Clinical.
Detached.
Like he’s documenting damage.
“You were eight years old when Sentinel recovered you from the scene.”
Recovered.
Always that word.
Not saved.
Recovered.
Like they’ve never once seen her as human.
Russ’s jaw tightens.
“You recruited children?”
Wu’s expression never changes.
“We protected gifted survivors the government could not safely place.”
Gabriel laughs harshly beside us.
“There it is.”
Wu ignores him.
“Hannah displayed extraordinary neuroadaptive retention.”
I look at Russ.
“What the hell does that mean?”
Gabriel answers quietly.
“It means she remembers patterns faster than normal people.”
Wu nods once.
“Languages. Behavioral prediction. Trauma stabilization. Emotional mapping.”
My stomach twists.
Hannah stares at him in horror.
“I was a child.”
“You were brilliant.”
“That doesn’t make it okay!”
For the first time, real emotion flashes across Wu’s face.
Frustration.
