“We take everybody.”
No hesitation.
Not one person argues.
Because leaving children here isn’t even an option anymore.
The doctor suddenly laughs softly behind Gabriel’s grip.
“Sentinel recovery teams are already sealing the tunnel exits.”
Gabriel zip-ties her wrist and leaves her there.
“You need to stop talking.”
Honestly?
He’s showing impressive restraint.
Hannah reaches into the hidden chamber beneath the floor, helping lift the smaller children upward while Mason and Lucas create a defensive line near the collapsing nursery entrance.
Sentinel operatives keep advancing through smoke and darkness.
Professional.
Relentless.
One operative rushes through the doorway—
Russ drops him instantly.
Another follows.
Clay takes him through the chest before he clears the room.
But more keep coming.
Always more.
“They’re trying to trap us underground!” Lucas shouts.
Because they don’t care about recovering evidence anymore.
They’re trying to erase witnesses.
All witnesses.
Including the children.
Hannah helps a tiny little girl out from beneath the floor compartment.
The child immediately clings to her hoodie with trembling fingers.
And something about that nearly destroys me.
Because Hannah doesn’t hesitate.
Doesn’t flinch.
