The next day, the morning air felt heavy.
Sasha noticed it the moment he opened his eyes that the room was too quiet, the kind of quiet that made his chest feel tight. Rin should have been there already... moving around, complaining about the cold, or teasing Winter awake. But it was empty. Cold.
Sasha sat up slowly, his heart sinking.
Rin didn't come back.
Winter stirred beside him, rubbing his eyes. "Sasha," he said sleepily. "Is Rin awake already?"
Sasha forced a smile that didn't reach his eyes. "He... went out early," he replied.
Winter frowned. "Again?"
"Yes," Sasha said quickly. "You know how he is."
Winter didn't look convinced, but before he could ask more, Sasha stood up and began packing.
"I'm sure he'll meet us at the brothel. For now, we have to focus on leaving."
He folded clothes carefully, his hands moving on their own. Rin's words from the night before echoed in his mind.
'Even if I don't come back, you must leave with Winter. No matter what.'
