The television flickers in Ray’s condo, replaying Darvon’s speech.
“…and it’s waking up.”

The sound fades as Ray sits cross-legged on the floor, staring at nothing.
“So that’s it?” he mutters. “Something woke up inside me…”

Jade leans against the window, her arms crossed. “What’s wrong?”

Ray exhales, rubbing his temples. “Nothing. Just… a lot’s happened these last few months.”

Jade frowns. “What do you mean?”

Ray’s voice drops, almost distant. “Someone tried to kill me. Soldiers tried to take me in…”

Jade’s eyes widen. “And you’re still here?”

He looks up at her, his tone sharper now. “Mom… tell me. You’re an assassin… aren’t you?”

Jade freezes. The room feels heavier, the air thick. She doesn’t answer immediately — she just looks at her son, realizing he already knows.

“…Come with me,” she finally says.

They step onto the rooftop. The sunset bleeds across the skyline, gold and crimson over the city’s bones.

Ray looks around. “Why are we up here?”

Jade smiles faintly. “Because it’s beautiful up here… and because you deserve the truth.” She turns, the wind catching her hair. “Yes. I’m an assassin.”

Ray doesn’t flinch. He already expected it.

She looks back at the sunset. “So was your father.”

That hits harder. His breath catches. His mind flashes to the man who broke into their home months ago.

“What… happened to him?” Ray asks quietly.

Every family has a grim past that catches up with them eventually…