Earned Not Given

Vaughn nodded.

"Yes, it's true," he replied.

Holden took a deep breath. "So this announcement... You're not just trying to spook him, right?"

Vaughn pulled out a chair next to Holden's bed and sat down.

"No. This is for real," Vaughn said, his tone calm but resolute.

Holden studied Vaughn's face for a moment, then let out a quiet "tsk." 'So it really is serious, huh?' he thought, feeling a bit hel