chapter 14: love interests

                                    

                                          
Chapa POV: 
I just walked away from ShadowWoman's cell, the unsettling encounter lingering in my mind. As I made my way down the long hallway towards the first security gate, which would eventually lead to the exit, I counted the security gates—twelve in total—before finally entering the lobby. It was very late, and the lobby was almost empty.
Suddenly, I heard a familiar voice talking with the receptionist, saying she needed to visit someone named Kristen Michaels. The voice was too familiar to ignore. I turned around, my eyes widening in shock. What was Elena doing here? 
I couldn't approach her as Volt, nor could I risk revealing my presence to more people. Quietly, I walked away, my mind racing with confusion and concern. Why was Elena here? What business did she have in a place like this?
I finally made it home, my thoughts still spinning. I detransformed using the other gumballs Miles had given me, the familiarity of the process providing some small comfort. I couldn't stop thinking about Elena and her unexpected presence at the asylum.
As I lay in bed, my phone buzzed with a new message. It was from Elena. She apologized, admitting she had overreacted and asked if we could meet at a café tomorrow. I replied, saying I could only meet up after 6 PM since I would be visiting Sage and my parents earlier in the day. 
With that, I put my phone down, trying to quiet my racing thoughts. Eventually, sleep claimed me, though my dreams were haunted by the events of the day and the unresolved questions about Elena's visit to the asylum.
Bose POV: 
I was still at the Man's Nest with Mika, waiting anxiously for Miles to hopefully return with Chapa. Mika was working diligently on a medicine that might help with my injuries and pain from yesterday's battle. I wasn't fully recovered, and with the next fight looming, this would speed up my recovery.
"Here," Mika said, handing me a vial of the medicine. "This should help with the pain and get you back on your feet faster."
I nodded, grateful for her help. "Thanks, Mika. I really appreciate this."
She smiled. "No problem, Bose. You might want to consider sleeping here tonight if it gets too late. Driving back to Rivalton might not be the best idea in your condition."
I accepted her offer without hesitation. "That sounds like a good idea." Some of the bedrooms here are really nice. "Does Miles still live here?" 
"Yeah he does, he has enough money to buy a house though he likes it here and can save up a lot of money. Also if anything happens, like an emergency, he's here." Mika answered.
After taking the medicine, I started feeling a bit better. I then turned to Mika. "By the way, is it alright if I take a shower? I really need to clean up and destress."
Mika pointed down the hall. "Yeah sure, you can use the shower in Ray's old luxury bathroom. I'll show you."
I followed her, grateful that it wasn't far. The memories of Ray and our old adventures here came flooding back as we walked. When we reached the door, Mika opened it for me.
"Here you go," she said. "Take your time."
"Thanks, Mika," I replied, stepping into the bathroom.
The room was just as I remembered it—over the top but comfortable, with all the essentials. I turned on the shower, letting the water heat up. The steam began to fill the room, and I finally allowed myself to relax a bit. I undressed and stepped under the hot water, feeling the tension start to melt away.
Mika POV:
Bose was in the shower, and I was still working on our plan, hoping that Miles could convince Chapa to fight with us. However, I didn't have much hope. Suddenly, an annoying noise interrupted my work and thoughts. I saw Bose's phone lying on the couch in the Man's Nest. It was a call from someone named Andrew.