A Lead

The quiet moment between them lingered, the crackling of the fire filling the silence. Asher's mind swirled with plans, doubts, and the faintest glimmers of hope. He held the Judge's gaze for a moment longer before standing, his wineglass forgotten on the side table.

"I should check on the boy," he said, his tone thoughtful.

The Judge raised an eyebrow. "It's late. He's likely still resting."

"Perhaps," Asher replied, pacing toward the window and glancing out into the moonlit courtyard. "But I can't stop thinking about him. There's something about his appearance—about what happened in that alley—that I can't let go."

The Judge stood as well, crossing her arms as she approached him. "You have a tendency to carry the weight of everyone's struggles, Asher. But that boy's survival is already proof of your care. Rest assured, he's safe now."