Chapter 4: Chapter 4: Lina’s Warning
Later that night, Cole sat on the rooftop of their hideout, staring out at the sea of broken buildings and flickering lights that made up the slums. The wind was cold, biting at his skin even through the thick fabric of his coat. He was used to the cold by now. The streets had a way of hardening people.
Lina appeared beside him, silent as ever, and sat down. She didn't say anything for a long time, just stared out at the skyline with him. Finally, she spoke, her voice soft but firm.
"You can't fight him, Cole."
Cole didn't respond. He just kept his eyes on the horizon, watching as the last rays of the sun disappeared behind the distant towers of the city. The city felt like another world entirely, a place where people lived without fear, without the constant threat of violence hanging over their heads.
"We don't have a choice," Cole said finally, his voice quiet. "If we don't fight, he'll take everything."
Lina sighed, her breath visible in the cold night air. "I know. But this isn't just about us. It's about all the people who live here, the ones who don't have anyone to protect them. If we make a move against Crenshaw, we're putting them all in danger."
Cole clenched his fists. He knew she was right, but it didn't make it any easier. Every day that Crenshaw's gang went unchallenged, more people suffered. More people lost everything.
"Then what do we do?" Cole asked, his voice tight with frustration. "Wait until he comes for us? Hope that he'll leave us alone?"
Lina shook her head. "No. But we have to be smart about this. We can't take him on directly. Not yet. We need to find another way."
Cole wanted to argue, wanted to tell her that there was no other way, that violence was the only language Crenshaw understood. But as he looked at her, saw the worry etched into her face, he couldn't bring himself to say it.
"I don't want to lose you," Lina said quietly, her voice barely more than a whisper.
Cole swallowed hard, the weight of her words settling over him like a heavy blanket. He didn't want to lose her either. He didn't want to lose any of them.
But he couldn't shake the feeling that if they didn't do something soon, they'd lose everything anyway.
Weekly Power Status
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Ranking 
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stone