The silence is absolute.
I don't answer Lola right away.
I just stand there… frozen in the middle of the ruined hall.
My back is turned to the rest of the group. They are already moving toward the exit, completely oblivious to the crushing truth of this place.
I stare at the dust dancing lazily in the shafts of golden sunlight. My eyes drift to the heavy iron spikes scattered across the cracked concrete—the massive darts the Gatekeeper fired at everyone who entered here.
I close my eyes.
I clench my jaw so hard my teeth ache.
My hand slides into my pocket, my thumb brushing the smooth, warm surface of the Reentry Pearl. A tether to a reality that suddenly feels impossibly far away.
I force my lungs to draw a breath, taking control of my fracturing mind. I turn around and crouch down in front of Lola. Slower than combat allows. Gentler than I'm used to.
I look into her large, watery blue eyes and ask the only question that matters.
"What else did you see, Little Bear?"
