In the heart of the sprawling metropolis, a stark contrast to the serene tranquility of Noah and Lilith's shared haven, a group of five men huddled in a dimly lit alleyway. The air was thick with the stench of cheap wine and unwashed bodies, a pungent aroma that clung to the grimy brick walls like a second skin.
Their faces, etched with the harsh lines of a life lived on the fringes of society, were a testament to the relentless grind of survival. The leader, a burly man with a scar that ran from his temple to his chin, was the focus of the group's attention. His voice, rough and gravelly, carried the weight of unspoken authority.
"The job's a risk, no doubt," he was saying, his voice low and measured, "but the reward is worth it. Enough to set us up for life, boys. We just gotta be smart about it."
