I reached for the door.
"…I can change it."
Knock.
The sound came again. Louder this time.
"Oi! Open up!"
My hand froze on the handle.
That voice…
I knew it.
Slowly, I opened the door.
Mal stood there, arms crossed, eyes full of irritation.
"You're late," he said. "Get moving. You've got work to do."
I stared at him.
"…You."
He frowned. "What about me?"
Images flashed in my head.
Being dragged.Being yelled at.Falling in the dirt while he laughed.
My chest tightened.
This already happened.
"…No," I muttered.
"What was that?" he snapped.
I didn't answer.
Last time… I stayed quiet.Last time… I followed him.Last time… it ended the same way.
My fist clenched.
The faint pressure around me returned… stronger now.
"…Not this time."
Mal stepped forward, grabbing my arm.
"Don't ignore me, boy. Move."
For a second… I almost let it happen again.
Then—
I pulled my arm back.
His grip slipped.
He blinked, surprised.
"…What?"
I stepped back, steady this time.
"I'm not going."
Silence.
Then he laughed.
"You think you have a choice?"
The air around me shifted slightly… like it was reacting.
My heart pounded.
Fear… anger… something else.
But I didn't look away.
"…Try me."