Donald Smith

The middle-aged man—Donald—slowly lifted his head.

His expression?

Blank.

No denial. No excuse.

Just the quiet acceptance of a man caught at the end of his rope.

Adam took a slow step forward, his face contorting between disbelief and fury.

"You—" His voice came out strained, barely above a whisper, like the words fought against his throat.

"You were my comrade."

A statement. A fact.

And yet, at this moment, it sounded like an accusation.

Donald's lips twitched, but whether it was an attempt at a smirk or a grimace—it was unclear.

"Things change," he muttered.

His voice—once trusted—was now engulfed with something foreign.

Something dead.

Adam took another step forward. His hands clenched at his sides.

"All these years…"

His voice dropped lower, darker.

"You were one of us."

Donald chuckled bitterly. "Was I?"

Adam stopped.