Zoe Pierce scanned the black-and-white paper and handed it to Miles Sherman, who was closest to her.
Seth Yates stood rooted to the spot, his expression tense.
The smell of burnt charcoal lingered in the air. The firelight cast flickering shadows, making the expressions on Zoe Pierce and the others appear even more somber.
After passing the paper to Miles, Zoe looked Seth in the eye. "Seth, can you tell me where you got this?"
Seth's voice was strained, and his throat tightened. "So... this is real?"
The boy's eyes held a stubborn glint, his lips pressed into a thin line, betraying his unease.
'When talking to a smart kid like this...' Zoe thought for a moment before deciding not to deny it. Instead, she said, "That's right, it's real. But it doesn't mention the success rate."
'Deceiving him would only make Seth more curious. It's better to tell him the truth so he can analyze it for himself.'
