Once And For All

The burly man staggered back, his hands trembling as he clutched the crowbar like a lifeline. His breathing was shallow, erratic, as though the weight of Ebipade's words had pressed the air from his lungs. His scarred face twisted into a grimace, the earlier bravado draining from his eyes, replaced by something raw—fear. He licked his lips nervously, the metallic taste of desperation heavy on his tongue.

The wiry man was the first to move, his narrow eyes darting between Ebipade and the burly man. His sneer had vanished, replaced by a tight-lipped scowl. His grip on the blade faltered, his fingers twitching as if unsure whether to hold on or let go. The cold night air seemed to seep into his skin, his shoulders trembling faintly despite his best efforts to appear composed. With a sharp inhale, he took a step back, his boots scraping against the asphalt.