Ethan’s POV

“We’re here,” the woman said. “Both of you. Out.”

Lila stepped out first and I followed. The air outside the car felt colder than it should have. You know that chilly air you only feel when you’re about to do something entirely out of your control.

The agency woman was already walking toward a heavy metal door marked “STAGE 3”. We fell in behind her without speaking.

Inside, the temperature dropped another few degrees. The corridor was narrow and painted a dull industrial grey. Voices and the low hum of equipment carried from deeper in the building. The agency woman stopped at a set of double doors, pushed...