There was no explanation as to why the Guardian wouldn’t be able to see Cassidy’s signal. Confused, Cassidy asked, “Did you try sending for help?”

“Tried… no answer….” The woman’s voice was a hoarse croak.

“Brandon is getting help,” Cassidy assured her. “Just hang on.”

She nodded, and Cassidy continued to puzzle over why she was able to get a message to Brandon but no one else could be reached by anyone inside of the tagging center.

“Look, if this Brandon person is getting help, maybe we should hang back,” Dax suggested as they began to walk, weapons drawn, down the dark hall in the direction Cassidy believed would lead...