~~BEYOND THE BINARY~~

Chapter- 4

Chapter 4 – Unspoken Echoes

The tram doors hissed shut behind them.

Neon spilled onto the pavement, flickering off puddles and damp concrete as the group walked forward. The night was thick with the hum of distant traffic, the static murmur of city life pressing in from all sides.

Arden stretched their arms above their head with a groan. Alright, show of hands—who thinks that was the weirdest tour ever?"

Cassian snorted. "I'm still trying to figure out what that 'art installation' was. Was that a chair? Or... an elaborate prank?"

Selene hummed. "Definitely a prank. Or a test of our patience."

A short burst of laughter followed. Light. Easy. The same kind of effortless back-and-forth they always had.

But Iris didn't laugh.

Didn't react.

She kept walking, arms tucked close, gaze locked ahead like she was counting every step.

Ash nudged her. "What, too broke to function?"

Still nothing.

His smirk faltered for half a second before he slung an arm around her shoulders, shaking her lightly. "Don't tell me Nova finally humbled you—"

Iris flinched.

It wasn't dramatic. Just a sharp inhale, a tense jerk of her shoulders, a flicker of something—fear?—crossing her face before she masked it.

Ash immediately withdrew his arm. "Whoa. Didn't mean to—"

"I'm fine," she cut in, too fast. Too sharp.

For a moment, no one spoke.

The sounds of the city filled the silence—horns blaring, electric billboards buzzing, the distant chime of NOXIS's voice from a tram station far behind them.

Iris exhaled and forced a small smile. "Sorry. Just spaced out."

It didn't go unnoticed.

Selene's glance lingered longer than usual. Cassian shifted, eyes flicking to Iris, then quickly looking away. Arden shoved his hands deeper into his pockets. "Let's just go."

They moved.

But something felt off.

Not with them. Not with the city.

With her.

Her breath was too quick, too shallow. Her fingers gripped her phone a little too tight, like it could anchor her to something, anything.

Her steps were too slow, dragging.

She glanced at them—,They were talking, laughing, but it all felt distant. Their voices seemed to slip past her like water running through her fingers.

Something was wrong. She could feel it.

Ash nudged her shoulder. "You good?" His hand brushed hers, and it was like a shock of cold ran through her.

She didn't answer. She couldn't. Her mouth felt dry. Her throat  too tight.

They kept moving ahead, like nothing had changed.

But Iris could feel it—the faint pressure, like something was just beneath the surface. Watching. Waiting. She wasn't sure if it was real. But she couldn't shake it.

................................................................................................

Could she trust her own mind anymore?