Long enough for me to see the conflict in her face.
Then she lowers the pistol.
Not dropping it.
Just lowering it.
“I’m not your enemy,” she says quietly.
Russ raises an eyebrow.
“You kidnapped our analyst.”
“That was leverage.”
Adam’s voice hardens.
“You hurt her.”
Mara looks at me.
Something like regret flickers again.
“Yes.”
Then she turns back to Boone.
“But if you think stopping the Architect will save anyone…”
Her voice drops.
“…you still don’t understand the system.”
Before anyone can move—
She steps backward into the darkness.
Adam shifts his rifle.
“Don’t—”
Too late.
Mara disappears into the trees.
The forest swallows her in seconds.
Miles exhales slowly.
“Well.”
“That’s annoying.”
Adam lowers his rifle slightly.
“We’ll deal with her later.”
Boone turns toward me.
