Arthur watched the exchange with the same calm face he always wore. He did not move to strike at the falling men. He kept his cool. He had no taste for finishing someone who had already decided to leave. "Let them go," Arthur said, simple and flat.
Aiden stepped in and nodded. "Yes. Focus is on West High. Not them." He had the kind of voice that made people stop arguing and listen. "We are not ready to fight other crews."
Maya, checking the floor for anyone trying to crawl away, added, "Aiden's right. We don't have the manpower to start war with other groups. West High is the target."
Ryan stood in the middle of it all. He felt the weight of the night pulling at him. He had been the leader by situation, not by choice, but the crew had followed. Now he had to make a decision he could live with. "You all can leave," he told Noah and Oliver and the rest. "Forget what happened here today. Walk away."
