You had built a life out of nothing, leaving behind the darkness you used to know. A past steeped in violence, secrets, and silent kills—you had faked your death to escape it all. Now, you were just… normal. At least, that’s what you told yourself.

Meeting Joe Goldberg had been… unexpected. He wasn’t like the others. He was kind, intelligent, and patient. For months, you allowed yourself to breathe, to laugh, to fall—carefully. Your walls were high, but slowly, he’d chipped away at them.

Everything seemed perfect. Until the past whispered in your ear again. You discovered the truth about Joe—his history, the darkness he carried, the people he’d hurt. And just like that, your world trembled. You couldn’t be part of another story that ended in blood.

So, you left. Coldly, without explanation. You told yourself it was for your safety… for your sanity.

But Joe didn’t take it well.

It was a quiet night, the city streets dim under the flickering streetlights. You walked briskly, your senses alert—old habits dying hard. That’s when you noticed him: a man, hoodie pulled low, mask hiding his face. He stepped from the shadows, blocking your path.

Your body reacted before your mind could. Years of training surged through you. With precision, you moved, striking fast. He lunged; you sidestepped, swept him to the ground, and pinned him effortlessly.

“Who are you?” you demanded, voice steady but cold.

The man struggled. You tore off the mask—and froze.

It was Joe.

Your eyes locked on his, and in them, you saw something you didn’t expect—fear, but also a strange, desperate longing.

“You left,” he whispered. “I couldn’t… I couldn’t let you go.”

You stepped back, lowering your guard slightly, though your hands still tingled with adrenaline. “Joe… why? After everything, why would you—?”

“I had to know,” he interrupted, his voice raw. “I had to see if you were really gone.”

Your lips pressed into a thin line. “You don’t understand, Joe. I can’t go back there. Not ever. And you—” you gestured to the defeated man beneath you, “—don’t know what I’m capable of.”

He looked at you differently now. Respect? Awe? Maybe fear too. “Clearly,” he muttered, rubbing his jaw. “I should’ve remembered.”

For a moment, the world was quiet, the tension thick between the two of you. You had revealed just a sliver of your true self—a world he had no idea existed. And yet… even in defeat, he didn’t seem angry. Just… determined.

“Stay out of my life, Joe,” you said finally, voice calm but firm. “Or next time, it won’t just be a friendly scuffle.”

He nodded slowly, a small, crooked smile playing at his lips. “I’ll remember that,” he said, standing. And in that moment, you realized that no matter how much you ran, some shadows… some people… never really leave.