His uncle's gaze shifted from Sutefu to Marvin, then past them, scanning the streets beyond the house. His eyes lingered there longer than necessary, sharp and alert, as if measuring the danger crawling outside their walls.
Marvin noticed the change immediately.
Without warning, Marvin felt a sudden pressure around his ear.
"Ow—!"
Ceaser grabbed him by the ear and yanked him inside. The door slammed shut behind them with a heavy thud, and the lock clicked into place before Marvin could even regain his balance.
"What were you doing outside in the streets?" Ceaser snapped, his voice low but edged with fury. "Someone could've noticed you."
Marvin winced, rubbing his ear. "Uncle Ceaser… they were trying to beat up this girl. After something happened to her mother. I wasn't just gonna stand on the balcony and watch."
Ceaser held his glare for a moment longer, then let out a tired sigh. The anger in his face softened slightly as he placed a firm hand on Marvin's shoulder.
