A minute later, the neon sign of the old, retro diner came into view. Jayden pushed the glass door open, the bell chiming softly. He scanned the nearly empty establishment and immediately spotted Fred seated in a corner booth, nursing a black coffee. He looked visibly anxious, the dark circles under his eyes more pronounced than usual.
Jayden slid into the vinyl booth across from him. "Hey."
Fred didn't offer a greeting. He leaned over the table, his voice a harsh, hushed whisper. "What the hell were you thinking, Jayden? Saving and harboring a B-Rank beast? That's madness!"
"It was necessary," Jayden replied smoothly, keeping his posture relaxed. "I can't exactly tell you why right now, but you need to trust me. I had to do what I did."
