The explosion hit before dawn. It didn’t sound like thunder. It sounded like the city was breaking.Kendrick was halfway through a briefing when the floor shuddered. Screens flickered. An alarm screamed. Then Zara burst into the room, her face drained of color.“It’s the logistics hub,” she said. “South port.”Kendrick was already moving.“Are there any casualties?”She swallowed. “A lot.”By the time they arrived, the air was thick with smoke and dust. Sirens wailed from every direction. The building that had once moved medicine, food, and equipment for half the city was now a torn skeleton of steel and fire.Kendrick stepped out of the car and froze.Bodies, bodies, bodies. That's the only thing he could see. Bodies were everywhere. Workers he knew by name. Men who had joked with him during inspections. Women who had waved at him when he passed through late at night. Some were covered with tarps. Others hadn’t been reached yet.“No…” His voice cracked before he could stop it.Adrian

The explosion hit before dawn. It didn’t sound like thunder. It sounded like the city was breaking.Kendrick was halfway through a briefing when the floor shuddered. Screens flickered. An alarm screamed. Then Zara burst into the room, her face drained of color.“It’s the logistics hub,” she said. “South port.”Kendrick was already moving.“Are there any casualties?”She swallowed. “A lot.”By the time they arrived, the air was thick with smoke and dust. Sirens wailed from every direction. The building that had once moved medicine, food, and equipment for half the city was now a torn skeleton of steel and fire.Kendrick stepped out of the car and froze.Bodies, bodies, bodies. That's the only thing he could see. Bodies were everywhere. Workers he knew by name. Men who had joked with him during inspections. Women who had waved at him when he passed through late at night. Some were covered with tarps. Others hadn’t been reached yet.“No…” His voice cracked before he could stop it.Adrian

Is anything the matter sir? Where are we going?” Kendrick asked the officer, following him as he went.“You have a visitor. Come on,”Kendrick paused.“Um… sir, can you tell whoever has come that I'm not available and that they should leave?”“Come on Hale. Come out and meet the person. They have been coming to see you for two months and you have decided not to see anyone. This person has said that she wouldn't leave till she sees you. So wear your big man pants and come out. It's your choice.”Zara waited for Kendrick to come but there was a delay.“So, he won't see me today as well. That brat.” She sighed, standing up when the door opened. She turned to see Kendrick. “So you finally decided to show up. How can you be so inconsiderate? And what happened to your face? Did you get into a fight?” she said, trying to touch Kendrick's cheek but he removed his face.“It’s nothing and I'm sorry, I just needed to be alone for a moment. Why have you come to see me? Don't you have a boyfriend?

The luncheon was held in a private garden overlooking the city. White canopies, polished silver, soft music. CEOs, politicians, foundation heads. People who smiled with their mouths and measured with their eyes. Bernard moved among them like he belonged everywhere.“Bernard,” a senator said, shaking his hand. “Tough situation with your nephew.”Bernard sighed, just enough. “Family tragedies hurt the most, don't they?.”“And yet,” the senator added carefully, “you’ve been remarkably steady.”Bernard met his gaze. “When chaos rises, someone has to stand still; if not, it will all collapse.”The senator nodded, impressed.“Bernard Hale, the man with the brains. It's good to see you here.” A man joined them.“If you'll excuse me Hale, Mr Mitchell,” the senator said, leaving the two men alone.“I can see how happy you are my friend,” Mr Mitchell said, making Bernard smile.“Of course my friend. Why wouldn't I be happy? You know how long I've always wanted this,”“Absolutely. It is somethin

He refused to let this place take anything more from him, not even dignity.The gate buzzed. Metal scraped against metal. Then, for the first time in half a year, the doors opened outward instead of closing behind him.He stepped outside. The sunlight hit him so suddenly he stopped walking. It wasn’t just bright, it was alive, warm, and he loved the feel of it on his face. He squinted, lifting his hand as if touching the light might make it vanish. For a moment, he simply stood there, breathing, letting the sun rest on his face like a quiet Apology.“I forgot,” he murmured to himself. “This is what it feels like.”The sun in prison had always been filtered through bars, through wire, through schedules and permission. This was different. This sun belonged to no one.“Kendrick.” He turned.Zara stood a few steps away, leaning against a dark sedan. Her hair was pulled back, her face thinner than he remembered, but her eyes, those hadn’t changed. They softened the moment they met him.F