Episode 52: Pressure Points
That night, Jaden trained alone. Running drills until his legs gave out.
Every touch, every shot, every sprint—perfect or not at all.
He couldn't afford a bad day anymore.
But as he rested near the edge of the pitch, someone approached.
Felix.
He didn't smirk this time. He didn't taunt.
He just dropped a folded note in front of Jaden.
Jaden opened it. One line, typed in bold black:
"You don't belong here anymore. Accept it."
Felix turned to walk away.
Jaden called after him. "You're not the top. You're just playing their game better than me."
Felix stopped. Looked back.
"I'm not playing, Carter."
Then he left.
Abby: Silent Again
Jaden checked his phone. Still no new messages.
He typed something. Deleted it.
Tried again.
Jaden:I'm still fighting. Even if it's quiet on your end.
No response.
He stared at the screen for minutes that felt like hours.
She had always been his escape. His grounding.
Now she was part of the silence.
And silence inside Iron Stride?
Could be lethal.