A Contract Written in Blood
Then, softer— "And we're not letting that happen."
Mia nodded beside her, a quiet but firm agreement.
Even the others shifted subtly, their silence speaking louder than any words.
Leon looked at them again.
Not as a group this time—but as individuals.
People who had chosen to stand there.
With him.
Against him.
For him.
His hand twitched slightly at his side, like he wanted to say something more—but nothing came.
Or maybe… nothing he was willing to say.
A faint breath escaped Johny.
"…At least they're honest."
Leon nodded slowly. Not in agreement alone—but in acknowledgment, like he had already weighed something far heavier than their words.
"Yes."
The word came quiet. Certain.
A pause followed, stretching just long enough to make a few of them shift where they stood.
"And that's exactly why…"
He didn't finish immediately.
