I study their faces, seeing the frustration written there. They've planned every detail of Malachi's psychological destruction, but this ethical quandary has them stumped.
Then I blink, a light going off in my head.
“What if we find another Sanctum survivor to take over?” I say, the words tumbling out as an idea crystallizes in my mind. “Someone with the credentials, the background, the legitimacy to clean house from the inside?”
The room goes silent, all eyes turning to me. I can practically see the gears turning in their heads as they process what I'm suggesting.
“That's...” Elias leans forward, his pale gray eyes sharpening with interest. “That's actually brilliant.”
“Think about it,” I continue, gaining confidence as the plan takes shape. “The foundation needs leadership that can't be questioned. Someone with the right education, the right connections, the right motivation to root out the corruption while protecting the legitimate programs.”
Silas catches on immediately, his eyes lighting up. “A survivor with clean credentials who knows exactly what to look for. Someone the board would trust, the community would accept.”
“But where would we find someone like that?” Rowe asks quietly.
Marek shuffles his cards, his eyes distant. “The scattered children. The ones who went into NGOs, military service, legitimate careers. Some of them must have built respectable lives.”
“Ethan Kane already did some of that research,” Teddy adds, and I can almost see his federal agent brain kicking in. “When he was tracking survivors for the stalker case I was on as a Secret Service agent. He found dozens of them scattered across different professions.”
Jules sits up straighter. “Social workers, child psychologists, nonprofit directors. People who turned their trauma into purpose.”
“Exactly,” I say, excitement building. “Find someone who's already working in child welfare, someone with the credentials to take over a foundation like Malachi's. Someone who would jump at the chance to protect kids from the kind of monsters who hurt them.”
Logan grins. “Let the survivor dismantle the network from the inside while we handle the Prophet directly.”
Elias stands, starting to pace around the small space. It's become familiar in the two weeks I've been at Seven Sins. “We'd need someone with advanced degrees, preferably in social work or child psychology. Someone with a track record in legitimate organizations. And most importantly...”
“Someone who survived what we survived,” Jonah finishes, understanding immediately.
“The question is how we approach them,” Silas says, crossing his arms over his broad chest. “You can't exactly walk up to a successful professional and say 'Hey, remember that cult we escaped from? Want to help us destroy our father?'“
“Actually,” Teddy says slowly, “we might be able to. If they're already working in child protection, they understand the stakes. They know what happens when systems fail kids.”
Marek speaks from the shadows. “The cards have been showing me reunion. Scattered family coming together for a greater purpose. I thought it was about Agent Coleman joining us, but perhaps...”
“Perhaps it's about bringing more survivors into the fold,” I finish. I can't believe I'm taking fortune cards at face value, but the shoe fits.
“We'd have to be careful,” Elias warns. “Not everyone who survived the Sanctum would be willing to risk their rebuilt lives for revenge.”
“This isn't just revenge,” I point out. “It's prevention. It's making sure Malachi can never hurt another child, while ensuring his legitimate programs continue helping kids who need them.”
The room falls quiet as everyone processes the implications. It's a complex plan, requiring delicate maneuvering and absolute trust in a stranger. But it's also elegant in its justice—using Malachi's own system against him, placing it in the hands of someone who truly understands what's at stake.
“I like it,” Jules says finally. “It's got layers. Psychological warfare on Malachi, protection for innocent kids, and justice all wrapped up in one package.”
“The question is whether we can find the right person,” Rowe says. “Someone with the right background who'd be willing to take on this kind of responsibility.”
“Leave that to me,” Teddy says, surprising us all. “I have access to databases, background checks, personnel files. If all else fails, I'll hit up Ethan. If there's a Sanctum survivor working in child welfare with the credentials to run a foundation like Malachi's, I can find them.”
“And if they refuse?” Logan asks.
I think about the way trauma shapes people, the way survivors either crumble or become fierce protectors. “They won't refuse. Not if they understand what's really at stake. Not if they know children are still being hurt.”
Silas reaches over and squeezes my hand. “You're absolutely right. A true survivor wouldn't be able to walk away from the chance to protect other kids.”
“So we have a new plan,” Elias says, his voice carrying that command authority that makes everyone listen. “Teddy findsus our insider. We continue psychological pressure on Malachi until he's completely isolated and vulnerable. And when the time comes, we take him down while our survivor takes over his empire.”
“Leaving the legitimate programs intact and protected,” I add.
