The adrenaline crash hit Scarlett. Her muscles, enhanced or not, screamed from the sudden combat after a century of stillness. The gnawing emptiness in her stomach had evolved into actual pain—her body demanding resources after burning through whatever reserves the cryo-sleep had left.
"I'm starving," Scarlett announced, leaning against the corridor wall for support. "Like, seriously, I think my stomach is trying to eat itself right now. We need to find food ASAP."
Jin, who had been quietly checking the corridor ahead, turned back with concern etched on his face. "You should have said something earlier, Scarlett. We passed the supply rooms on our way here. Let's get everyone fed first."
Shūmei stood nearby, still cleaning her blade with those slow, loving strokes that made Scarlett's instincts prickle. The smaller girl's crimson eyes never left Jin, tracking him with the focus of a hunting cat.
