The Woman They Built to Obey

Chapter 4: The Other Voice

Blackridge smelled exactly as Mia remembered.

Salt air, disinfectant, cold metal, and fear hidden under cleanliness.

Dr. Selene March walked beside her through the corridor. Some staff stared. Others looked away. The older ones remembered what happened the night Mia escaped.

"You've done well," Selene said. "Investment holdings, defense contracts, aviation logistics. Impressive for someone who disappeared."

"I learned from experts in manipulation."

They entered a circular observation room. Screens covered the walls. On one screen, Nora sat in the white room, still restrained.

Mia stepped closer.

"Nora."

The girl's eyes moved toward the speaker.

She had heard.

"Release her," Mia said.

"No," Selene replied. "You are not here to rescue her. You are here to stabilize her for transfer."

"Transfer where?"

Selene did not answer.

Graves entered behind them, guarded.

"She's being sold," he said.

Selene snapped, "Elias."

He ignored her. "A private consortium wants operational subjects with emotional suppression and identity flexibility."

"Children," Mia said.

No one corrected her.

On the screen, Nora spoke.

"I know you're there."

Mia moved closer. "Yes."

"They told me you abandoned us."

"I didn't know you existed."

Nora stared toward the speaker. "Do you lie better than they do?"

Mia almost smiled.

"Yes. But not about this."

Selene cut the audio. "That is enough."

Mia looked at the screens, doors, guards, and access panels. Her mind began mapping threats.

Graves leaned closer.

"There is another subject," he said. "The one who requested you. B-01. The first survivor."

A young male voice suddenly came through the room speakers.

"Mia?"

Everyone froze.

The voice trembled.

"Is that really you?"

Mia looked at Graves.

"Who is he?"

Graves went pale.

"Your brother."