The Scent of Scars

“JL, you need to meet the investor. Wear a mask if it makes you feel safer—just… come back.” Gio’s voice crackled through the satellite call, impatient and tinged with concern. My best friend. The only one who still bothers to reach out. I’m the owner of Jinx Electronics. Or at least… I used to be. It’s been a year since I vanished from the city. I’ve been living alone on this island ever since. Here, the waves drown out the noise. The silence keeps the memories at bay. Whatever happened before—I refuse to let it happen again. I don’t want to be around Alphas. Not after what one did to me. Not after him. “Do your best to close the deal,” Gio said. “And I’ll finally tell you about the project I’ve been working on.” There was a pause. “But you need to come here, JL… or you might lose everything. Including the company.” I sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose as I looked out at the waves crashing against the shore. “He’s bluffing,” I muttered. “You’ve said that a dozen times, Gio. The company’s fine. I have eyes everywhere.” I wasn’t exaggerating. Even in isolation, I kept track of every corner of Jinx Electronics. Every hire. Every deal. Every movement. And Gio knew it. “You think just because I’m not in the city, I’m not watching?” I let out a soft chuckle. Please. The company’s safer without me there.” There was silence on the other end, then a low sigh. “JL… This isn’t just about business anymore.” His voice dropped, softer now. Warmer. “There are things happening behind your back. Things I can’t stop on my own.” I froze. That tone—Gio only used it when he was serious. When it wasn’t just about numbers or contracts. “You’re still guarding a ghost, JL,” he added. “But if you don’t come back soon… you might not have anything left to protect.” My fingers curled around the edge of the table. I hated it when he talked like that. Like he knew exactly where to press. Because maybe he did. “I’m not coming back, Gio.” My voice was steady. Final. “The island is quiet. No one asks questions. No one looks at me like I’m broken. I need this.” I heard Gio sigh again. He didn’t argue this time. He knew better than anyone what I went through. He was there when everything fell apart—when he left. When the lies unraveled. Gio never pushed me. Never judged me. That’s why I trust him. The only one who never turned his back. A Beta with a stable life, a loving partner, and a kid who calls me “Uncle JL” in video calls I rarely answer. “You’re the only one I trust to keep things in line,” I continued. “You’ve done that, Gio." Even if I’m not there, I am watching. And I know you’ve had my back.” There was a pause. “I just don’t want you to disappear completely, JL,” Gio said quietly. You’re not broken. You were hurt. That’s different.” Something tightened in my chest, but I didn’t let it show. “I’m just tired,” I said. And I’m not ready to be around Alphas. Or anyone else.” Another long silence stretched between us. Then, softly— “Okay,” Gio said. But if things get worse… promise me you’ll come back. Even just for a little while. Even if it’s only to see me.” I smiled at what he said. . I smiled faintly at what Gio said. “Bye.” I ended the call before he could say anything else. Gio always knew how to get under my skin—just enough to make me feel, but never enough to push me over the edge. After the call, I made my way to the small kitchen. I started preparing a simple meal. Something light. Something that would let me swim afterward without feeling too heavy. The sun was high, the sea calm. Perfect for a swim. As I stirred the pot absentmindedly, my thoughts drifted— To my uncle. Always worrying. Always calling. Always checking in like I was still that scared, abandoned boy he had to protect. I knew why he couldn’t visit. His loyalty lay with someone I couldn't even bear to hear about. His master—the Alpha who shattered everything. Just because you serve someone doesn’t mean I have to face them. He made his choice. And I made mine. I rinsed the last dish and set it aside, but my mind had already slipped backward. On the night I left. It was raining. The kind of heavy, pounding storm that soaked everything in minutes—fitting, really. I had packed only what I needed. The rest I left behind. I was already at the door when I heard him. “JL.” His voice was low, barely audible over the thunder. I turned slowly, my hand on the doorknob. My uncle stood there, drenched from the rain, his coat clinging to him. His eyes—so much like mine—searched my face. “You don’t have to do this,” he said. “You don’t have to disappear.” I said nothing. He stepped closer, the faint scent of ash and rain lingering on him. His hands trembled, whether from cold or emotion. I couldn’t tell. “He was wrong,” my uncle whispered. “What he did… I never agreed with it. I never supported it.” I looked away. “But you stayed,” I said. My voice was quiet, but sharp like a blade. “You’re still with him.” His breath hitched. “It’s not that simple—” “It is to me.” "I’m not asking you to betray your master,” I finally said. “I’m just asking you to let me go… and don’t tell him about any of this.” His eyes welled, but he didn’t cry. He never did. He only nodded—slowly, reluctantly—like it was the hardest thing he’d ever done. And then I walked away. The memory faded as I stood still in the kitchen, the steam from the food long gone cold. And just like that— I felt it. The silence. The kind that doesn't soothe anymore. The kind that echoed. My hands clenched around the edge of the counter. My throat tightened, and I blinked fast, but it was no use. The tears came anyway. Not loud. Not dramatic. Just quiet. Like something finally gave way inside me. After everything— After trusting the wrong person, after leaving the only family I had, after burying my name, my past, my heart— I was alone. Truly, painfully, finally… alone. And maybe that was the price of survival. I leaned against the counter, wiping my face with the back of my hand like it didn’t matter. No one will be here to see me break anyway. ......................... I don’t know how long I sat there—eyes fixed on nothing, heart hollow and aching. Eventually, I forced myself to stand. Washing the dishes gave my hands something to do. The silence settled again, familiar but colder now. I stepped outside, letting the breeze hit my face. The scent of salt and earth. The only thing that made sense anymore. And then— Crack. A sharp sound from the woods behind the house. My muscles tensed instantly. I wasn’t imagining it. That wasn’t an animal. I reached for the small, rusted machete I kept by the door. Just in case. Another rustle. This time, a voice. Faint, but close. “Hello?” No. No one was supposed to be here. I kept myself off every map. I burned every bridge. Gio promised—he promised—he wouldn’t tell anyone. I stepped slowly toward the path leading into the trees, my grip tightening around the blade. Then I saw him. A figure, pushing through the brush, breathless. Soaked in sweat, dirt on his clothes. Tall. Disheveled. Familiar. My heart stopped. “… You,” I whispered. Not Gio. Not a stranger. But him. The Alpha I swore I’d never see again. The one I ran from. Next