Trevor. Say it. Please let go. The service courtyard beyond the door had begun filling with adult students sheltering beneath the awning. Some looked in.
Some slowed. No one entered. Trevor noticed the audience and became bolder. He pulled Nia through the service doorway into the rain. Madison followed filming.
Ryan and Derek came behind them. Ashley came last. The same courtyard. The same polished stone. The same security lights reflecting off wet pavement.
Nia's papers slipped from Trevor's grip and scattered. The scene from 36 hours earlier had arrived. Only now the viewer knew what had led to it. Nia looked toward the awning. A dozen adults watched.
No one moved. Let go of me, Trevor. Madison kept filming. Ryan laughed. Trevor looked toward the witnesses.
Everything's fine. Nobody contradicted him. Then a voice came through the rain. No. Nia's heart stopped. Naomi stood at the far end of the courtyard.
Faded navy EMT pants. Old black jacket. Worn sneakers. Battered bag over one shoulder. Rain darkened her clothes.
Exhaustion marked her face. But her eyes were clear. Nia stared. How did you? Naomi didn't answer.
She had woken to find the apartment empty. Nia's appeal folder gone. The threatening messages still open on the phone back up. She had taken the fastest route she knew. Now she looked at Trevor's hand around her sister's wrist.
Nothing else. Trevor glanced at Naomi and laughed. You serious? Naomi walked forward. Let her go.
Ryan stepped toward her. You should leave. Naomi ignored him. Madison aimed the camera at her. Trevor looked Naomi up and down.
You came all the way here dressed like that. Nia felt anger rise. Naomi did not. Her hands stayed open. Her shoulders loose.
Her gaze measured the whole courtyard once. Ryan. Derek. Madison. Ashley.
Trevor's grip. Distance. Exits. Wet stone. Witnesses.
Then back to Trevor. Let her go. Trevor grinned. Or what? Ashley whispered.
Trevor. He snapped. Stay out of it. Naomi took one step closer. Trevor tightened his grip.
Nia flinched. Naomi's face changed. Not rage. Something colder. Controlled.
Last time. Trevor raised his chin. You don't give orders here. Naomi's voice dropped. You've got three seconds.
Rain hammered the metal awning. Nobody laughed now. Three. Ryan's expression shifted. Two.
Ashley stepped back. Trevor. Let her go. He looked at Naomi. Pride overruled judgment.
He pulled Nia toward him. What happens at one? Naomi said it. One. Ryan moved first.
He stepped in fast, reaching toward Naomi's shoulder. Naomi turned. One short motion. She redirected his arm and let his own momentum carry him past her. Ryan stumbled into the wet railing, shocked more than hurt.
Derek moved next. Naomi shifted between him and Nia, one hand guiding his forearm away as she stepped out of his line. No punch. No kick. No wild movement.
Just balance. Position. Control. Trevor's eyes widened. Naomi reached Nia.
Her hand closed over Trevor's wrist. Not violently. Precisely. She rotated just enough. His fingers opened.