The truck rattled over uneven ground.The others talked softly in front.Only Damian kept glancing sideways at Adrian, still trying to understand what kind of person he had brought into his life.
He didn't notice that every look made the young man tense a little more.
Adrian sat with his hands on his knees, back straight, pretending to rest.No one had ever stared at him like that before.It wasn't cruel. It wasn't greedy.But it was too much—too warm, too direct, too human.
He didn't know how to react.He had grown up reading eyes—learning when to run, when to lie, when to kneel.This man's gaze didn't fit any of those rules.It wasn't something he could fight or avoid.
He moved back slightly, hoping the man would look away.
Damian saw the motion.
Adrian was nervous, maybe embarrassed.A faint smile tugged at Damian's lips.He's grateful but doesn't know how to show it, Damian told himself.Adrian just needs time.
Damian leaned a little closer, his tone soft."You'll be fine, Adrian. We've got each other now."
Adrian's breath caught.The words were too intimate, too certain.He didn't trust them.
He turned his head away. "His eyes are… evil," he muttered.
The words were quiet, but the fear behind them was real.He didn't mean it as an insult.He meant it as a warning—to himself.Eyes like that belonged to people who could ruin others without meaning to.
Adrian moved his gaze away from Damian.
And in that moment, he made a decision.When he got stronger—when he had real power—he would leave Damian behind.
Damian didn't hear the thought.He only saw the young man turn away and mistook it for shyness.The faintest blush on his pale face sealed the illusion.He laughed softly to himself.Poor kid. He's never been cared for before.
For a moment, the truck was quiet.It almost looked like peace.
Then Adrian's head jerked back.Pain hit behind his eyes—sharp, rhythmic, electric.He pressed his fingers to his temples.
His ability stirred.A warning.
Something ahead.Something coming fast.
Up front, the navigation screen blinked twice—then flashed red.
GPS LOST – UNMARKED ZONE.