No one said a word. They all followed Evan into the helicopter, one by one, casting one last glance over their shoulders at the man who chose to remain behind.
As the helicopter's blades began to spin, lifting them back into the sky, Evan stared down at Jonathan standing tall among the ruins, a lone figure of resistance against the encroaching night.
He brought a hand to his chest and whispered, barely audible over the hum of the rotors.
"Stay safe… and deliver your hometown from this madness."
Evan gave Jonathan a small nod, the kind that carried weight no words could express. Then, without another word, he turned toward the helicopter—but every step he took felt heavier than the last.