The air inside the Resistance bunker was thick with silence. Monitors hummed faintly, casting cold light over faces that had forgotten sleep. The aftershock of Haven’s destruction still lingered in their bones, a phantom vibration that wouldn’t fade.
Ethan sat alone in the med bay, staring at his reflection in a cracked piece of glass. His pupils flickered faintly—like static beneath the surface. Maya stood near the door, arms crossed, watching him without speaking.
“You haven’t blinked in over a minute,” she said quietly.
Ethan forced a small smile. “Guess I’m learning new tricks.”
Maya stepped closer, her voice trembling. “That’s not funny. You’re changing, Ethan. I can feel it.”
He turned to her, and for a brief moment, his gaze softened. “So can I.”
Outside, Dr. Myles and Agent H
