The room was cold.
Not just the air—
Everything about it.
Dim light flickered above.
Walls bare.
No windows.
No way out.
Dre sat tied to the chair.
Hands bound.
Head slightly lowered.
But his eyes—
Still sharp.
Still aware.
The leader stepped in slowly.
No rush.
No noise.
Just presence.
For a few seconds—
Nothing.
Just the two of them.
"You surprised me."
"Yeah?"
"I didn't think you'd hesitate."
Hesitate.
A moment.
Quick.
Sharp.
FLASHBACK
Dre standing outside a small house.
Phone pressed to his ear.
Voice on the other end—
Cold.
Clear.
"You want your brother safe?"
Dre's face tightened.
Because he already knew what was coming.
"Then you do what we tell you."
"…what do you want?"
"Jayden."
⚫ BACK TO PRESENT
Dre looked up slightly.
"You already knew why."
"I wanted to hear you say it."
"They had my brother."
Even the room felt heavier after that.
"You chose him over everything else," the leader said.
"I chose blood."
Hit differently.
"And now?"
Dre exhaled slowly.
"They still got him?"
The leader didn't respond immediately.
"That depends on you."
"Finish what you started…"
A pause.
"…and maybe he walks."
Not fear.
Not panic.
Something colder.
"They lying…"
"You was never gonna let him go."
The leader stepped closer.
"You're learning."
"This was never about your brother."
A pause.
"It was about control."
Because now—
Everything made sense.
Too late.
STUDIO
Music played softly.
Peaceful.
Safe.
Jayden sat across from the producer.
Amara nearby.
"They want you there today," the producer said.
Jayden frowned.
"Today?"
"Told you—they moving fast."
Everything happening too quickly.
"You ready for that?" she asked.
Jayden paused.
"…I don't know."
"But I'm going."
Because this—
Was the way out.
BACK TO DRE
Dre leaned back slightly.
Chair creaking.
"So what now?" he asked.
"Now?"
A small pause.
"Now you help us bring him back…"
"…or you lose everything you were trying to protect."