Kapitel 6: Chapter 6: Breaking Point
The sun barely pierced the thick smog that clung to the slums, casting a dim light over the streets. For Cole, it was just another day in the war they were all fighting, a battle for survival against forces far stronger than any of them. But today felt different. The tension in the air was thick, like the world was holding its breath, waiting for something to snap.
He stood outside their usual spot, an old, abandoned building that had long since been forgotten by the city. Ty and Zack were inside, trying to figure out their next move. Cole had been out for hours, gathering scraps of information, but it was all starting to feel pointless. Crenshaw's grip on the slums was tightening, and they were running out of options.
Lina appeared beside him, her face drawn tight with worry. "You hear about what happened at the docks?"
Cole nodded. "Yeah. Crenshaw's men raided it last night. They're taking control of all the supply lines now."
Lina cursed under her breath. "That's it, then. They're squeezing us out of everything."
Cole's jaw clenched. He didn't say it out loud, but he knew she was right. Crenshaw was choking the life out of the slums, and there was nothing they could do to stop it. They were outnumbered, outgunned, and out of time.
"Zack thinks we should run," Lina said, her voice quieter now. "Get out while we still can."
"Zack's been thinking that for weeks," Cole muttered. "But where would we go? This is all we have."
Lina didn't respond. She didn't need to. They both knew the truth: the streets were their world, for better or worse. And leaving them meant abandoning everything they had fought for.
As if on cue, Zack and Ty came outside, both of them looking as worn down as Cole felt. Zack's dark eyes were hard, his face a mask of cold determination. Ty, on the other hand, still tried to keep up his usual bravado, though the cracks were starting to show.
"Any news?" Zack asked, his voice low and serious.
"Same as yesterday," Cole replied. "Crenshaw's taking over more territory, and no one's doing a damn thing about it."
Ty rubbed the back of his neck, glancing between Cole and Zack. "We can't just sit around, man. We gotta do something."
"We've tried that," Zack said, frustration creeping into his voice. "Every time we push back, they hit us harder. We can't win this fight."
"Then what do you suggest?" Ty shot back. "Running?"
"Maybe," Zack said, his voice sharp. "Maybe it's time we got out before it's too late."
Cole stayed quiet, letting the argument play out. He knew they were all scared, even if none of them wanted to admit it. But the idea of running left a bitter taste in his mouth. They had spent their whole lives fighting to survive here. Running would mean losing everything, giving up on the dream they had clung to for so long.
"We're not running," Cole said finally, his voice firm. "Not yet."
Zack looked at him, frustration flickering in his eyes. "And what are we supposed to do, Cole? Just wait for Crenshaw to come and finish the job?"
"No," Cole said, stepping forward. "We're going to fight. But this time, we do it smart."
Ty and Lina exchanged a glance, uncertainty written all over their faces. Zack crossed his arms, skeptical but waiting for Cole to continue.
"We hit them where it hurts," Cole said. "They're getting cocky, thinking they can take whatever they want. But that means they're not expecting us to fight back."
"And what happens when we piss them off?" Zack asked. "They'll come after us with everything they've got."
Cole's expression didn't change. "Then we make sure they can't."
The weight of his words hung in the air, and for a moment, no one spoke. Lina was the first to break the silence, her voice soft but steady. "You're serious about this, aren't you?"
Cole nodded. "Crenshaw's been bleeding this place dry for years. If we don't take him down, no one will."
Ty exhaled sharply, shaking his head but grinning anyway. "Damn, Cole. You're really gunning for a death wish, huh?"
Zack sighed, rubbing his temples. "This is crazy. But... I'm in."
Lina didn't say anything at first, just looked at Cole with that familiar mixture of worry and trust. Finally, she nodded. "Alright. We'll follow your lead."
Cole felt a small surge of relief. He knew it wouldn't be easy, but for the first time in days, he felt like they had a chance. A slim one, but a chance nonetheless.
"Then we plan," Cole said. "And we make sure we don't miss."
Wöchentlicher Energiestatus
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Rangliste 
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Stein