accident.
A deliberate, well-timed trip.
Jaden's ankle twisted awkwardly as he crashed to the ground.
Pain flared up his leg. Fuck.
The whistle didn't blow.
Because there were no fouls in Iron Stride.
Ethan smirked down at him. "Whoops."
Jaden clenched his jaw. He wanted to punch him.
But he didn't.
Because if Ethan wanted a war, Jaden wasn't going to fight it with fists.
He was going to win where it mattered—on the field.
Jaden pushed himself up, ignoring the pain. Fine. If Ethan wanted to play dirty? Jaden would play smarter.
This wasn't over.
The Watchful Eyes
Later that evening, Jaden was in the locker room, icing his ankle.
Then—Ava's voice.
"You let him do that to you?"
Jaden sighed, not looking up. "I'm not playing that game."
Ava chuckled. "Oh, Carter. You're already playing. You just don't realize it."
Jaden finally looked at her. "You enjoy this, don't you?"
Ava leaned against the locker. "I enjoy seeing who survives."
Jaden smirked. "And you think I won't?"
She studied him for a long moment. Then—"I think you'll be different by the time you do."
Jaden didn't answer.
Because deep down? He knew she might be right.
Iron Stride was changing him.
And it was only getting started.