Hidden Secrets: The Way Home

I was sprawled out on my bed, staring at the ceiling fan spinning lazily above me. It felt like the blades were mocking me, moving without a care while I was stuck here, bored out of my mind. I grabbed my phone and scrolled through my contacts until I found Ajax. My thumb hovered over the call button for a second before I pressed it.

"Yeah?" Ajax answered, his voice sounding as uninterested as I felt.

"Wanna hit up the skatepark? Bring CJ, too," I said, already sitting up. I knew if I stayed home any longer, I'd start climbing the walls.

There was a pause. "Give me twenty minutes," Ajax said before hanging up. That was just like him—no goodbyes, no nonsense, just action.

By the time we got to the skatepark, the familiar sound of wheels on concrete filled the air. The place was buzzing, but it didn't take long to spot Zion and Ghost leaning against the chain-link fence near the ramps. They always stood out, not just because of their reputations but because of the way they carried themselves—Zion with his quiet intensity, and Ghost with that sly smirk that made you wonder what he was thinking. 

I started toward them, but Ajax grabbed my arm. "What are you doing?" he asked, his tone sharp. CJ stood a few steps behind him, looking uneasy.

"What does it look like? I'm saying hi," I said, tugging my arm free.

"Daggs, you know what people say about them." Ajax's voice dropped, like he didn't want anyone else to hear. "You shouldn't be hanging around those two."

I rolled my eyes. "Ajax, they saved my life. You think I care about some stupid rumors?"

He didn't answer right away, and for a moment, I thought he might actually stop me. But then he sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Fine. Just... don't let them drag you into anything."

"I'll be fine," I said, already walking away.

Zion spotted me first, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "Daggs," he said, pushing off the fence as I approached. His voice was calm, measured, like it always was, but there was something in his eyes that hinted at trouble brewing under the surface.

Ghost, lounging on the chain-link fence, flashed his signature smirk. "Didn't expect to see you here, Daggs. I figured you'd still be cooped up at home."

"I got bored," I said with a shrug. "Dragged Ajax and CJ out here for the fresh air. What about you two? What brings you back?"

Zion tilted his head, his expression thoughtful. "Passing through on my way home. It's a long trip from here to Skallheimen." Even as he said it, there was an edge to his voice, like the thought of returning wasn't one he welcomed.

Ghost, meanwhile, stretched his arms behind his head, looking as nonchalant as ever. "Me? I go where the wind takes me, you know that." His grin widened. "Today, it happened to blow me here."

I smiled at their banter, even though the reality of it sometimes stung. They were my best friends, but the distance between us was a constant reminder that we lived in different worlds. Zion's life in the Skallheimen was marked by its brutal reputation, and Ghost's tendency to appear and disappear on a whim made him feel like a fleeting shadow.

Ghost tilted his head at Zion, an amused glint in his eyes. "Back to Skallheimen, huh? Must be nice to have a home base, even if it's in the middle of nowhere."

Zion crossed his arms, his jaw tightening. "It's not about the place. It's about who's there."

"Ah, your brother," Ghost said, his smirk fading slightly. "Always watching, always controlling." He shook his head. "You know, you could leave anytime you wanted."

Zion didn't answer, but his silence said more than words ever could. I knew better than to push him on the subject. Zion's brother was a topic we only touched on in passing—it was like trying to handle a live wire. 

I shifted on my feet, feeling the tension settle between the three of us like a heavy fog. "Alright, let's not start another debate about freedom versus family," I said, trying to lighten the mood. "We all know Ghost is going to do what he wants, and Zion's... well, Zion."

Ghost's grin returned, but there was an edge to it now. "I'm just saying, Daggs—you've got options. You don't have to stay stuck in that house with... her."

I felt my stomach twist at the mention of Nyx, even though he didn't say her name outright. He didn't have to. They both knew what she was like, though I'd never gone into full detail. Some things were just easier to keep buried.

Zion gave me a pointed look, his voice low. "You've thought about it, haven't you?"

I hesitated. Of course I'd thought about it. Who wouldn't? But thinking about leaving and actually doing it were two very different things. "It's complicated," I muttered, looking down at the ground.

Ghost stepped closer, his tone unusually soft. "It's not as complicated as you think. You know I'd take you with me in a heartbeat."

I laughed, though it sounded hollow even to my ears. "Yeah, and Ajax would let that happen. Sure."

Ghost's expression shifted, something darker flickering in his eyes. "Who said anything about needing Ajax's permission?"

I felt the air around us change, like the world had paused just for a moment. Even Zion looked taken aback, his eyes narrowing slightly as he studied Ghost. 

"You're not serious," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.

Ghost's smirk returned, but this time it didn't reach his eyes. "I'm always serious."

Ghost didn't waste any time. As soon as he decided to take up the challenge, he sauntered across the skatepark toward Ajax and CJ, his hands tucked casually into his jacket pockets. There was an air about him—calm, confident, and just dangerous enough to make people hesitate. I stayed behind with Zion, watching from a distance. If I was being honest, I didn't expect this to end well. Ajax wasn't exactly known for being flexible, and Ghost... Well, Ghost wasn't the type to back down.

