Chapter 13: The Unexpected Visitor

Asher's eyes seemed to hold a thousand secrets, and October felt herself being drawn into their depths. She took a step forward, her hand reaching out as if to touch his arm, but Ethan's sudden movement caught her attention. He stepped forward, his body blocking her path. "I'm not sure that's a good idea," Ethan said, his voice low and menacing. Asher chuckled, his eyes glinting with amusement. "Oh, I think it's a great idea," he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "We have a lot to discuss, October. And I'm not going to let you hide behind him forever." October's eyes flicked back to Asher's, and she felt a shiver run down her spine. There was something about him that seemed familiar, something that made her feel like she'd known him her entire life. "Who are you?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper. Asher's smile grew wider. "You don't remember me?" he asked, his voice laced with disappointment. October shook her head, feeling a pang of frustration. She knew she should remember him, but her mind was a complete blank. Asher's eyes seemed to cloud over, and for a moment, October thought she saw a flash of pain in their depths. But then, his expression cleared, and he smiled again. "Let me refresh your memory," he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "We grew up together. We were inseparable, until...well, until everything changed." October's eyes widened as she stared at him. Something was stirring in her mind, a memory that refused to surface. Ethan's grip on her arm tightened. "I don't think that's a good idea," he said, his voice firm. But October shook him off, her eyes locked on Asher's. "Wait," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I think I remember." Asher's eyes lit up with excitement. "Really?" he asked, his voice eager. October's mind was racing, memories flooding back. She remembered a boy with a messy mop of hair and a quick smile. A boy who had been her best friend, her confidant. "Asher?" she repeated, her voice filled with wonder. "Asher Blackwood?" Asher's smile grew wider. "The one and only," he said, his eyes crinkling at the corners. October felt like she'd been punched in the gut. She'd thought Asher was just a stranger, but it turned out he was someone from her past, someone she thought she'd left behind forever. Ethan's eyes narrowed. "I don't think this is a good idea," he said, his voice firm. But October just stared at Asher, her mind reeling with questions. What had happened to him? Why had he come back? And what did he want from her now?