The next day,
18:50 PM
Rusty Spoon Diner.
Jayden arrived at the diner still sore from the previous night, but his Lycan healing factor had worked overnight. The worst of the bruises had faded, the cuts had scabbed over, and his ribs no longer screamed with every breath.
Fred was already there, sitting in their usual booth with two cups of coffee waiting.
The EVA captain looked tired—deep circles under his eyes, jaw tight with stress. When Jayden slid into the seat across from him, Fred just stared for a long moment.
"You look like hell," Fred said finally, pushing one of the coffee cups toward Jayden.
"You should see the other twenty-four guys I fought last night," Jayden replied flatly.
