[Verse]

By sunrise at Eighth and Rowan,

we were already learning the cost.

Marcus wore noise like a warning,

I read exits, measured the loss.

Two boys raised on what went unsaid.

[Pre-Chorus]

The city watched without a sound,

waiting to see who stayed around.

[Chorus]

They’ll say Marcus burned bright and fast,

call it fearless, call it fate.

They’ll turn one night into a legend,

hang his name on a gate.

But I’m the one still counting the cost,

if death makes myth, what does living cost?

[Verse]

One drive past the rec-center lights,

talked about leaving, didn’t move.

Marcus said, “Man, I’m untouchable,”

I watched the math start to change.

Blue lights idle, watching us choose.

[Pre-Chorus]

Authority watches, then moves,

lets the loud ones take the fall.

[Chorus]

They’ll say Marcus burned bright and fast,

say he stood where he fell.

They won’t say who stepped back in time,

or who read the tells.

But I’m the one still counting the cost,

if death makes myth, what does living cost?

[Bridge]

A camera blinks. A report gets signed.

“Incident closed.” A straightened line.

I chose the breath that didn’t end me.

That choice still visits every night.

[Chorus]

They’ll say Marcus burned bright and fast,

turn his ending into proof.

They’ll clean the story till it shines,

leave out the truth.

But I’m the one still counting the cost,

if death makes myth, what does living cost?

[Outro]

Eighth and Rowan hold the shape,

one name lifted, one erased.

Time decides who pays it longer.