the Mayor would fix this. Maybe he would

he hall, everyone froze. Quiet. C

the Certificate of Valor-for his bravery.

for a second... then whispe

nked. Stupid l

I hear that right?

voice shaking lik

Him? Are yo

t cousin, jumped up, f

a mistake! Cassian... he's... he's not... stable

narrowed. Cold. S

r? Or that our officers are dumb? That we can'

orward, bowing a litt

we didn't me

e patriarch, slammed his big hand on the

operly, shut up! Fool

dark. He stepped b

e Mayor, forcing a

ave a seat. At least.

ved him off.

just give the a

ed at h

it fo

en. Faces twisted. Their perf

miliated... the man they thought wa

red banner with gold letters. The Mayor gave a small

is

the Mayor and the

e outside. Inside... he knew his

nging open. Their smug, cock

whispered. "Could this... lun

nored them.

h, "would you like a ride home? I h

amed acros

t me! He has to

s face dar

mily manners have improved s

red. He spun tow

irl! Haven't you em

fake smile and turn

er rudeness. I will p

idn't even care. Tur

eas

dded. Calm

open. Eyes wide. Fury burned in their chests, but no

d. Guests left quietly, whispe

temple. Face tight with fury. Painkillers made the hurt dull, bu

her father's oldest son, slick i

ng. They can't get away with this. Ardenne... that lunatic.

ps slow, like a pred

y. "Ardenne still works at the company.

flashed bri

"And let her whole family

es peck each other first. Let them fight over the 'madman' son-in-law. They

n a cruel grin spr

m eat each other

ialed. The line clicked,

t's late... eve

ice dripped

my child, spat in our face. By the way, congratulations. Your 'mentally ill' son-in-l

h the line. Someone tried

-calm down...

im off, sha

rdenne and her whole family will kneel at the company gates. Beg for f

mmered, promi

up. Spat.

. Make them bow every day. Th

hing her jaw. Her voice

he best dentist in the city.

ped them at the edge of

grime. Rusted balconies sagged over alleys. The air smelled thick-diesel, rot, wet tras

ady. Cassian followed, coat scraping rusted railings. Heart hea

vergrown and wild. Ardenne dug in her bag, pulled a small ke

ned open. A s

ed inside. Narrow bunk bed. Cardboard box as table. Glass jar of water. A couple battered

the door. Dam

mma moved like it

at tightened.

e, pride. Ardenne and Emma? They'd been living here. A cupboa

coughed violently, choking on iron a

ad

ide fearful eyes, hope tangled with fear. Sh

daddy, right? He'

a vice. He knelt, shaking, re

it's me. I'm you

ords. Just a trembling nod.

of holding in everything poured out now. Real men, the kind who fought wars,

full of hate, cutting through t

here? Haven't we suffere

Gripping a wooden plank like he wanted to bash the world

e plank hig

a

ack. Dust fell. Plaster chipped. Emma s

face. His muscles

Cassian didn't think. He moved f

t out. Hit the man so hard he stum

cold, dangerous. "One step closer...

a