Author's Notice: This chapter is a draft chapter and not the real chapter... I'll edit as soon as possible after I recover from my illness.
***********************************************
Rain ran steady, washing the blood from Daniel's sleeve, though the pain still bit with each step. His ribs burned, his shoulder throbbed, but he kept moving away from the docks. He didn't trust the quiet behind him. He didn't trust the shadows at his side.
The streets bent narrow, lanterns few, the puddles catching light in broken ripples. He listened for echoes—boots behind, a scrape against stone, a breath carried by wind. There was nothing clear. Just the weight of being followed.
He pulled the collar of his coat tighter, lowered his head, and walked with purpose. The river smell clung to him, sharp and cold, reminding him of James's eyes in the lantern glow. He had seen them. Not memory. Not a dream. His brother was alive. And yet, chained to someone's command.
