Cinematic thriller book cover illustration. No photography. Graphic novel style with ink and painterly textures. A teenage boy (16 years old) in close-up foreground, expression desperate and under extreme pressure, looking forward with urgency. Amber and gold color grade. Three suited professional figures in the distant background, small, menacing. Dramatic film noir lighting, strong shadows. Dark near-black background. At the top in small caps: "THE PHALANX BLOOD SERIES · PART FOUR". Large bold red title text in the center: "PAY UP OR FALL BEHIND". At the bottom in white: "BRUCE E. ARRINGTON". No tears. No blood. No crying. Portrait orientation. Absolutely no other text anywhere on the image.

The Phalanx Blood Series · Part Four

Pay Up or Fall Behind — The Phalanx Blood Series Part Four

They took my parents. My parents. And now I’m supposed to what — ask nicely?

Millions. I need millions of dollars. Because apparently that’s what it costs to get your family back from monsters.

This stopped being about survival the second they made it personal. Now I’m coming for all of it.

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