Because if she’s there—
We move.
“Scout,” I say low.
“I see her.”
Her voice is steady.
Too steady.
We close the distance.
Ten feet.
Five.
And then—
“Tessa.”
Scout’s voice breaks just slightly.
The first crack I’ve heard from her.
The girl in the chair lifts her head.
Mid-twenties. Blonde. Pale. Eyes wide but conscious.
“Tessa,” Scout says again, softer now.
Alive.
Responsive.
“Clear perimeter,” I order.
Boone and the team fan out immediately.
No movement.
No secondary threats.
No sound.
Too clean.
I move forward first, closing the last few feet, dropping to one knee in front of her.
“Hey,” I say, voice steady. “You’re okay. We’ve got you.”
She nods quickly, eyes flicking past me—
To Scout.
“Scout—”
“I’m here,” Scout says, already beside me.
