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Shouting.
Branches snapping.
Ace’s arm is around me, pulling, guiding, shielding—
But I don’t freeze.
Not this time.
I see Daniel.
The way he moves.
Erratic.
Desperate.
Focused on me.
That’s his weakness.
And for the first time—
I understand it.
“Ace,” I say, grabbing his arm.
“I need two seconds.”
He looks at me like I’ve lost my mind.
“No—”
“Trust me.”
A beat.
Just one.
Then—
He nods.
Barely.
But it’s enough.
Ace
I don’t like it.
Not even a little.
But I trust her.
So I move.
I shift left, drawing Daniel’s attention.
