The sounds of blows, heavy breathing, and sharp impacts echoed through the apartment.
"Left flank."
Conor pivoted—too slow. A crisp strike slammed into his ribs.
"Fix your guard."
A precise jab cracked against his face.
"Your legs."
A clean sweep took him straight to the floor.
Silas didn't correct with words.
He corrected with pain.
"That's enough for today."
He wrapped up his bandages, barely out of breath.
"I'm tajine a shower. Do some shadow boxing, then clean up yourself and we're heading out."
Conor answered automatically:
"Yeah, sure."
As he threw punches into the air, he thought:
Three weeks training together. In the mornings, I can barely keep up with him… but for everything else? Forget it. And yet… living with him feels so normal now. Like we've always shared the same roof.
Silas stepped out of the shower, drying his hair.
"I'm done. Your turn. And get dressed right after."
"Where are we going, Silas?" Conor asked.
Silas replied flatly, not even looking at him:
"Hurry up."
A few minutes later, they were walking through a neighborhood with a rotten reputation.
Silas muttered:
"Pull your neck gaiter up. Put your beanie on. A cap would look suspicious."
Conor obeyed, confused.
"But… where are we?"
"One of their spots."
"Their?"
Silas tilted his head slightly.
"The Osiris."
Conor froze.
"You're insane! There's ten thousand dollars on our head and we casually walk into one of their spots?!"
Silas shot him a sideways glance.
"Shut up. And look."
He handed him a twenty-dollar bill.
"Cross the street. Buy thirty eggs and 1 kg of chicken. When you get back, I want a full analysis of everything you saw. Every movement, every gesture, every look."
Conor crossed the street, nerves tight.
Two guys at the bus stop… three bikes parked near them. Over there, a kid sitting on his motorcycle. On his right, another bike and a man with a backpack. In front of the minimart, three dudes watching everyone… I can feel their eyes on me.
He walked in, made the purchase, stepped back outside, and returned to Silas.
"So?" Silas asked.
"Two at the bus stop, three bikes, a kid on a bike, another guy sitting next to him, and three watching the minimart."
Silas stayed silent for a few seconds, then said:
"Yeah... But you still missed the one I actually wanted you to notice."
Conor frowned.
"What are you talking about?"
Silas lifted his chin toward the street.
"At the bus stop… you didn't notice anything?"
"There were two of them, and three bikes !"
Conor's eyes widened.
Silas continued calmly:
"The third guy, He's there. Second floor of the abandoned building across the street."
Conor stared at him, stunned.
"How did you even know?"
"When you've lived long enough in the shadows, you recognize the ones who hide in them."
Silas went on:
"He wasn't there for nothing. He's watching the area. Probably the one who supplies them. And if things go bad, all he has to do is warn the Osiris before he gets caught."
Conor exhaled, overwhelmed.
He picked all that up so casually…
On the way back home, Silas Said
"That's why you need to learn control," Silas said. "Emotion makes you blind."
Conor listened carefully…
Finally at home, Silas stood up straight, his gaze still cold.
"Marta doing okay?"
The door swung open at that exact moment.
"Heyyy boys!!" she said cheerfully as she stepped in with a bright smile.
Conor stood up, surprised.
"Marta? I didn't know you were coming!"
"I was at school and thought about you guys!" she said with her usual energy. "I couldn't take it anymore—everyone's talking about that bounty. It's not rare to see one, but that price? Crazy."
Conor raised an eyebrow.
"You're in a pretty quiet school though…"
Silas, meanwhile, kept looking outside, hands in his pockets.
"It's very weird, I'll admit."
"What do you mean?" Marta asked.
Silas answered without turning around:
"There's definitely something bigger behind this. It's not just revenge for some injured kid."
He turned to Conor.
"You're sure you only hit him?"
"Yes! I swear, that's all!"
Silas stayed silent for a moment.
"Then… there's something else. Ten thousand dollars isn't a bounty. It's a message."
A heavy silence fell.
Then Silas said calmly:
"We're going to look into Jack."
Marta froze.
"Jack?"
Silas turned his head, eyes sharp as a blade.
"The leader of the Osiris."
Conor stared at him, shocked.
"Wait what ??!! Silas, you're serious?!"
He gave her a sideways look.
"Do I look like I'm joking?"
Silence.
Even the wind outside felt like it stopped.