ild, filled with a terrifying mix of fear and determina

ainst the metal wall of the container. The gun clattered to the floor. We gra

For a split second, I saw Wendy' s face, twisted in betrayal

I di

at Ryan. He was the monster. He w

d the t

ic

han any gunshot. Ryan' s smile widened. It

old, methodical cruelty. He took a s

t?" he said, his voice lo

his boot. The blade g

' m a man of my word. You ratted her out. You get t

he knife

as no hesitation in her eyes. Only a desperate

yes, bracing

erything

g, kicked in from the outside. Light flooded the

ac

ller bleeding on the floor, Wendy reaching for the knife,

to the small, metallic objec

With my initials

hich had been a mask of cold authority,

" he roared, his voi

across the face, sending him stumbling backward.

Deacon commanded, gesturing t

ury and something else... regret. He gently exami

ice softer now. "It' s yo