Hannah’s eyes burn now.
“How many are there?”
No answer.
“How many children are still inside Sentinel?”
Silence.
Then Avery whispers behind her—
“Forty-three.”
Every person in that tunnel freezes.
Forty-three.
Forty-three children.
Dear God.
Russ slowly lowers his weapon.
Not in surrender.
In disbelief.
Gabriel mutters a curse under his breath.
Lucas looks sick.
Miles grips the little girl tighter protectively.
And Hannah?
Hannah goes completely still.
Like the weight of that number just settled onto her shoulders.
Wu’s voice stays calm.
“They are protected.”
Avery laughs weakly from the floor.
“There it is again.”
Hannah looks at Wu with absolute horror.
“You’re still doing this.”
“We are preserving exceptional minds.”
“You’re torturing children!”
“We are preparing them for survival.”
Hannah shakes her head slowly.
