Then softly—
almost conversationally—
he says:
“You know what the fascinating thing about fear is?”
Nobody answers.
Wu’s eyes drift toward Hannah again.
“Eventually… people will always sacrifice someone else to survive.”
No.
Not this time.
Hannah lowers her weapon slightly.
And for one horrifying second I think Wu got inside her head—
Until she quietly says:
“You’re wrong.”
Wu studies her curiously.
Hannah’s voice hardens.
“Because nobody’s sacrificing these children anymore.”
Then she shoots the detonator out of his hand.
72
Hannah
The detonator explodes apart in Wu’s hand.
Sparks burst across the reactor corridor.
Metal fragments ricochet off concrete.
And for the very first time—
Director Wu looks shocked.
Not calm.
Not controlled.
Not prepared.
Shocked.
The damaged detonator skids across the floor into the steam-filled darkness.
Wu’s wounded hand jerks backward, blood splattering across his white sleeve.
