After the meeting in the office, the boys were led to the training facility. They were dressed in sweatpants and tank tops, the heat from their bodies starting to rise as they prepared for the day's grueling training session.
But Ezrik's mind wasn't on the exercises or the sweat that was already beginning to dampen his skin. It lingered on his father's words, the guilt of Isaak's fate, and the consequences of his own choices. He hadn't been able to save his friend, and now that burden was heavier than any physical weight.
He drank down the water in his bottle stiffly, the cool liquid doing little to quench the fire burning in his chest. He glanced over at Quinn, who was effortlessly pulling off a handstand, laughing lightly as he did so.
"Show-off," Ezrik muttered to himself.
