Chapter 12 - 11: The Ride Home and an Unwanted Intrusion
Franz’s POV – The Ride Home
The night air rushed past him in a blur, cool against his skin as he sped down the dimly lit streets. The low growl of the engine echoed through the empty roads, the city lights flickering past like remnants of another life. Franz Kafka leaned forward on his bike, gripping the handles tightly as he weaved through traffic at dangerously high speeds.
The first day of college had gone well. Surprisingly normal. No bullshit, no unnecessary drama. Just lectures, casual conversations, and an uneventful lunch. A good, quiet life—exactly what he wanted.
But if only his father and brothers were still here.
His grip tightened momentarily. He could almost see them, hear their voices. The weight of loss sat heavy in his chest, a void he had learned to carry. But he shook his head, pushing the thoughts away. He had already done what needed to be done. His revenge was complete. There was no use drowning in the past when they wouldn’t want that for him.
A faint chuckle escaped him. They would probably be furious if they saw him wasting his second chance mourning. He exhaled sharply and twisted the throttle, increasing his speed, leaving behind the lingering sadness like a shadow stretching in the rearview mirror.
A few minutes later, he slowed down, pulling into a convenience store parking lot. Killing the engine, he swung off his bike and walked inside, the chime of the entrance bell breaking the quiet.
Zane’s POV – The Convenience Store
Zane sighed, rubbing his temple as he leaned against the counter. The night shift at the convenience store wasn’t exactly glamorous, but he didn’t have much of a choice. His parents had cut off his allowance after another argument about his grades, telling him to "learn responsibility."
So here he was, bagging instant noodles and selling cigarettes to tired office workers.
Just as he considered checking his phone, the door chimed. He glanced up, only to freeze for a second.