Ch 308: Is it Betrayal? - Part 1

Kyle stood in the cold, dimly lit prison chamber, his arms crossed as he stared down at Christan. 

The young man was a mess—sweating, trembling, back pressed so firmly against the stone wall that it seemed like he was trying to disappear into it. 

His eyes darted between Kyle and the flickering torches, wide with desperation.

"I didn't do anything wrong. Someone's tricking me! You have to believe me, Kyle!"

Christan insisted for the fifth time, his voice cracking under the weight of panic. 

Kyle's expression didn't shift. Calm, unreadable, sharp. He spoke with the same measured tone that could lull or terrify depending on who was listening. 

"You're speaking too fast. Calm down."

Christan blinked. 

"Calm down? You think I can—" 

He stopped himself mid-sentence, realization dawning in his eyes. The way Kyle was standing. The way he hadn't blinked once since entering.