Kael sat on the edge of the bed, his back against the wall. The bandages on his arm were clean. Too clean. The room was quiet. Too quiet.

  From the other room, Cole's voice drifted through the thin walls. Talking about something. Books. Food. The weather. It didn't matter. The guy just kept going.

  'Does this guy have a radio in his stomach? He doesn't stop.'

  Kael's eyes stayed on the door.

  Cole's voice kept going. Something about a bird he saw. The guy had opinions on birds.

  Kael stood slowly, his ribs protesting. He walked to the door and opened it.

  Cole was in the main room, sitting in the same chair, reading the same book. He looked up.

  "Leaving already?"

  Kael ignored the question.

  "Why did you save me?"

  Cole tilted his head.

  "What kind of question is that?"

  "The kind with an answer."

  Cole closed his book. He didn't look offended. Just thoughtful.

  "I had no reason not to."

  Kael stared at him.

  "That's it?"

  "That's it."

  Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

  "You know the Iron Teeth are looking for me. You said it yourself. They're dangerous."

  Cole shrugged.

  "For rats like you? Yeah. But not for me." He tapped his temple. "I'm a rat with a brain."

  "Or maybe an evolved one?" Cole said lightly.

  Kael's jaw tightened.

  "You calling me a rat?"

  "I heard you mutter something about rats before you lost consciousness."

  Kael paused.

  'Huh? Was I mumbling?'

  'Why did I have to say that so loudly, damn it?'

  Kael opened his mouth. Closed it.

  Cole smiled.

  "I'm just a smarter one," he added.

  Kael turned toward the door.

  "I owe you nothing."

  From behind him, Cole's voice came light, casual.

  "You have such a great personality."

  Kael paused. Raised his lip, condescending.

  "Thank you for the compliment."

  He reached for the door handle.

  "You can stay, you know." Cole's tone shifted—not desperate, just honest. "I have space. You look like you need it."

  Kael didn't turn around.

  "I don't need anything from anyone."

  He opened the door.

  "Feel free to come back anytime." Cole's voice rose slightly, not a yell, just louder. "Even though I know you'll be back by night."

  Kael stepped into the gray daylight.

  'Bullshit.'

  ---

  The streets felt different now. Every shadow could be a thug. Every corner could be the giant. Kael moved slow, careful, his body screaming with every step.

  He recognized the area. The filtration plant. The broken warehouse. He was near where Cole found him.

  Cole's place was right there.

  'That guy is crazy. I can't understand how his brain functions.'

  'My hideout. My credits. Years of survival, gone because I couldn't keep my mouth shut about some teeth.'

  'Great job, Kael. Really nailed that one.'

  He kept walking, each step forcing him to think.

  'I have no place to stay now. I shouldn't have rushed out of there, damn it.'

  His ribs throbbed. His arm burned beneath the bandages.

  'But something about that boy felt wrong.'

  'Now what?'

  'I have nothing. No plan. No place. No one.'

  'Should I leave Sector Four?'

  The thought sat there. Heavy.

  He grew up here. Learned every alley. Every blind spot. Every way to survive.

  But survival meant choosing what kept you alive. Not what felt familiar.

  'I'll figure it out. I always do.'

  He kept walking.

  The alley came into view. The place where he lost consciousness.

  He walked a few more steps. Stopped.

  His eyes widened.

  Half the alley was burned.

  Charred brick. Melted metal. Ash where blood should be.

  Kael stood there, silent.

  'What the hell happened here?'

  'Who did this?' he muttered.