Chapter Twenty Four: Aftermath
The echo of the gunshot slowly faded into the empty night. For a moment, the entire industrial district felt frozen. The wrecked SUV sat crooked against the rail crossing barrier, steam rising faintly from the damaged engine. Marcus lowered the rifle slowly. Smoke drifted from the barrel. Across the road, Malik stood still, staring at the vehicle. Darius stepped out from behind the concrete barrier and looked toward Marcus. “You hit him,” Darius said quietly. Marcus didn’t respond. His eyes were locked on the SUV. After a few seconds, he began walking toward it. Darius followed. Malik hesitated for only a moment before moving after them. The three men approached the damaged vehicle cautiously. Glass crunched beneath their shoes. The driver had slumped forward over the steeri
- Writer
