Trust.
Gabriel suddenly coughs hard behind us.
Reality crashes back instantly.
Right.
We are still soaked, bleeding, hunted fugitives lying beside a river while an underground government nightmare tries to bury us alive.
Russ rises first, scanning the dark streets above the embankment.
“We need to move.”
Unfortunately true.
Lucas checks his weapon while Miles tries to wrap the little girl in a thermal blanket from his emergency pack.
Nora sits beside Eli beneath the bridge overhang, both of them looking shell-shocked.
Like they still can’t fully process having names again.
Gabriel slowly pushes himself upright.
The second he moves too fast, pain flashes across his face.
I notice immediately.
Doctor brain overrides emotional meltdown automatically.
“You’re hurt.”
Gabriel gives me a tired look.
“I’m alive.”
“Sit down.”
That surprises him.
Probably because little sisters ordering him around apparently survived memory suppression too.
Clay smirks slightly beside me.
Oh no.
He noticed that.
Gabriel notices the smirk too.
His eyes narrow instantly.
“You’re enjoying this.”
“Little bit.”
I almost laugh.
Almost.
