Clay catches me before I collapse sideways.
“I’ve got you.”
Always him.
Always steady.
I grip his arm hard enough to hurt.
“I remember her.”
Wu watches me carefully.
Clinical fascination burning behind his eyes now.
“You exceeded every projection.”
I look at him.
Really look at him.
And suddenly the fear starts changing shape.
Because for the first time—
I see what he truly is.
Not a protector.
Not a mentor.
A scientist.
One who learned how to wear kindness like a mask.
“You hurt children,” I whisper.
Wu’s voice stays calm.
“We saved children the world had already discarded.”
“No.” My voice shakes harder now. “You kept the broken ones because broken things were easier to control.”
Something flickers in his eyes then.
Not guilt.
Annoyance.
Because I finally said the truth out loud.
Avery smiles weakly through blood.
“There she is.”
Wu takes one slow step forward.
“Come with me willingly, Hannah, and I can stabilize the reintegration process before permanent damage occurs.”
