Chapter 28 · Blood at the Checkpoint

"Four-seven-seven-two-one." Kael's voice was flat, repeating the service number like she was filing it somewhere permanent. "Medical corps. You ran."

Cyrus couldn't look at her. "Yeah."

The broadcast kept cycling through the cheap speakers mounted on poles. His name. His crimes. The word *deserter* crackling over and over.

Lien was staring. So was Arch. The younger kids didn't understand the military codes, but they knew the tone. Dangerous. Armed. Traitor.

"We need to move," Arch said. "Now."

Kael didn't move. She was still watching Cyrus, expression flat, unreadable. The ink on her arms wasn't glowing yet, but he could see the tension in her shoulders.

Ready.

"They're coming for both of us," Cyrus said. His voice came out steadier than he felt. "You because you're AWOL. Me because I left my squad."

"Left them where?"

He swallowed. "In a medical tent. Under fire. I took supplies and ran."

Lien's breath hitched. The younger kids huddled behind Arch, wide-eyed.

Kael's gaze didn't shift. "How many?"

"What?"

"How many in your squad."

Cyrus felt his throat close. "Seven. Three wounded. I was supposed to stabilize them and hold until evac."

"Did you."

"No."

The word sat there between them, ugly and true.