CHAPTER 18: THE FINAL WITNESS
The gunshot cracked through the mill hall like a whip, echoing off the high concrete ceiling and bouncing between the rusted pillars until it faded into ringing silence.
Silas stumbled back two steps, his gun clattering loudly to the floor, and stared down in stunned disbelief at the dark stain spreading fast across his chest. His knees buckled, and he crumpled slowly to the cold concrete, rolling onto his side, his eyes glazing over as the last breath left him.
Kael stood frozen for a long heartbeat, his own weapon still raised and aimed, his gaze locked entirely on his mother. She stood a few feet away, holding an old, well‑worn revolver in both hands, her arms steady as stone. There was no triumph in her face — only a deep, bone‑weary relief, like she’d
