The echo of the mutant's death still lingered, bouncing through the auditorium like the dying ring of a bell. For a long moment, no one moved. No one spoke.
The frost-covered corpse of the supervisor lay sprawled across the cracked wooden stage, limbs twisted unnaturally, its green, glowing eyes now dim and lifeless. Acid hissed quietly on the floor where its final attack had splashed. The scorched remains of the two students who'd tried to protect Elise were a grim reminder that victory had its price.
Liam leaned on the metal pole, breath ragged, chest rising and falling. His hands trembled slightly, whether from exertion or something deeper, he didn't know.
Mark stepped forward, eyes darting between Elise and Liam, then the rest of the stunned group.
"Is everyone okay?" he asked, voice low but steady.
There were murmurs, some nods, some silent sobs.
