Adrian didn't move.
Not at first.
Leon's words hung in the air like a lingering echo—quiet but thunderous in Adrian's mind.
"Just know that no matter what you do… you won't be able to catch up."
His fists were clenched so tight his nails bit into his palms. His jaw locked. A tremor rolled through his body like a storm waiting to break.
And for a split second…
It looked like he would explode.
But then just as if a switch had been flipped—
He stilled.
His breath evened out. His shoulders loosened. His fists slowly unclenched.
And then—
"Hahahaha."
A laugh.
At first low and sharp, almost bitter.
But then it swelled.
"Hahahahahaha!!"
It was loud, unrestrained and echoed through the mall's broken silence.
Leon stopped walking.
His boots scuffed against the cracked tiles as he turned around, eyes wide with genuine concern. He stared at Adrian like he was a man gone mad.
'Don't tell me I broke him.' Leon thought, bewildered.
"…Are you okay?" he asked cautiously.
