Chapter Forty-One

(Midtown - Gotham City)

Jayden's footsteps echoed on the quiet street as he approached the front door of Michael's house. But as he was, he noticed something quite worrisome...

Jayden hurried toward Michael's home, his heart pounded in his chest. The muddy footprints on the walkway heightened his sense of urgency. He quickened his pace, fearing the worst.

Reaching the front door, Jayden's heart sank as he noticed the splintered wood and the signs of forced entry.

Instinct kicked in, and he swiftly activated his unique abilities. With a few deft motions, he fashioned a small, hair-made gun and turned himself invisible using his illusionary powers.

Cautiously, he stepped into the house, his invisible form gliding silently through the familiar surroundings. His heightened senses tuned in to every sound, every movement. The tension in the air was palpable.

To his relief, Jayden spotted Michael inside the house, seemingly unharmed but visibly shaken.

At that moment, Jayden deactivated his invisibility and materialized beside him. With a mischievous smirk, he tapped Michael on the shoulder.

Michael jumped, his eyes wide with surprise and fear. "Jayden! What the... How did you...?"

Jayden couldn't help but chuckle at Michael's startled reaction. "Sorry, didn't mean to scare you. I've got my ways, you know." He motioned towards the broken door. "Are you alright, though? What happened here?"

Michael took a deep breath, his voice trembling slightly. "I came home to find the place like this. It seems someone broke in, but I'm not sure why or who. I was just about to call the police."

Jayden could obviously tell he was lying just based on his body language alone, but he didn't call him out on it.'

Michael's attempts to appear nonchalant didn't fool Jayden—he could sense that something was off.

However, he decided not to confront Michael directly, choosing instead to maintain a friendly demeanour.

With a concerned expression, Jayden said, "Michael, I got a tip from an anonymous source that they saw you hanging around some questionable characters. I just wanted to make sure you're okay."

Michael visibly tensed, his eyes darting nervously for a brief moment. "What? No, it's not like that. We were just drinking buddies, that's all," he replied, his voice wavering slightly.

Jayden didn't push further, respecting Michael's reluctance to share the truth. "Alright, man. I trust you. If everything is fine, that's good to hear. But remember, if you ever find yourself in a tough spot or need someone to talk to, I'm here for you."

Michael slumped onto a torn and tattered couch, his expression revealing a mix of relief and inner turmoil. Jayden gave him a comforting smile before turning to leave.

"Just take care, alright?" Jayden said, his voice filled with genuine concern. "And remember, you're not alone in this."

With those parting words, Jayden left Michael's house, leaving his friend to contemplate the events that had transpired.

Jayden couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to the story, that Michael was hiding something important.

However, he respected his customer's privacy and chose to let him handle it in his own way.

As Jayden made his way back to his BMW S 1000 RR motorcycle, he couldn't help but reflect on the complex web of secrets and mysteries that seemed to surround Gotham City.

The Architect, the missing people, and now Michael's unspoken troubles—all intertwined, demanding his attention and vigilance.

' I can't just leave him unprotected, I know I've informed Barbara but it's always better to be prepared, I had to learn that the hard way.' Before leaving Jayden had used his creation ability to leave a few trackers on Michael.

He also made two clones to keep a lookout and to gather any useful information that he could.

( *Sheds tear* Batman would be so proud.)

Jayden dident want to expose himself to the villains, but he also didn't want his customer to be in danger, so this was the best option.

'Hopefully, Batman or another hero can deal with this Architect guy before any more people disappear.'

With his preparations complete, Jayden hopped on his BMW S 1000 RR motorcycle and headed back to his home.

The ride allowed him to clear his mind, the wind rushing past his face providing a sense of clarity amidst the chaos that was unfolding.

...

After Jayden arrived home, he was greeted by Raven, his loyal feline companion.

The sleek black cat rubbed against his legs, purring softly as if sensing his owner's mixed emotions.

Jayden crouched down to give Raven a gentle pat on the head before making his way to his bedroom.

As he entered his living room, Jayden couldn't help but feel a mix of worry and determination.

He knew that his involvement in this dangerous world was inevitable when he got involved with Selina, and he needed to be prepared for whatever challenges lay ahead.

As he entered the bedroom, the dim light cast a serene ambience, revealing the peaceful figures of Lola and Selina, curled up in the warmth of his Alaskan King size bed.

Ever since they had agreed on their relationship status, the two women had become a constant presence in his life, finding solace and comfort in each other's company.

Jayden couldn't help but smile as he observed their serene expressions, the soft rise and fall of their chests in sync with their peaceful slumber.

He knew that they were drawn to him, seeking the same connection and affection that he cherished with them.

Carefully, Jayden decided to follow his usual bedtime routine before joining the two women. He undressed, setting aside his clothes in a neat pile, and headed into the bathroom.

The warm water of the shower cascaded over him, washing away the cares of the day.

He let the soothing sensation of the water relax his tense muscles, allowing the worries and stresses to be carried down the drain.

Jayden took his time, relishing in the tranquillity of the moment.

After stepping out of the shower, Jayden wrapped himself in a plush towel, revelling in the comforting touch against his skin.

He stood before the mirror, his reflection gazing back at him.

He picked up his toothbrush and squeezed a dollop of toothpaste onto its bristles.

Jayden proceeded to brush his teeth, methodically moving the brush in gentle circles, ensuring every corner was cared for.

The rhythmic sound of brushing, accompanied by the faint hum of the bathroom fan, created a soothing symphony that filled the space.

Once his teeth were sparkling clean, Jayden rinsed his mouth and splashed his face with cool water, invigorating his senses. He dried his face with a soft towel, relishing in the refreshing feeling it brought.

Now prepared for bed, Jayden returned to his bedroom, where Lola and Selina still slept peacefully.

Jayden changed into his pyjamas, a simple pair of loose trousers, deciding to forgo a shirt due to the warmth of the room.

He slipped into bed, his presence rousing the senses of Lola and Selina. Almost instinctively, they moved closer, snuggling against him, seeking his embrace.

Jayden wrapped his arms around them, holding them tenderly as if to protect and cherish their delicate existence.

He felt their warmth seep into his skin, their soft breaths against his chest as they nuzzled closer, finding comfort and security in his presence.

At that moment, surrounded by the tranquillity of the room and the gentle rhythm of their breathing, Jayden's mind briefly drifted to thoughts of Michael.

Taking a moment to gather his thoughts, Jayden made a mental note to keep a close eye on the trackers, ensuring that he would be alerted if anything out of the ordinary occurred.

He also reminded himself to check in with his hair clones periodically to gather any information that could shed light on the mysterious Architect and his activities.

"It's a delicate balance," Jayden whispered to himself. "But I won't let fear dictate my actions. I'll protect those I care about, no matter what."

With a silent prayer for Michael's well-being, Jayden pressed a soft kiss to the foreheads of Lola and Selina, their slumber undisturbed by the gesture.

He wished them peaceful dreams and whispered words of love and protection into the stillness of the night.

As fatigue settled over him, Jayden's mind slowly surrendered to the embrace of sleep. He held onto Lola and Selina, their bodies entwined in a loving embrace.

The worries of the outside world momentarily faded, replaced by the tenderness of the moment.