Chapter 8 - The Aftermath
The city exploded. Not in fire, but in outrage. The project was frozen, the developer was placed under arrest, and the district—Leo’s district—was granted emergency protection status as a heritage site.
But there was a cost.
Maya’s father had caught a glimpse of Leo in the crowd. He knew.
Leo returned to the tunnels, knowing he had to leave. He had done his part; the shadows were no longer a refuge, but a target. He packed his small bag, leaving the lantern for Silas.
"You’re leaving, then," Silas said, not looking up from his book.
"The work is done."
"The work is never done, boy. You just changed the scenery."
May you like
Leo climbed out of the sewers one last time, meeting Maya at the edge of the cathedral garden. She was crying.
"I can't go with you," she said, pressing a small envelope into his hand. "But I saved enough. You have a chance to go somewhere where they don't know your name."
