Aden's eyes locked with the eldest's. The immense hatred that lay behind them didn't perturb him further. He only had one goal in his mind: To finish what he started.
"It's fine. I'll go, but will you leave them here?" he gestured to the two kids behind him.
The eldest remained silent, then clicked his tongue with averted eyes. The outcome was clear if he left. There would be no safety for his younger siblings.
Without hesitation, he nodded. "Take them with you and keep them safe. If there's time left, you can come back for me."
Aden shook his head. "I can manage to take the three of you out of here without issue."
"I insist you take them out first. Ensure their safety. Only then can I follow you."
"If their safety is paramount, then you'd do well to stay with them throughout. After all, the methods I might use in keeping them safe might not be acceptable by you," his voice dropped to a whisper low enough for the eldest to still hear. "Or anyone else for that matter."
