The soldiers escorted us out of the room, boots heavy against concrete as we peeled away from the line and moved parallel to it.
That alone was enough to draw attention.
Lila's hand was locked around mine, fingers tight—too tight—but she wasn't giddy anymore. Not openly. Whatever thrill had been bubbling in her earlier had been shoved down, compressed into something smaller and far more dangerous.
Contained.
I could feel it in the way her grip never loosened.
Eyes followed us as we passed.
Peter stared openly, confusion hardening into suspicion. Jane looked away too quickly. Terri's mouth parted like she wanted to speak but didn't dare. Cherie didn't look at me at all.
Aubrey did.
Her eyebrow twitched—just once—but it said everything. Anger. Betrayal. A question she didn't have time to ask.
"NEXT!!" a soldier barked from the front of the line.
Aubrey didn't move.
She was still staring at me.
