They didn't speak immediately.
They didn't need to.
"…you heard him," Iris said.
"…yes."
"…so what now?"
Silence.
Jared stopped walking.
"…decision required."
"…I don't like that."
"…expected."
He turned to her.
Serious.
Focused.
"…if you stay," he said,
"…risk increases."
Silence.
"…I figured."
"…if you leave…"
A pause.
"…risk decreases."
Silence.
Iris laughed slightly.
"…wow. that's cold."
"…accurate."
"…so you want me to leave."
A pause.
Jared didn't answer immediately.
Because—
For the first time—
There wasn't a perfect solution.
"…no," he said.
Silence.
Iris blinked.
"…what?"
"…you stay."
"…even if it's dangerous?"
"…yes."
"…why?"
A pause.
Longer this time.
"…outcome uncertain," he said.
Silence.
Then—
A small smile.
"…that's your way of saying you don't want me to go, right?"
"…uncertain."
"…you're unbelievable."
"…noted."
But the decision was made.
And once made—
It couldn't be undone.