Echoes of a stranger

moment of serenity before the storm. Today wasn't just any day for Jaxon Becket

anticipation settled over him. Today marked the launch of his most ambitious project yet

just enough to reflect his success. He walked with purpose, the gold cufflinks on his wrists glinting und

ed, microphones were thrust in his direction. His guards, ever-present and diligent, formed a barrier around him, guiding him thr

each filled with reporters eager to hear about the latest project from Beckett

hining down, his eyes scanning the room. He adjusted his

're unveiling the future .At Becket Innovations, we believe in pushing boun

on, the spotlight-it was all part of the game. But today, there was something differe

up, then another, then several more. Finally, a

eyebrows in the tech community. Some believe that your project could oversha

ct, challenging, but not unexpected. He smiled, leaning forwar

ady and sure. "Competition drives innovat

t the competition, but the future. And I'm co

The reporter nodded, clearly satisfied w

s. His team packed up swiftly, and the crowd dispersed, le

-

g. It was a silence that felt too loud, too heavy. He set his briefcase down

.pThe way they sat, awkwardly perched on the edge of the couch, their eyes sc

saw him, their faces

ome, as always. You've come so far, I'm so proud of you." She pul

ered by the solemnity of the moment. "We saw the conferenc

oked sharp up there, bro. But seriously, where's the gi

it off. "Yeah, well... I've been a li

one would've loved to see you up there. A girlfrien

e reach his eyes. He moved toward the kitchen to avoid the lingering d

parents spoke of the good old days, and Mason joked about their childhood. For a moment,

older than before. The silence crept back in, thicker than before. The co

neliness that settled deep in his chest. He couldn't shake the feeling

't come easily. Thoughts of the conference, of his parents, of his bro

e been able

ingered, her voice,

nd his breath slowed. But then, the air around him shif

hroat. His heart raced as he struggled

by a mask-a mask so eerily familiar it sent a jolt through his

iated through his side as he staggered, gripping the edge of the nightstand for balance. By the time his visio

ding.Questions swirled in hi

frame her or worse ,draw

ing wa

to fi