Zara stepped through the double doors of the dormitory building, Leo clinging to her side, one hand gripping her jacket sleeve while the other clutched his dragon sock. The corridor smelled faintly sterile—like bleach and filtered air—but not unpleasant. Fluorescent lights hummed overhead, casting pale reflections on the clean, tiled floors. A place that looked safe… and felt too neat to trust.
A soldier guided them forward with a clipboard in hand. "Family units this way."
Zara glanced over her shoulder. Naomi and Miles followed with their kids—Aren carrying a toy robot, Lila whispering something Zara couldn't catch. Arden trailed a few steps behind them, Henry in her arms, both of them blinking in quiet awe. None of the kids spoke much. It was too strange here. Too quiet.
Behind them, the rest of the group had halted near the front entrance—Winter, Sam, Mike, Richard, and Ima. Zara's brow furrowed. Winter looked as displeased as she felt.
