Eastern District, Enemy Warehouse – 10:21 PM
The moon rose behind the shattered skyline. Noah stood outside the smuggler's warehouse, Silas beside him in a sleek black coat, gloves already soaked in gasoline.
Behind them, Lucien leaned against a truck, silent, watching the dark glint in Noah's eyes with a kind of admiration.
Noah spoke coldly. "You don't burn what belongs to me and live to breathe the next day."
Silas handed him the matchbox. "I loaded all of Xander's chemical shipments. Every bottle. Every dollar."
Noah struck the match.
"This is just the beginning."
He tossed it in.
The building exploded with roaring fire, lighting up the sky.
Inside, crates of narcotics and explosives turned to ash.
Lucien tilted his head. "You're getting better at vengeance."
Noah smiled without warmth. "That was just the appetizer."
Abandoned Prison Basement – 2:14 AM
Xander Kolt, bloodied and barely breathing, hung from a steel hook.
Noah circled him slowly, gloves clean, smile tight.
"See, I should've killed you cleanly," Noah whispered. "But then I remembered—you aimed for his heart."
Xander coughed. "You're crazy."
Noah laughed. "Only when you touch what's mine."
He snapped his fingers.
Silas approached with a silver scalpel.
Xander's scream echoed.
Lucien watched, silent.
And Sam… wasn't there.
Vincent Manor – Max's Bedroom – 2:30 AM
The flames had faded. The screams were distant. But Sam was still there, seated beside Max's bed, watching his sleeping face.
He gently dabbed a cool cloth to Max's forehead.
"Why do I feel like I'm losing all of you?" Sam whispered into the quiet.
Max stirred slightly. "You're not."
Sam froze.
"You're not losing me, Sam," Max said, eyes barely open. "But you're the one pulling away."
Sam looked down. "I'm scared"Of what?"
> "That when the truth comes out… none of you will look at me the same."
Max reached for his hand.
"You don't have to be perfect, Sam. Just don't shut me out."
Something bloomed in Sam's chest.
A warmth. A pain. A longing.
He leaned down and rested his forehead against Max's hand.
> "I'm trying… I really am."