Chapter 6 · The Exit Has Teeth

"You're bleeding."

Jude didn't look up from the panel he was prying open with the butt of his knife. His knuckles were split, red soaking through the sleeve of his jacket where something had torn into his forearm during the last reset.

"So are you," he said.

I touched my temple. My fingers came away wet. I didn't remember hitting my head, but that didn't mean much anymore. Every loop left me with a new set of bruises, a new ache I couldn't account for.

"I need the map," I said.

He didn't stop working. "No."

"Jude—"

"I said no." The panel came free with a snap. Wires spilled out, color-coded, neat. He pulled a penlight from his pocket and held it between his teeth while he traced the lines with his fingertips.

I stepped closer. Close enough to see the sweat on the back of his neck, the way his jaw was locked tight around the light. Close enough to grab his wrist if I had to.

"I can't do this blind," I said. "You know where the core door is. You know how to open it. That's the exit, right?