From where I stood, I couldn't hear everything they were saying, but I caught bits and pieces—the sharp edge in Ajax's voice, Ghost's smooth, almost playful tone. CJ stayed quiet, shifting nervously from one foot to the other like he wanted to be anywhere else.

"Ghost doesn't stand a chance," Zion muttered, crossing his arms as he leaned against the fence.

I glanced at him. "You really think so?"

"Your brother's stubborn," Zion said, not unkindly. "And he doesn't trust Ghost."

He wasn't wrong. Ajax had made his opinion about my friends pretty clear. But as I watched Ghost, I couldn't help but wonder if this time might be different. He didn't just talk—he had a way of getting under people's skin, of making them question themselves without even realizing it. It was part of what made him so... Ghost.

Whatever he said, it must've hit a nerve, because Ajax suddenly raised his voice. "The answer is no," he said, his tone final. Even from a distance, I could see the tension in his shoulders, the way his jaw clenched. 

Ghost didn't flinch. If anything, his smirk widened, like he'd just heard exactly what he wanted. He took a small step closer, lowering his voice so only Ajax could hear. CJ's eyes darted between the two of them, his unease practically radiating from across the park.

A moment later, Ghost straightened and took a step back, his hands still casually tucked away. "Suit yourself," he said, his voice carrying just enough for me to hear. He turned and started walking back toward us, his expression unreadable.

When he reached me and Zion, he let out a low sigh, shaking his head. "Your brother's a tough one, I'll give him that."

"What'd he say?" I asked, even though I already knew.

"No, obviously," Ghost said with a shrug. "But you know me, Daggs. The offer's always open."

I wasn't sure how to respond. There was something about the way Ghost looked at me in that moment—calm and steady, like he wasn't just saying it to say it. Like he meant every word.

Ghost leaned back against the fence, arms crossed, his eyes sharp as they flicked to Zion. "What about you?" he said, his tone casual but probing. "You ever think about packing up and leaving the Skallheimen?"

Zion let out a dry laugh, shaking his head. "You know my brother would hunt me down before I even made it out of the borderlands."

"Let him try," Ghost said, his grin widening. "I've got tricks he's never even dreamed of."

Zion didn't respond right away. He stared at Ghost, his dark eyes thoughtful, like he was weighing the offer more carefully than I expected. It wasn't like Zion to even entertain the idea of defying his brother—just the mention of it was risky. But Ghost had a way of getting under people's skin, of making them believe the impossible.

"Thanks, but no," Zion said finally, his voice steady. "I've got responsibilities back home."

Ghost shrugged, like he hadn't really expected a different answer. "Suit yourself. But if you ever change your mind, the door's open."

Zion smiled faintly, his expression softening for just a moment. "I appreciate it. Really."

Ghost reached out and clapped him on the shoulder, a rare gesture of genuine camaraderie. "You know where to find me."

I watched the exchange in silence, feeling a strange mix of emotions. Ghost's loyalty, his willingness to stand up to anyone—even Ajax or Zion's brother—was part of what made him such a good friend. But it also made him unpredictable, even dangerous. It was hard not to admire it, though, even if I could never bring myself to be like him.

Ghost let his hand fall from Zion's shoulder and turned to me with that familiar smirk, though I could see the faintest trace of disappointment in his eyes. "Well, Daggs, looks like you're stuck with your babysitters for now," he said, gesturing toward Ajax and CJ.

I rolled my eyes. "Yeah, yeah. Don't act like you didn't see this coming."

Ghost shrugged, the movement almost careless. "I meant what I said, though. If you ever need anything—anything—you know where to find me."

I raised an eyebrow. "Do I, though? You don't even have a phone."

Ghost grinned, leaning in slightly as if to share a secret. "Exactly. Makes me hard to track, doesn't it?"

I laughed despite myself. That was Ghost—always unpredictable, always impossible to pin down. He reached out and pulled me into a quick hug, the weight of his arm feeling both reassuring and fleeting. It wasn't unusual for Ghost to be physical—he wasn't shy about showing affection—but this hug felt different, like it carried something unspoken.

When he let go, Zion stepped forward. "Stay out of trouble," he said, his tone half-serious, half-teasing.

I smirked. "No promises."

Zion pulled me into a hug too, but it was brief, almost formal. Ghost, standing off to the side now, watched us with a faint smile, like he knew something I didn't. When it was Ghost's turn again, he wrapped his arms around me in another hug—longer this time, and tighter. For a moment, I didn't want to let go. 

"Take care of yourself, Daggs," Ghost said quietly, his voice losing some of its usual edge. Then, just like that, he released me and stepped back, his smirk returning as if the moment hadn't happened.

"Daggs!" Ajax's voice cut through the noise of the skatepark, sharp and impatient. "We're leaving!"

"Coming!" I called back, glancing one last time at Ghost and Zion. "Guess that's my cue."

Ghost gave me a mock salute, and Zion nodded once, his expression unreadable. I turned and jogged back toward Ajax and CJ, who were already heading for the car. As I climbed into the backseat, I couldn't shake the feeling that something had shifted—between Ghost, Zion, and me. But I didn't know what it was, and for now, I wasn't sure I wanted to figure it out.