Emma was playing chess with Sophie when the alarms sounded.
"What is that?" Emma asked.
Catherine ran in. "Division soldiers. Outside the perimeter. Everyone to the safe room. Now!"
Emma grabbed her stuffed rabbit. Ran with the other children. They had practiced this. Knew the drill.
But this felt different. More urgent. More real.
In the safe room, fifteen children huddled together. Six adults with them. All scared. All waiting.
"How many soldiers?" someone asked Catherine.
"Fifty. Maybe more. Enhanced with temporary serum. They are not negotiating. Not asking for surrender. Just moving in."
"Do we fight?"
"We buy time. Let the children escape through the back tunnels. Marcus and his cell are in Toronto. If we can hold out thirty minutes, he can get here. Help us."
But thirty mi
