"We're going to die, aren't we?" Fred's voice came low and grim, a bitter chuckle escaping his pale lips.
He stood behind Tevin and Nero, the weight of dread heavy in his eyes as he gripped his bat with trembling hands.
"Tell me, why should we risk our lives to protect them?" Fred added, gesturing with a sharp nod toward the students.
They ran in a frightened cluster, herded along by Professor David's hoarse commands. Some stumbled in their panic, falling hard on the cracked asphalt, but David was there, one-armed, weary, but still lifting them up, still pushing them forward.
Merek's head turned slowly, his gaze falling on Fred with the weight of cold steel. "Tell me, Fred…" his voice was low. "Why should I risk my life to protect you?" His lips curled in a humorless smirk, his eyes narrowing. "You think that coward's heart of yours will do anything when death is at your doorstep?"
