The room was quiet now, save for the faint groans of Riley's fallen crew. The girl clung to Daniel's arm, still shaken but relieved.
Riley sat slumped against the wall, wiping blood from his mouth. He knew resistance was pointless now. Jalen stood over him, calm but unreadable.
"You're going to tell us how to contact Hostel," Jalen said simply.
Riley chuckled bitterly, the sound more like a cough. "Why? You looking to join them?"
"Something like that," Daniel said. "We're going to end this."
Riley looked up, gauging the fire in their eyes. He hesitated, then slowly reached into his jacket and pulled out a cracked phone. With trembling fingers, he tossed it toward them.
"Use my phone," he muttered. "There's a contact labeled 'Hostel Line.' You send them a message starting with 'FR.' That stands for Family Recommendation. It lets them know someone already on the inside is vouching for you."
Daniel caught the phone and glanced at Jalen.
"You sure they'll respond?" Jalen asked, folding his arms.
"They always respond," Riley said grimly. "They screen every message. They'll want to see you in person."
Jalen looked at the phone for a moment, then pocketed it. "Good. Let them see us."
Daniel turned to help the girl out of the room, and Jalen lingered for just a second.
"You ever think about trying to do something different with your life?" he asked Riley calmly.
Riley didn't answer.
He just looked away. Quiet. Defeated.
As Daniel and Jalen left the apartment, the evening wind brushed against their faces. The war with Hostel wasn't waiting anymore. It had already begun.