Page 40 of Echoes of Eternity

My shifts became a blur of clients and tattoos, punctuated by the occasional moment of clarity where I would feel the weight of exhaustion bearing down on me.

One upside to the erratic schedule was that it allowed me to avoid encounters with my ex. I hadn’t seen him since our last confrontation, and the sporadic nature of my sleep schedule affecting my work schedulekept me away from the places where he might look for me. That small comfort was one of the few things that helped me cope with the disorder and change.

I didn’t realize I had been standing frozen in the same position for the past thirty minutes, scrubbing at my station, until Chivonn’s voice cut through my thoughts.

“Seriously, Mae, you need to take a break,” she said firmly, walking over as soon as her client left. “You’re burning yourself out. If something’s going on, you should talk about it. After you get some sleep. Go home, Mae.”

I nodded my head and didn’t argue. Chivonn’s concern echoed in my mind while I climbed into my car, the engine purring to life beneath me. The drive home felt surreal, the world outside a blur of colors and shapes.

When I finally pulled into my driveway, an unsettling sense of emptiness washed over me. The house stood silent, its usual warmth absent. I pushed the door open and stepped inside, the echo of my footsteps almost reverberating against the walls.

“Hello?” I called out, my voice barely rising above a whisper. No response. The quiet felt oppressive, amplifying the weight of my thoughts. I walked through the living room, expecting Noboru to catch me, and throw me on the bed, but the stillness was all-consuming.

I shouldn’t complain. Wasn’t I just saying I needed sleep?Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth, Mae.

I sank onto the couch, the emptiness wrappingaround me like a heavy blanket. It felt wrong—too quiet, too still.

“Make up your mind, Mae. Do you want him here or don’t you?” I mumbled, confused at my sudden urge to call for him somehow. How could I miss Noboru so desperately with such a small absence? This bond is tripping me out, making me lose all my rational senses.

Suddenly, I thought I heard a soft noise—a rustle from the hallway. My heart raced. I stood up, straining to listen. “Noboru?” I called again, but there was no reply.

Cautiously, I moved toward the sound, each step filled with a mix of doubt and curiosity. The door to my bedroom stood ajar like it normally did, but something felt off. I pushed it open, peering inside.

Empty.

I sighed, leaning against the frame, and let my thoughts spiral again. Why did this feel so wrong? Why did I feel so alone? I had been fighting my own battles, but now the silence seemed to reflect all my fears back at me.

“This is what happens when you don’t get sleep,” I grumbled, shedding my clothes haphazardly and falling face-first onto the bed.

18

It wasa busy afternoon at the tattoo shop but the nine hours of sleep I had last night did me good. The steady hum of conversations and the rhythmic sound of tattoo needles filled the space, creating a familiar and comforting backdrop. My shift was running smoothly, and for once, I felt hopeful, a bit rejuvenated, anticipating the next time I saw Noboru.

I was planning on giving him a taste of his own medicine, wearinghimout.

That illusion shattered the moment the front door swung open with a forceful slam. Heads turned as a group of men stormed into the shop, their presence commanding immediate attention. At the forefront was my ex, his face set in a scowl that promised trouble.

“Ah shit,” Chivonn mumbled behind me, realizing immediately who this was with the way he was focused solely on me.

“Where have you been?” he demanded, his voiceechoing through the shop. “I’ve been looking everywhere for you!”

I froze for a moment, irritated at his audacity and a bit worried and what his move could mean for the shop, the lingering patrons and my coworkers. I recognized the dangerous glint in his eyes and it made my hackles rise. The sight of him almost casually dressed brought a wave of dread, especially with the group of Yakuza members flanking him in similar outfits—like they were out on official business. They were dressed in dark colors, probably to hide the blood more easily, their expressions cold and intimidating.

And I left my knife at home. Dammit!

I shot to my feet, trying to defuse the situation before it escalated further. “Look, this isn’t the time or place for this, Kaito,” I said, attempting to keep my voice calm and steady. “You need to leave.”

My ex’s eyes narrowed as he took in the shop’s atmosphere, the artwork on the walls, and the concerned faces of my coworkers. “I’m not leaving until I get answers, baby girl,” he said, his tone menacing as he leaned on the front counter casually. “You think you can just walk away from me? I’ve got an offer to settle, if you remember correctly.”

The tension in the room escalated rapidly as the guys cast curious glances my way, waiting for me to elaborate. I haven’t mentioned anything about the problems regarding my ex to Jake or Sam. Jake’s only interaction with him was that one day in the parking lot. My coworkers, sensing the imminent danger, stood up fromtheir stations while a few whimpers came from the lobby.

Chivonn, stepping forward with a determined look, spoke up. “Hey, you can’t just barge in here and make demands. This is a place of business, and you need to leave.”

The Yakuza members positioned themselves strategically in a half circle around us, their presence a clear intimidation tactic as well as creating a barrier between us and Kaito who began moving toward the front of the shop. The shop’s atmosphere turned thick with unease.

Jake, who had been working on a client, stepped in as well, his voice firm. “This isn’t the way to handle things. If you don’t leave right now, we’re calling the police.”

Kaito’s face twisted with anger behind his men, he was always a jealous prick when he wanted to be but never once considered me when he would flirt with other girls in front of me. Pushing through his barricade of Yakuza members, he leaned in and sneered. “You think you can threaten me, little man? If she doesn’t come back to me, I’ll make sure everyone here regrets it.”

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