CHAPTER 32: CHAPTER 32: SUPRESSED

Jace unlocked his phone, set it down on the counter, and pressed play.

Eva stepped closer, leaning in to watch.

The video opened with the familiar transition of a local news channel. A polished anchor in a dark blazer sat at the desk, papers in hand.

"Good evening, Grayson. Tonight’s top story, city officials have confirmed that the creature responsible for yesterday’s downtown destruction is dead."

The screen cut to shaky clips taken by terrified onlookers: the distant outline of the hulking beast tearing through cars, smoke rising behind it. Sirens wailed faintly under the chaos.

"The attack left fifteen injured, three in critical condition, and caused an estimated twelve million in damages to property and infrastructure," the anchor continued. "Authorities have not released the name of the party or parties responsible for killing the creature, but sources confirm the fight took place late last night on the east industrial waterfront."

Eva’s jaw tightened as she listened.

The broadcast shifted to a reporter standing on a cracked stretch of concrete, police tape fluttering behind her.

"What we do know is that earlier today, amateur footage surfaced, captured from a security camera across the river. The video is grainy, and the audio is heavily distorted, but it shows... something."

The feed jumped to the black-and-white clip. Static crawled over the screen as two figures clashed in the fog.

One was massive, its outline jagged, almost bestial, while the other moved with speed and precision, slipping in and out of the monster’s reach.

The fight played out in jerky silhouettes, the shapes barely distinct enough to follow.

Flashes of movement hinted at powerful strikes, evasive rolls, and sudden bursts of impact that sent the larger figure reeling.

The sound was nothing but warped crunches and low, distorted thuds.

The anchor’s voice returned over the footage. "Experts are divided on whether the smaller figure is a meta-human. Grayson has had no confirmed super-powered individuals in recent history, leading many to wonder, was this a one-time intervention... or is our city about to meet its first real hero?"

The video looped again, slower this time.

Eva’s eyes stayed fixed on the screen. "They’re talking like they don’t already know."

Jace didn’t answer. His gaze was locked on the blurry silhouette, the way it moved, the rhythm of its strikes. It was unmistakable to him.

[Jace, you should see what people are saying about you on social media. It’s all positive. I mean, man...]

Eva glanced at him. "You actually killed it..."

[With this kind of PR, you might actually be a hero.]

"No, thank you," Jace replied flatly.

Zin went silent for a beat.

Eva blinked at him. "What do you mean, ’no thank you’?"

"What I said," Jace said, still looking at the counter. "I’m not going to become a superhero."

She stared at him, disbelief written all over her face. "Jace, you took my powers, powers I used to help people. I know you didn’t do it on purpose, but the least you could do is continue helping others."

Jace’s eyes lifted to meet hers. "Eva, I get it. They were your powers. And yeah, I ’stole’ them. But that doesn’t mean you get to decide what I do with them. I make my own choices, and I’ve made mine."

Eva hesitated, her frustration showing in the tightness of her jaw.

[Jace, maybe cool it a bit,] Zin murmured in his head, his tone cautious. [This isn’t going to go anywhere good if you push too hard right now.]

Jace sighed and stepped closer, resting his hands lightly on her shoulders. She twitched like she might push him away, but didn’t.

"Look... I’m sorry about my tone," he said. "I’m just—" He exhaled, trying to find the words. "Eva, the reason I went there was to save you. I’ve never wanted to be a hero. And if Grayson does get one, that means criminals will start stepping up too. That’s not just an opinion, it’s been proven over and over."

Before she could answer, he let go and stepped back.

He already knew what was coming next, another push to change his mind, and he didn’t want to hear it. Jace had no desire to be a hero.

Eva stood there, watching him walk away. She didn’t understand how someone she had met only a day ago could already have her emotions in such a tight grip.

The door shut behind him, and the quiet that followed felt heavier than before.

She stayed still, her thoughts tangled between frustration, curiosity, and something else she didn’t want to name yet.

Jace pushed open the heavy metal door, ignoring the faded No Entry sign bolted to it. He knew another way through, one the building’s security didn’t care to notice.

The night air hit him as he stepped onto the roof. He breathed in deeply, the cool wind cutting through the stale air of the stairwell. "Long time since I’ve been here."

[How long have you lived here?] Zin’s voice hummed through the phone in his pocket.

"Since I got here," Jace replied, walking toward the ledge. "That’s been years."

He rested his hands on the concrete edge, leaning forward to take in the view before pulling a crumpled pack from his pocket. A cigarette slid between his fingers.

[I didn’t know you smoked. You’re aware of the downsides, lung damage, slower recovery, decreased stamina. The upsides are mostly in stress regulation and, in your case, keeping your hands busy. Given your current physiology, though, it’s unlikely the effects would hit you as hard as a normal human.]

"I don’t smoke... not anymore," Jace said, placing the cigarette between his lips without lighting it. "I quit a while back. I keep a few on me for when it’s... you know, too much. And it feels like that time’s here."

They both went quiet as Jace lit the cigarette. The flame flared briefly before fading, and he drew in the smoke, holding it for a moment before exhaling through his nose.

"You know," he said with a short chuckle, "I used to smoke weed."

[Jace, I have a question.]

"Sure, go ahead."

[During your conversation with Eva, she said you didn’t know what it’s like to have something taken from you. The moment she said that, you started to lose control. I know about your situation with the family you left, but I’m guessing there’s more to it.]

Jace’s jaw tightened. "Can we talk about something else? How much money have we made already?"

[But Jace—]

"I asked a question, Zin!" he snapped, his voice echoing against the rooftop.

[So far, your account balance is sitting at—]

Jace cut him off before he could finish. "This isn’t doing anything." He flicked the cigarette over the edge, watching the faint glow vanish into the darkness below.

Without another word, he turned and headed back toward the rooftop door, ignoring whatever Zin was about to say. The AI stayed silent, its earlier question still hanging unaddressed in the back of Jace’s mind.