THE RETURN OF RYAN CARTER
666 Words
Chapter 5: The Return of Ryan Carter
Adrian’s grip on his phone tightened slightly.
That voice—
He would never forget it.
“Ryan…” Adrian said calmly.
A soft chuckle came from the other end.
“Wow, didn’t expect you to recognize me that fast.”
Adrian’s expression remained unchanged, but his eyes had already turned cold.
In his past life, hearing Ryan’s voice always brought comfort.
Trust.
Brotherhood.
Now—
It only reminded him of betrayal.
“It’s been a while,” Ryan continued. “Where have you been, man? You just disappeared.”
Adrian leaned against the nearby wall, his tone steady.
“Been busy.”
“Busy?” Ryan laughed lightly. “You sound different.”
Adrian didn’t respond immediately.
Of course I do, he thought.
I’ve already seen how this ends.
“Anyway,” Ryan continued, “I’m in town. Thought we could meet up. Catch up like old times.”
Old times.
Adrian almost found it ironic.
If Ryan only knew…
“…Sure,” Adrian said after a brief pause.
Silence fell on the other end.
Ryan seemed slightly surprised.
“Really? That easy?”
“Why not?” Adrian replied casually.
A small game had already begun.
If he avoided Ryan completely, it would raise suspicion.
If he got too close, he risked repeating the past.
So—
He would do neither.
He would stay close enough to watch…
But far enough to never be hurt again.
“Alright then,” Ryan said. “There’s a place we used to go. Same spot. Tomorrow?”
“I know it,” Adrian replied.
“Good. See you there.”
The call ended.
Adrian lowered his phone slowly.
His expression darkened.
“So it starts…” he muttered.
This time—
He wouldn’t be the one getting played.
The next day.
Adrian arrived at the café a few minutes early.
Same place.
Same setting.
Even the atmosphere felt identical to his memories.
But one thing had changed—
Him.
“Adrian!”
Ryan’s voice came from behind.
Adrian turned.
There he was.
Ryan Carter.
Same friendly smile.
Same confident posture.
The perfect image of someone you could trust.
Adrian studied him carefully.
If I didn’t know the truth…
I’d still believe in you.
“Long time,” Adrian said.
Ryan walked over and pulled him into a brief hug.
“Man, you really disappeared on me,” Ryan said. “No calls, no messages.”
Adrian gave a faint smile.
“Needed time.”
Ryan nodded as if he understood.
But his eyes—
Adrian noticed it immediately.
A flicker of curiosity.
Suspicion.
Just for a second.
Interesting…
They sat down.
Ryan started talking casually, as if nothing had changed.
But Adrian wasn’t listening to the words.
He was watching.
Every expression.
Every pause.
Every shift in tone.
In his past life, he trusted blindly.
Now—
He analyzed everything.
“You remember Sophia?” Ryan suddenly asked.
Adrian’s hand paused slightly.
Of course he remembered.
Too well.
“Yeah,” Adrian replied calmly.
Ryan smirked.
“I ran into her recently. She’s doing pretty well.”
Adrian’s gaze didn’t change.
But inside—
Something stirred.
So this is how it starts…
Before Adrian could respond—
A familiar voice interrupted.
“Adrian?”
Both men turned.
Standing there—
Was Elena Rivers.
She looked slightly surprised, her gaze moving between the two of them.
“Oh… I didn’t know you were busy,” she said.
Adrian stood up instinctively.
“It’s fine,” he said. “Elena, right?”
Ryan raised an eyebrow.
“Elena?” he repeated, curious.
Adrian nodded.
“A friend.”
Elena smiled politely.
“Nice to meet you.”
Ryan returned the smile, but his eyes sharpened slightly.
“Ryan Carter,” he said.
For a brief moment—
The atmosphere shifted.
Subtle.
But noticeable.
Adrian caught it instantly.
Ryan’s curiosity.
Elena’s calm presence.
And himself—
Standing right between the past…
And something new.
- Writer
