Silas slumped onto the ground and dragged his bag into his lap. His hands trembled as he hugged it to his chest like something precious.
Nearby, Lucien knelt beside Adrian, who lay unconscious and bleeding, and shook him desperately.
"Adrian! Adrian! No! Wake up!"
Lucien's voice cracked as panic surged through him. He turned toward the strangers, his whole body shaking.
"Who are you? Why would you do this, why would you—" his words cut off, his breath hitched.
"It's not my fault. He startled me," the man with the gun said with a mocking laugh.
His long, oily hair hung around his face, and he clutched the weapon as if performing.
"I was scared he'd attack me," he added, feigning fear before breaking into cruel laughter.
"You… you," Lucien shouted, his words trembling with rage and terror. "If my dad finds out, you are dead!"
