Shadows of Control

Long shadows stretched over the rubble of Blackthorn's campus as dawn dawned over the damaged skyline. While taking stock of their hard-won victory, Avery's sleep-deprived eyelids ached. The lingering aroma of smoke and gunpowder in the air served as a sobering reminder of the intense combat they had barely escaped.

Luis said, "We should go back down," as he gently put his hand on her shoulder. "There's still so much to do."

With ideas for defense and rebuilding flashing through her thoughts, Avery nodded. Her phone continued to ring constantly as they made their way down the tower steps. With a tense and hurried tone, it was Elena.

She spoke the words "you need to see this" without introduction. "Now."

Avery and Lucas stormed into the library basement command center they had set up a few minutes earlier. Elena was crouched over a bank of monitors, her usually perfect look disheveled from the long night.