“Perimeter’s clear,” he said. “We tripped nothing.”
Ranger followed, face grim. “No breach. But someone threw something at the transformer. Hard. The whole junction’s fried.”
My lungs burned. I pressed my forehead to the floor, trying to ground myself.You’re safe. You’re safe. You’re?—
The backup generator buzzed to life.
The lights flickered on.
And my phone buzzed.
Just one.
A single text.
I reached for it with numb fingers, but Ariel beat me to it. She stared at the screen, face draining of color.
“Amanda…”
Cap took the phone from her. His face didn’t change. Not a twitch. But the way he gripped the phone, tight like it might snap in two, told me everything.
He turned the screen so I could see.
A picture.
The freight elevator door from the compound.
Closed. Silent. Nothing in the frame.
Except for a trail of bright red blood running down the buttons.
A message.
A signature.
I couldn’t breathe.
“Oh God,” Ariel whispered, stepping back into the room. “Amanda?—”
The walls spun.
My hands curled into claws, fingers locking up, pain shooting through my joints as my body collapsed in on itself. I hit the floor and couldn’t make myself move. Couldn’t suck in a breath.
Juststatic.
Panic crashed through me, full-body. I was back there. I was not safe. I would never be free from this. They would never stop hunting me down.
“Is she’s seizing?” Cap asked sharply.
“No, “ Doc said and he slid down next to me. “It’s a panic attack. Her hands are locked. Get her flat—now.”
Cap crouched low, pressing one grounding hand to my back. “Amanda. Breathe.”
I couldn’t.
Doc leaned in close. “You’re here. You’re safe. Look at me. Five things you can see.”
“Doc—” my voice cracked. “I c-can’t?—”
