The video ended, the screen fading to black, but Pearl's wide, tear-streaked eyes stayed with Ava long after. The cabin fell into silence, broken only by the faint hum of the laptop cooling down.
Ava stared at the screen, unmoving. Her hand was clenched so tightly around the edge of the desk that her knuckles had gone white.
"She's terrified," she murmured, mostly to herself.
Alex stood just behind her, arms crossed tightly over his chest. His voice was quiet, but firm.
"You do realize this is a trap… right?"
"You do realize this is a trap… right?"
Ava closed her eyes and pinched the bridge of her nose.
"Of course I'm aware. I mean, it's obvious."
"But we're going anyway."
"We have no choice," she snapped, then softened when she saw the guilt written across Alex's face.
"She has Pearl. This isn't about logic or tactical advantage. It's about my daughter."
