Silence followed the fight.
Not peace—
Aftershock.
The attackers were gone.
But not defeated.
"…they retreated," Iris said.
"…temporary," Jared replied.
"…of course it is."
Jared stood still.
Breathing steady.
But his hand—
Slightly shaking.
"…you're injured," Iris said.
"…minor."
"…you're bleeding."
"…irrelevant."
"…IT IS NOT IRRELEVANT."
She grabbed his arm.
Closer.
Too close.
Jared paused.
Processing.
"…distance," he said.
"…NO."
"…protocol—"
"…I DON'T CARE ABOUT YOUR PROTOCOL."
Silence.
She looked at him.
Serious.
"…you're not just a machine, Jared."
A pause.
"…uncertain."
"…I'M SERIOUS."
Jared didn't respond immediately.
Because something—
Didn't calculate.
Emotional interference.
"…we move," he said finally.
"…you're avoiding it."
"…yes."
"…I KNEW IT."
But she followed anyway.
Because now—
Running wasn't an option.