Page 120 of Rescuing Ally: Part 1

We all lean in.

“Holy shit,” Malia whispers.

It’s compact but solid. Two bunks. A privacy screen over a tinytoilet. Emergency rations, water, med kits, and a comm panel glowing faintly green. There’s even a weapons locker hidden beneath the lower bunk.

“Designed to protect the apartment’s main residents,” Stitch explains. “Reinforced walls. Air filtration. Direct uplink to Command, even if Guardian systems are compromised.”

Jenna runs a hand along the steel frame. “I can’t believe Carter never told me.”

“Guardian policy,” Stitch says, not unkindly. “The fewer people who know about these rooms, the less likely their locations will be compromised. But given current circumstances, you all need to know now.”

“What about the children?” Sophia asks, eyes drifting toward Luke asleep in the next room.

“Each apartment has a panic room—they’re identical in design. You’ll need to stock them for your specific needs.” She points to a small chest built into one wall. “This is where you should keep essential supplies for the kids—toys to keep them calm, extra formula, diapers, a change of clothes.”

“So if something happens…” Sophia frowns.

“You get in here, you seal the door, and you call for help,” Stitch finishes. “But more importantly, we’re going to practice doing exactly that. Right now.”

“Now?” Sophia protests. “Luke is sleeping.”

“And if an attack happens while he’s sleeping?” Stitch challenges. “Better he learns now, when it’s safe, than during an actual emergency.”

Her logic is irrefutable.

“I’ll get Luke,” Sophia concedes with a sigh. “Malia, can you call Violet and ask her to bring Zephyr? They should both know the procedure.”

Stitch’s approval is evident in her nod. “We’ll start the drill once they arrive. Twenty seconds from alarm to lockdown—that’s our goal.”

We gather near the panic room, but the mathdoesn’t work. I look at the space, then at all of us—Jenna, Sophia, Violet, Malia, Mia, Rebel, me.

“This won’t hold all of us,” I say.

“No,” Rebel says bluntly. “We won’t all fit.”

“We can squeeze,” Sophia starts, but Rebel cuts her off with a look.

“We need a plan. Not hope.” Her voice is firm. “Luke and Zephyr go in first. Non-negotiable. Then their moms.”

Sophia shakes her head. “I’m not hiding while you’re out here.”

“This isn’t about hiding,” Rebel says gently. “It’s about priorities. Malfor would use them against you again. You both know it.”

Silence.

“If there’s time,” Stitch adds, “others can get to the panic room in Sophia’s unit. But don’t count on it.”

“My apartment is in the east building,” Mia adds quietly. “Too far to be practical in an emergency.”

“There has to be another way.” Sophia looks torn, her maternal instinct to protect Luke warring with her unwillingness to abandon the others.

“There is,” Jenna interjects. “We create a distraction. Buy time for everyone to reach safety.”

Stitch, who has been silently observing our debate, finally speaks. “This is exactly why we train. So these decisions don’t have to be made in the moment.” She looks at each of us in turn. “Rebel’s assessment is correct. In a crisis situation, you must prioritize the most vulnerable.”

“And the rest of us?” Malia asks, her voice smaller than usual.

“You fight,” Stitch says simply. “Or you run. Whichever gives you the best chance.”

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