The number stared back at me like it was daring me to misunderstand it.

Ten percent.

Not half.

Not control.

Not freedom.

But not nothing either.

I sat still for a long moment, tablet resting against my thigh, the glow from the screen casting a pale light across my fingers. They were trembling slightly. I told myself it was from the cold air conditioning, but I knew better. Numbers had never scared me before. Silence scared me more. Ambiguity scared me more. But this number carried weight. It ...