The air was heavy as Jayden emerged from the alley, his fists were still wet with blood, his metallic claws retracting slowly, glinting under the streetlight before fading back into his hands. His breathing was steady, calm, but his eyes were distant, as if a storm was still raging inside him.
Behind him, footsteps rushed closer.
"Jayden!"
Jessica's voice was the first to break through the silence. She and the others… Tasha, Cassandra, and Aileen hurried to his side, circling him with wide, worried eyes.
Jessica reached out, grabbing his arm, but pulled back when she saw the blood smeared across his knuckles. "You're hurt!"
Tasha's voice was soft but sharp, carrying concern. "Jayden, are you okay? You're bleeding."
Cassandra's face was pale, her lips trembling as she studied him. Even Aileen, usually so composed, couldn't hide the way her hands fidgeted. They had just witnessed him face down fifteen men and their leader. The sight of blood on him made it all the more real.
