The rain outside had quieted to a gentle whisper, tapping softly against the windowpane. Inside, the safehouse was cloaked in dim lighting, long shadows stretching across the walls. Colleen sat cross-legged on the couch, her expression unreadable, eyes fixed on Sue, who sat opposite her—arms folded, lips pressed tightly together, still visibly shaken.
Colleen leaned in slightly, her tone calm but tinged with curiosity.
"So… how did you even meet Alex?"
Sue blinked, as though pulled from deep thought. She exhaled and began slowly.
"It started with this guy named Sam. Said he had a job for me—nothing illegal, just a delivery. But when I followed him… he brought me straight to Alex's place."
Colleen raised an eyebrow.
"Just like that?"
Sue gave a dry laugh.
"Yeah. No warning. No choice. Looking back… I think Sam was already using Alex. Maybe even blackmailing him. Doesn't matter anymore."
She looked down at her hands, fidgeting nervously.
"One thing led to another… and then both Alex and I ended up under house arrest. Sam got into some accident—almost died—and everything spiraled from there."
She hesitated, then added softly,
"Weirdly though… thar week? They were the safest I've felt in a long time."
Colleen listened, silent.
"Alex never threatened me. Never touched me. Never even raised his voice," Sue continued. "I'm an orphan street girl. Every day felt like something could go wrong… but with him, it was like I'd finally found a safe place."
Colleen's eyes narrowed just slightly.
"Did something… happen between you two?"
Sue shook her head firmly.
"No. Nothing like that. Alex was like this introverted gamer type. We barely spoke, aside from him asking if I needed anything or checking in once or twice."
She gave a faint smile.
"If anything, he acted like I wasn't even really there. Like he was just putting up with me because he had to."
Colleen tilted her head, thoughtful.
"That doesn't sound like the Alex I know."
Sue looked up at her, confused.
"Why not?"
Colleen sighed, leaning back.
"Because… the way I met him was a little different. He beat me—well, not like that," she said quickly, seeing Sue's shocked expression.
"We had a martial arts match. He defeated me. And then—right after that—he asked me out on a date."
Sue blinked, then gave a small laugh.
"Seriously?"
Colleen nodded, smiling faintly.
"Yeah. We had our first date soon after… and now, well, we're kind of in a relationship."
She glanced at Sue, subtly studying her reaction. But Sue looked… normal. No jealousy. No tension. Just mild amusement.
"Phew," Colleen thought, relaxing a bit. 'So she doesn't have feelings for Alex after all.'
Sue chuckled.
"That is really weird. When I stayed with him that week, it honestly felt like he barely noticed I was there. He never even tried to talk to me much."
Colleen nodded slowly, her earlier doubts starting to fade.
'Maybe I was overthinking everything,' she thought. 'There's nothing romantic between Alex and Sue. He's probably just helping her because of some old friendship or guilt. Nothing more.'
And for the first time that night, Colleen felt a quiet sense of clarity settle in her chest. She no longer looked at Sue as someone dangerous in her and Alex relationship.
Sue shifted slightly, curling her legs up on the chair as her curiosity finally bubbled to the surface.
"Hey… can I ask you something else?" she said, hesitantly.
Colleen looked over, nodding.
"Sure. What is it?"
Sue tapped her fingers against her arm, searching for the right words.
"Chi. That energy stuff you and Alex use. What is it exactly? And how do you even know how to use it?"
Colleen blinked, surprised—but not annoyed. She smiled a little.
"Chi isn't just energy. It's… life force. Flowing through everyone, through everything. Most people never tap into it, but with training, focus—and sometimes trauma—you can learn to feel it, guide it, even weaponize it."
Sue frowned, leaning in, intrigued.
"So… it's like magic?"
Colleen chuckled.
"Some people see it that way. But no—it's not magic. It's part of you. Like blood or breath. It's not about casting spells—it's about mastering yourself. Controlling your inner world so you can influence the outer one."
Sue nodded slowly, eyes wide.
"Did Alex teach you that?"
Colleen paused, thoughtful.
"No. I was learning about Chi before I met him. My sensei taught me—at Chikara Dojo. It's where I trained for years. But Alex… he's different."
"Different how?"
Colleen tilted her head slightly.
"His Chi feels... unnatural. Heavy. Like it's not just life force, but something darker. Controlled, but dangerous. As if it's been mixed with something corrupted, something demonic."
Sue's eyes widened.
"Now that you say it… I remember once seeing Alex reading a book, and for a moment, it felt like I was looking at a ghost."
She shivered slightly.
"I thought I was hallucinating. I didn't understand it then—but now… it makes sense."
Colleen nodded solemnly.
"Partly. Alex isn't evil, but he's… carrying things inside him that most people wouldn't survive. I don't know everything he's been through, but whatever it was—it changed him. He walks a fine line between control and chaos."
Sue sat quietly, processing every word.
Then, after a moment of silence, she asked softly:
"Aren't you afraid of him?"
Colleen shook her head without hesitation.
"No. He's kind."
She smiled faintly, recalling the memory.
"During our first date, we passed by this old man selling books on the street. When Alex saw him struggling, he stopped, bought a few books he didn't even need, and gave the man some extra cash."
She paused, then added,
"It might seem like pity to some—but a cold, selfish person wouldn't do something like that. That was real kindness."
Sue looked at Colleen, thoughtful.
"Whatever happens, I think I'll stay with you from now on. After all… I've already taken this Chi stuff in—whether I wanted to or not. And honestly, if I keep wandering on my own, I'll probably end up strapped to a metal table somewhere because of that damn serum I took."
Colleen gave a slow nod, her expression softening.
"The pain is real. But what you gain from it—if you can survive—can make you stronger than most. Especially among Chi users. Though…" she gave a half-smile, "I doubt anyone can surpass Alex."
Sue let out a small laugh.
"How powerful is he, really?"
Her voice had a mix of awe and concern. After all, she'd now seen many things—energy shields stopping bullets, blades deflected with bare hands.
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