"What survivors?"

Heart beats faster.

Shadows grow darker.

Song gets louder.

Listen harder.

"They're saying it was the Parazodiac Nexus."

"Bullshit. Nobody's that good."

"Tell that to Blackwater. Place was locked down tight. Didn't matter."

Shift on hard bed.

Press ear to wall.

Don't miss a word.

"Ravenscroft's different. We're bigger. Stronger."

"Size didn't help Redleaf. Or Sterling Point."

"Those were small facilities. This is Ravenscroft. Would need an army."

"They took Blackwater with four men."

Silence stretches.

Can hear guard's heart racing.

Smell his fear-sweat through wall.

"Four men can't take Ravenscroft. It's impossible."

"That's what Blackwater thought."

More footsteps.

Different heartbeat.

Faster, harder.

Another guard joins.

"You hear about the omega fighting rings?"

Stomach churns.

Remember screams.

Remember blood.

They made me watch once.

Said it was to "study reactions."