After what felt like hours, Leon and Nikko finally stepped back, their "inspection" of Elizabeth concluded. She wasted no time pulling an oversized shirt from her inventory, slipping it over her head. Leon's gaze lingered on the fabric a moment longer than it should have. He recognized it instantly. The same shirt she had swiped from his room more than a year ago. He thought of saying something, but let it slide. Instead, he folded his arms and spoke first, voice direct and sharp.
"So, Lizzie… what new power-up did you get?"
The bluntness of his tone made it feel unreal, almost too casual given everything that had just happened. Elizabeth gave him a tired look, her voice heavy with exasperation.
"Leon, this isn't a game world."
"But you did get a power-up, didn't you?" he pressed, unfazed.
That earned him a small, smug smile. "Yes. I did."
Leon leaned forward, impatient. "Then stop keeping us waiting and tell us."
