Chapter 16 · Floor Ten Has No Exit

"Say the phrase again," Ada said. She kept the gun level, barrel switching between the two Victors every three seconds.

The one on the ceiling grinned. "Bluebird doesn't fly at night."

"Anyone could've pulled that from my file."

"Your file says you grew up in foster care in Baltimore." He shifted his weight, boots somehow locked to the inverted concrete. "It doesn't say your mom whispered that to you every time she hid you in the closet before your dad came home drunk."

Ada's finger tightened on the trigger. "How?"

"Because I was there." The ceiling Victor's voice dropped. "Loop forty-seven. You told me after we fought off Gomez's crew on floor six. You were bleeding out and you thought you were dying."

"I never made it to floor six."

"Not in this loop."

The Victor on the ground laughed. It was wrong, too smooth, like someone doing an impression. "She's stalling you. Shoot him and let's move."

Ada took a half step back, gun still raised. "If you're real, tell me what I said after."

Ceiling Victor's jaw worked. "You said your mom died when you were nine.