"What do you want?" Caleb asked, his tone dropping into a dry flatline.
A quiet laugh came through the terminal speaker.
"You always skip the pleasantries," she said. "I spent a considerable amount of capital bypassing the regional security grid just to access the cameras on this floor. I must admit, the visual is striking. You tore that steel door entirely off its frame."
"The hinges were stuck."
"The hinges were magnetically sealed to withstand a hurricane," she corrected gently. "The anomaly finally assimilated the calories. It rebuilt your muscle density. You are beautiful."
The last word landed like a receipt he had never signed. Caleb flexed his fingers once, remembering the crushed handle on the roof.
Caleb crossed his arms over his bare chest. "I need clothes. And I need a ride back to Seventh Division before roll call."
"Walk out the ground-floor exit." Her voice carried absolute control. "I am waiting."
The call clicked dead.
