2025-04-29 11:36:56
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Dylan let out a breath he didn’t know he was holding. “Good. Then we rest.”The room stayed quiet. The lamp buzzed, throwing weak light across their tired faces.Vivian put her knife down on the couch cushion. “I’ll take first watch.”Eli shook his head. “No. I’ll do it. You need sleep.”Vivian raised a brow. “Since when do you care?”Eli’s jaw tightened. “I don’t. I just don’t want you nodding off and getting us killed.”Dylan stepped in before the argument could start again. “We’ll split the night. Two hours each. That way no one burns out.”No one argued.Vivian stretched out on the couch, closing her eyes though her grip stayed close to the knife. Eli sat by the table, the shotgun across his lap. Dylan sat down by the wall, watching them both, his mind refusing to rest.The hours dragged. Outside, the city hummed faintly—distant horns, waves hitting the pier, the occasional clang of metal against metal. Every sound made Dylan tense.When Eli finally nudged him awake for his turn a
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The group left the small armory in silence, each of them holding onto their chosen weapon. The night air was cold, biting against their skin as they walked back through the narrow paths of containers. The harbor lights flickered above, casting long shadows that made everything look more dangerous.Dylan walked in front, his pistol tucked at his side, jaw still tight. His thoughts spun faster than he liked. Tomorrow night. Too fast. But if we wait, maybe Marcus is right—the Syndicate will strike first.Vivian broke the silence first. “You two look like someone just told you the world’s ending.”Eli shot her a glare. “That’s because it probably is.”Vivian smirked. “You’re such a ray of sunshine, Eli.”He muttered under his breath. “Better a realist than a fool rushing in with a knife.”Vivian stopped walking and turned sharply, her eyes flashing. “Say that again.”Dylan raised a hand quickly. “Both of you—enough. We don’t have the luxury to fight each other.” His voice was steady, but
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Dylan’s brow furrowed. “Tomorrow night? That’s… fast.”Marcus shrugged. “You want time or you want results? The Syndicate won’t sit around waiting for you to make a plan.”Eli crossed his arms. “Fast means sloppy.”Marcus’s smirk didn’t waver. “Fast means they won’t see it coming.”Vivian glanced at Eli. “He has a point.”Eli shot her a look. “You just like rushing into things.”“And you,” she said, “like overthinking until we’re all dead.”Dylan stepped between them. “Enough. We don’t have to like the plan, but we can’t waste time arguing.”Marcus leaned back against the crate, watching them. “You’re already falling apart. I hope you’re better under pressure.”Dylan’s jaw tightened. “We’ll manage.”Marcus pushed off the crate and started walking toward the pier. “Follow me.”Vivian raised an eyebrow. “Where?”“To get you ready,” Marcus said without looking back. “You can’t walk into Syndicate territory with whatever rusty toys you’ve been carrying around.”Eli’s voice was dry. “And y
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⸻ They ended up in a run-down apartment above a closed shop. Dylan locked the door behind them. Vivian sank onto the couch. “So what now?” “Now,” Dylan said, “we figure out who those people are and why they want Eli.” Eli crossed his arms. “And then?” “Then,” Dylan said, “we end it.” Vivian looked between them. “You really think we can take them down?” Dylan met her eyes. “We have to.” Eli leaned back against the wall. “You’re dragging yourself into something you don’t understand.” “Then explain it,” Dylan said. Eli hesitated. “They’re not just some gang. They’ve got reach. Money. Power.” “Names,” Dylan said. Eli’s eyes darkened. “The Syndicate.” Vivian frowned. “Never heard of them.” “You’re lucky,” Eli said. “But now they’ve seen your faces. You won’t stay lucky for long.” Dylan’s voice was steady. “Then we hit first.” Eli gave a bitter smile. “You’ve changed.” Dylan shook his head. “I’ve just remembered what matters.” Eli studied him for a moment, then nodded slow
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Dylan’s words hung in the air. Eli didn’t look away. His grip on the detonator was loose now, but he still held it.“Go,” Eli said, his voice flat. “Before I change my mind.”Dylan took a step toward him. “Come with us.”Eli’s jaw tightened. “Not yet.”Vivian shook her head. “Eli, staying here—”“I said not yet!” His voice cracked like a whip. Vivian froze.Dylan clenched his fists but didn’t push. “Then I’ll come back.”Eli gave a dry laugh. “You think I’ll wait for you?”“You’ve been waiting this long,” Dylan said. “What’s a little longer?”The scarred man moved closer to Eli. “We’re done here.” His voice was low, dangerous.Dylan stepped in front of Vivian as if to shield her. “Stay out of this.”The scarred man smirked. “Not my call. Orders are orders.”Vivian’s heart thumped hard. “Whose orders?”“Doesn’t matter,” the scarred man said. “Run along before you find out.”Eli’s gaze shifted between them. His breathing was uneven. “Go.”Dylan didn’t want to, but he knew pushing now co
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Dylan’s eyes remained fixed on Eli’s face, tracing every line, every shadow. His gaze was heavy with pain, a raw ache that seemed to reach deep into his soul. But beneath that pain was something more fragile, almost fragile enough to shatter with the slightest pressure: a flicker of hope. It was the hope that somewhere inside Eli, beneath all the anger and bitterness, there was still a part of him that wanted to be saved.He took a slow, deliberate step forward, each movement measured as if he was trying not to startle a wild animal. His voice broke the heavy silence, low but clear, trembling just enough to betray the storm of emotion roiling inside him.“Eli,” he said softly, voice barely above a whisper yet carrying through the thick, tense air. “Please… this isn’t who you are. We don’t have to end it like this. We can fix it — together. You’re not alone. Not anymore.”Eli’s hand tightened on the detonator in a grip that made his knuckles go white, the thumb hovering dangerously ove
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