Chapter 199

The walk back felt longer.

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Not because the distance changed.

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But because something had.

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The girl walked behind them at first.

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Not too close.

Not too far.

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Like she understood she wasn’t fully part of it yet.

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Marcus kept glancing back.

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Not hiding it.

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Not trusting it.

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Daniel stayed quiet.

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Unusual for him.

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Leo walked normally—

but his attention was sharper.

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Watching everything.

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And Alex—

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Alex ...