The click echoed like thunder in the dark.
Aria screamed, her hands flying to her ears, waiting for the shot. But no bullet came. Only silence. Thick. Crushing. Her chest rose and fell too fast, too hard, like she was drowning in air.
Then, light. A faint flicker, the lamp buzzing back alive, dim and broken. The room glowed weak, shadows stretching like monsters on the wall.
Sebastian still stood. Alive. Smiling. The stranger's gun still aimed at his chest, finger curled on the trigger. But no bullet.
Sebastian's laughter filled the room. Low. Cold. Sharp. "Did you think it would be that easy? Did you think killing me was as simple as pulling a trigger? Fool."
The stranger's jaw tightened. His gun didn't move. His voice was steady, cold. "Not easy. Just necessary."
Aria's knees shook. She pressed against the wall, her hands trembling. Her head spun, her stomach tight, her chest aching. She wanted to close her eyes, to wake up, to escape. But she couldn't.
