25
Scout ran back through the phalanx of kids reaching out to touch her, to catch at her clothes, to drag smooth fingertips across her cheek.
But none of them tried to hurt her. They didn’t even try to stop her. She ran back up the narrow staircase to the corridor that led to the bridge, children following along behind her. She could hear the soft soles of their training shoes as they moved.
She was supposed to hear it. She knew with certainty that if they wanted to be silent, she would never know they were there. Not until it was far too late.
She reached the top of the stairs and glanced to the left, towards the bridge. She flinched back as she saw Shi Jian waiting for her there, leaning against the wall of the corridor with her arms crossed and watching Scout with a twisted smile on
