The calendar on the garage office wall said January 1st.
Adam sat at his desk, a cup of cold coffee in his hand, staring at the date. A new year. A fresh start. The words felt hollow. Every year he told himself things would be different. Every year, Blackhaven found a way to pull him back in.
But this year felt different. The quiet had lasted. Katya was gone. The gangs were lying low. The foundation was thriving.
Maybe, just maybe, the war was over.
Sandra walked in, wrapped in a heavy coat.
“You've been here since midnight.”
“I couldn't sleep.”
“You never can.”
She sat on the edge of the desk. “What are you thinking about?”
“The future. What comes next.”
“You've spent years fighting the past. Maybe it's time to let it go.”
“I don't know how.”
“You start by trying.”
---
Marcu
