Chapter 16 · Steal the Starlight - Chapter 16: Off-Script Chaos

"Get your hand off me, Ellis! Now!"

Wren shoved me back the second her eyes snapped open. The tenderness from a minute ago was gone, replaced by a look of pure, unfiltered panic. She scrambled away from me, her back hitting the cold concrete wall of the alleyway with a dull thud.

I stared at my palm, then at her. "You just whispered something about a 'Project Chimera.' What the hell is that?"

"Nothing. You misheard me. I was delirious," she snapped. She was shaking, her breathing shallow. She tried to stand up, but her knees buckled.

I stepped forward, reaching out. "Wren, you're barely standing. Just tell me what's going on and we can—"

"Don't touch me!" she shrieked.

I froze. The desperation in her voice wasn't just about the project. It was fear. Real, bone-deep fear. Before I could ask another question, the comms unit in my ear crackled to life with the Manager's voice, sharp and commanding.

"Positions, now! The drones are live in thirty seconds. Ellis, get into the 'villain' stance. Wren, look distressed but hopeful. Give the fans some angst!"

I glanced up.