Pheromone

8

My heart thudded loudly against my chest as I watched Echo charge toward me with an unwavering intensity. A tingling sensation coursed through my body as he drew closer, a whirlwind of energy and anticipation swirling around us. Then, in an instant, everything went quiet. I glanced around, and to my astonishment, everyone was frozen in place. Even Akila, perched atop the shoulders of a one-eyed giant, wore a huge grin on her face, popcorn gripped tightly in her hand; her claws punctured the bucket as if it were mere tissue paper.

Was I the cause of this strange stillness? I scanned the room again, searching for any signs of movement, but I found none. My eyes darted back to my own body—everything seemed normal except for that peculiar tingling sensation. With a swift movement, I dodged the trajectory of Echo's fist and retaliated, landing a punch squarely on his face. A soft chuckle escaped my lips as I exited the ring, settling into the crowd, my heart racing from the thrill of it all.

I settled into a chair and let my mind wander for about twenty minutes, replaying the day's events. Monica and Shadow kept intruding on my thoughts—were they alright? How long had it been since I vanished? I hadn’t caught a glimpse of a clock since my time with Akila, and honestly, I doubted it would provide any clarity. Time felt different here, slipping through my fingers like sand.

Once I pulled myself out of my pitiful reverie, I shifted my focus to a far more urgent issue: how on earth to unfreeze time. I pushed my way through the throngs of people, each person caught in a moment—some mid-laugh, others frozen in shock. The casino buzzed with life just moments earlier, but now it felt like a surreal movie, everyone locked in various poses.

I paused, closing my eyes tight. Maybe this was one of those situations where I had to visualize things shifting back to normal like my mother always insisted when it came to manifesting her dreams. I used to roll my eyes at her—after all, who could genuinely believe that simply wishing or thinking hard enough could make reality bend to your will? If that were true, wouldn't everyone be living their ultimate lives by now?

Still, with skepticism trailing in the back of my mind, I embraced the moment and pictured it: everyone moving once more, laughter swirling around me, the air vibrant with energy. I willed it to happen.

As I blinked my eyes open, everything around me appeared to have reverted to normal. A wave of relief washed over me as I glanced back at the ring; Echo lay sprawled on the floor, clutching his face in disbelief. Akila scanned the crowd, her gaze locking onto mine. With a snap of her fingers, she materialized in front of me, a proud smile stretching across her face. “How did you do that?” she asked, her eyes wide with astonishment.

I shrugged, still grappling with the inexplicable moment. “I just didn’t want that musclehead to hit me, and then… time froze.” Her expression was one of shock, a glint of admiration flickering in her eyes.

Without a word, she took my hand, and we wove our way through the throng of people, her grip firm and reassuring. We finally came to a halt at a poker table, where an older man lounged, smoke curling from the cigar perched between his fingers. He briefly glanced up at us, his eyes registering our presence before turning his attention back to the cards spread before him. “What do you want, Akila?” he grunted, his voice low and gravelly, thick with indifference.

She perched on the edge of the poker table, a mischievous smile playing on her lips as she caught the glares from the other players. The dimly lit room was thick with tension, the air heavy with cigarettes and the scent of aged whiskey. Across the table, the old man remained focused on his game, unfazed by her antics.

With calculated slowness, Akila let her fingers glide down his chest, tracing the lines of his worn, tailored shirt. He remained stoic for a moment, but then, with a swift motion, he pushed her hands away, irritation etched on his weathered face. A cloud of cigarette smoke escaped his lips, enveloping her in a haze.

"You know that seduction s**t doesn't work on me, Akila," he grunted, his voice gravelly, hinting at years of indulgence. "What do you want? Make it quick. You're disturbing my vacation time." The words hung in the air, laced with both annoyance and a touch of resignation as he returned his attention to the cards in his hand. She huffed in annoyance, her brows furrowing as she crossed her arms tightly over her chest. “I need some help with some information Aurelius,” she said, her voice slightly raised to cut through the symphony of laughter and clinking chips that filled the vibrant casino. He looked over, curiosity etched on his face as he leaned in closer, eager to understand. “About Morpheus,” she continued, her voice dropping to a hushed whisper. It was as if the entire casino went silent at that moment, the colorful lights dimming and the sounds fading, leaving just the two of them in a bubble of tension and intrigue. I shifted nervously from one foot to the other, my heart pounding as I watched Aurelius. His body language grew increasingly tense, yet he hadn’t lifted his gaze from his cards, his expression unrecognizable.The atmosphere in the crowded room was thick with anticipation, the tension palpable and almost unbearable, as whispers rippled through the gathered onlookers. , we were teleported to a more isolated room—just Aurelius and us, away from prying eyes. He stood before us, a giant throne-like chair looming behind him, emphasizing his authority in this domain.

Staring us down with a serious expression etched deep into his features, he demanded, “Why do you ask about Morpheus, and who is this guy?” His tone was sharp, piercing through the silence like a blade. “I know everyone in the underworld, yet I have never seen him.” He cast a stern look at both Akila and me, his piercing gaze casting judgment as if he were weighing our very souls. The weight of his scrutiny hung in the air, making it clear that our reasons for being there would need to be impeccable to earn his trust.