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Everyone stared in silence. Carlos's sudden shout still hung in the air, raw and echoing. The wind shifted across the barren wasteland, scattering black ash that fell from the sky like snow. Their eyes moved between Carlos's trembling form and the calm, dark figure before him — Jack.
Was this man truly the devil Carlos spoke of? He didn't look like one. His expression was composed, his stance casual, even elegant in its confidence. There was something unnerving in that calm.
"Carlos?" Claire asked carefully, her weapon half-raised, uncertain if she should believe him or not.
Before Carlos could speak, Teri stepped forward quickly. "No! Jack isn't a devil. He's a good person. He saved us! This is just... a misunderstanding." Her voice trembled, but there was conviction in her eyes.
Carlos gave a sharp, bitter laugh, still aiming his gun. "Saved us? I'll never acknowledge being rescued by him. Without him, we could've escaped on our own. Don't tell me we owe him anything."
"Carlos, how can you say that?" Teri's voice rose. "If not for Jack, you'd already be dead! He protected you, even when you were too stubborn to see it."
Claire's gaze flicked toward Jill, who was still holding Alice, her expression troubled. "Who are you? And what was that... the fire earlier — that explosion in the sky?"
Jill adjusted her grip on the unconscious Alice and said quietly, her tone sharp with unease, "I'm Jill. She's Alice. As for that flame... who knows?"
Claire frowned. "Jill, Alice, and... Jack. You and Carlos know each other?"
Jill gave a faint, knowing smile. "We escaped together."
Carlos's jaw tightened. "Except him." He spat the words like poison, glaring at Jack.
Jack only shrugged, his voice smooth and almost amused. "Carlos, do you realize how easy it is for a man who talks too much to become a target?"
Carlos's lips parted — a retort half-formed — but he never finished it.
PĀ!
The sound cracked like thunder. Carlos's body flew backward, lifted clean off his feet as though struck by an invisible hammer. He hit the ground several meters away, sliding across the sand, coughing violently.
Everyone froze. The shock of what they had just seen rooted them in place.
Jack stood exactly where he had been, lowering his hand slowly. "A fool who doesn't know fear is dangerous," he said calmly. "But a fool who doesn't know his limits... is worse."
The words hung in the air like smoke.
Claire and the soldiers around her stared, stunned. What they had just witnessed — that speed, that strength — it wasn't human. Teleportation? No one could even see him move.
Claire's instincts kicked in. She steadied her weapon, pointing it straight at him. "What was that? What kind of sorcery is this?"
Jack tilted his head slightly and gave a faint, crooked smile. "Sorcery? I like that name. Sounds mysterious."
Carlos staggered to his feet, clutching his burning cheek. His voice cracked with rage. "Everyone, fire! Kill him! We can't let him live!"
"Don't!" Teri's voice rang out desperately.
Jill stepped closer, shaking her head. "Carlos, before you shoot, think. Can you really kill him? If you can't... your words mean nothing. Don't let anger make you stupid."
Her tone cut through the tension. Claire hesitated, finger hovering over the trigger. What she'd seen from Jack moments ago — it was beyond her understanding. Charging in blindly could mean death for everyone.
Carlos clenched his jaw but lowered his gun slightly.
Jack exhaled softly, his tone faintly regretful. "You made the right choice. Otherwise... too many would've died."
His voice was neither boastful nor mocking — simply matter-of-fact. As if he were stating the weather.
Teri let out a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding. The last thing she wanted was for Jack and Claire's group to turn on each other. They had been through too much. And yet, she knew deep down — if a fight truly broke out — she would side with Jack without hesitation.
Carlos, still shaking with frustration, spat, "Jack, give us Alice. Then we'll leave you alone. We don't need to cross paths again."
Jack ignored him completely. His gaze settled on Claire. "Claire. Can I join your convoy?"
Her eyes narrowed. "You're a dangerous man. Unknown origin, unpredictable abilities. And you think I'll just let you in?"
Jack's grin widened slightly — the kind of smile that revealed no warmth, only confidence. "I think we'll meet again."
"Why?" Claire's tone held a trace of mockery.
Jack took a slow step toward her. The air around him seemed to tighten. The soldiers behind her raised their weapons instinctively, their nerves stretched taut.
"Why?" Jack repeated softly, stopping just in front of her. His shadow overlapped hers, his voice low but edged with amusement. "Because my fists are bigger."
Claire's brow furrowed, but she didn't back down. "You're threatening me."
"Not a threat," Jack replied. "Just a fact."
The silence that followed was heavy. Even the wind seemed to pause.
Then Claire broke it, her tone carefully measured. "I want to know about that fire earlier. Was it artificial? Was it you? Or someone else?"
Jack turned slightly, glancing at the unconscious Alice resting in Jill's arms. "It wasn't me. It was Alice. There's power in her — something beyond human."
Claire's expression shifted, a flicker of curiosity replacing her suspicion. "Power beyond human? Interesting." She paused, then extended her hand. "In that case, Jack... I'll allow you to join us. For now."
Jack's grin returned, sharp and knowing. He clasped her hand firmly. "I'm truly delighted."
Claire pulled back after a moment, frowning. "You can let go now."
"Apologies. Got a little excited." Jack didn't look remotely apologetic.
"Claire, I don't agree!" Carlos barked from behind her.
Claire didn't turn around. "This convoy is mine. You came with me. I make the calls. Now come — I've got questions for you."
Carlos hesitated, then followed, still glaring daggers at Jack.
Teri's face brightened, her earlier tension easing. "Jack, this is great! We're all together again."
Jill folded her arms, her tone dry and tinged with jealousy. "Yes, wonderful. So many beautiful people here... I'm sure someone will enjoy the company."
"Jill—" Teri turned, surprised. "It's you! You're alive!"
Jill gave her a long, expressionless stare. "You just noticed?"
Teri flushed, looking embarrassed. "I— um, earlier I..."
"I understand. You only had eyes for someone else," Jill muttered, shaking her head. She couldn't quite explain the hostility she felt toward Teri — but it was there, persistent and sharp. Maybe it wasn't about Jack. Maybe it was something deeper, unspoken.
Teri ducked her head, her voice small. "I'm really sorry. And... this is Alice, right? How is she?"
Jill glanced at the unconscious woman. "She's just out cold. Needs rest. She'll be fine."
Teri smiled faintly. "Good. Then at least we're all together again."
Her voice wavered, though, and her eyes dimmed. "But... I miss Angela."
Jill's expression hardened. "Angela...?"
Teri nodded, her voice dropping to a whisper. "She's gone. She died."
For a long moment, no one spoke. The desert wind blew softly, carrying with it the ashes of crows and memories of fire.
Jack exhaled slowly. "Life is unpredictable. One moment you're here, the next... you're not." His tone was detached, almost cold. "A pity."
No one answered.
The group began to move again, the sound of boots crunching on sand filling the empty space. Above them, the sky stretched vast and gray, as if the world itself were holding its breath.
And in the shadows behind them, Jack's eyes glinted — calm, calculating, unreadable.