NEVER NO DOLLAR

Visiting Donna Adwell

Leonidas returned to his apartment in the early morning, looking disheveled and bearing the clear marks of a fight—bruises darkening his skin, a bleeding temple, and dried blood around his nose, all reminders of his struggle with Derek at The Moore club. Despite the extraordinary advantage of his system, Leonidas couldn’t shake the frustration of his defeat, the memory of Derek’s powerlessness against him still stinging.

As his slow, weary steps sounded in the quiet apartment, Alex looked up from the wide sofa, where he was relaxing and watching television. A smile lit up his face when he heard Leonidas enter.

"Leon! You’re finally home!" Alex’s greeting faltered, his expression shifting as he took in Leonidas’ battered face. "Leon, what happened to you?"

Leonidas brushed it off, attempting to divert the conversation. "How was Mrs. Whittaker’s cooking? Did you like it?"

Settling beside Alex, Leonidas listened as Alex’s face brightened. "Yes, she cooked under Nurse Amy’s watch, but it