The livestream ended briefly afterwards. The masked man lowered the device that had broadcast Haven’s unraveling to the world. The flood of comments froze mid-scroll. The connection dissolved into black.

Inside the dim warehouse where the interrogation had taken place, silence followed like a heavy curtain dropping after a performance.

Haven’s breathing filled the space. Her wrists were still bound, her shoulders trembling from the aftershocks of forced confession. The overhead light buzzed ...