MasukEvening came, but Christy couldn’t settle.She had spent most of the afternoon inside the room, occasionally pacing between the bed and the window. The guards outside changed shifts twice, and nobody had returned with her belongings.She eventually opened her bag and took out the photograph of her children.Taby stood with one arm around Sammy’s shoulders. His expression was serious, as usual, while Sammy had been caught looking away from the camera with food in his mouth.A small smile touched Christy’s lips.She could almost hear Sammy complaining about having his picture taken. Taby would probably be pretending not to care while secretly making sure his little brother stayed close.Her smile faded.She wondered if they had been asking about her. Esther had agreed to look after them, and Rosa was still at the bunker. Jobber was there too, along with the others.But Christy had no way of knowing how things were going.She hadn’t been able to explain the situation properly before leav
Christy placed the last of her clothes into the travel bag and pulled the zip closed. The transfer order lay on the desk beside her. She had read it several times since the guards delivered it, but the words remained the same. Departmental Oversight — Restricted Residential Wing. She still didn’t know what awaited her there. Judas had authorised the transfer, but that didn’t make it any less suspicious. Shedrack stood near the wardrobe, folding the shirt she had left on the bed. He placed it inside her bag without saying anything. Christy glanced at him. “You don’t have to do that.” “I know.” He picked up her toiletries and tucked them into the side compartment. She watched him for a moment. Their earlier discussion had left little else to say. He knew she didn’t want him following her, and she knew he wasn’t happy about letting her go alone. Still, he hadn’t argued again. “Keep the folder where it is,” she reminded him. “I will.” “And don’t let anyone convince you to hand
Judas glanced at the document on his desk. “There’s another matter.” Christy waited. “The man you brought with you from the plaza. Jace.” Her attention sharpened. “What about him?” “He’s undergoing medical assessment.” “You said that yesterday.” “The situation hasn’t changed.” “Why is he being held in a restricted section?” “His assessment requires controlled conditions.” “He’s not a dangerous animal.” Christy said, her gaze settled upon Judas hands on the desk. “I didn’t say he was.” “Then let me see him.” Judas studied her. “Why?” The question irritated her. “Because he was part of our group.” “He wasn’t part of your original expedition.” “He helped us.” “And you barely know him.” “That doesn’t mean I should abandon him.” Judas’s fingers rested against the edge of the document. “You’re willing to risk your position here for someone you’ve known for a few days?” “I’m not asking you to release him. I’m asking to see him.” “What if I refuse?” “Then I’ll know ex
Christy found the medical worker near the infirmary entrance. He was carrying a tray of supplies, his attention fixed on the clipboard tucked beneath his arm. When he noticed her approaching, he slowed. “Can I help you?” “I’m looking for information about one of the prisoners who was brought here yesterday.” The man glanced at her identification band. “Which one?” “The man who collapsed during the transfer. He was dehydrated and barely conscious when we arrived.” “I remember him.” “How is he?” “Stable. He’s receiving fluids and has been given food.” Christy felt some of the tension leave her shoulders. “And his wife?” The medical worker looked down at his clipboard. “His wife?” “He told me she was brought here too. He was asking for her before he collapsed.” “I can’t give you information about another patient’s medical condition.” “I’m not asking for her medical condition. I want to know whether she’s here.” The man hesitated. “That information isn’t
The folder remained hidden elsewhere, but that didn't mean she could relax. She had seen how quickly suspicion spread through the compound. If they found anything that suggested she'd taken the documents, she doubted they'd politely ask her to explain herself.The soldier near the cabinet straightened."Nothing here.""Check again," the man with the clipboard said.Christy turned toward him. "You just searched the entire room.""And?""And if you intend to search it again, at least tell me what you're looking for."He finally met her eyes."Restricted documents were removed from a secured department yesterday. We're checking whether any unauthorised materials have been taken into the residential quarters."Her stomach tightened.She kept her face still."Then perhaps you should be searching the people who had access to that department.""We are.""Well, we don’t have access to that department."The soldier watched her for a moment longer, as if waiting for her to say something else, s
The knock came just as Christy finished tucking the research folder beneath the loose lining of her travel bag. Three sharp raps. She froze, her fingers still inside the bag. "Christy?" Shedrack called from the other side of the room. "I heard it." Another knock followed, louder this time. She pulled her hand free, zipped the bag, and slid it beneath the bed. The folder was no longer inside it, but she wasn't about to let anyone see where she'd hidden it. "Open the door!" a guard ordered. Christy exchanged a glance with Shedrack. He looked tired, his expression guarded. Neither of them had slept particularly well after the previous day's escape attempt, and the arrival of armed guards wasn't helping. She opened the door. Three soldiers stood outside. The one in front carried a clipboard, while the other two wore rifles across their chests. "We're conducting a security search," the first soldier said. "Step aside." "Why?" "Orders." "Whose orders?" His expression hardene







