Civilization is fragile.
Governments fail.
Disasters cascade.
Systems collapse faster than anyone believes possible.
When that happens—
People will look for structure.
For leadership.
For order.
And whoever provides it will control what comes next.
“Long enough,” I say.
She walks closer to the monitors.
Another screen shows Boone and Wren leaving the church.
Walking toward the parking lot.
Their posture tight.
Alert.
Already analyzing what they just learned.
“Do you think they realize how much we know about them?” she asks.
“Yes.”
“Won’t that make them cautious?”
“Of course.”
“Then why expose Eli at all?”
I smile slightly.
Because hunters don’t catch wolves by hiding forever.
Sometimes you have to let them see the trap.
“Because,” I say quietly, “curiosity is stronger than fear.”
On the screen Boone pauses near the truck.
Scanning the parking lot.
Checking angles.
Calculating.
Exactly the man I thought he was.
