They didn't have time to pack properly.
Arden did one sweep — grabbed three sealed med kits, a box of iodine wipes, and a small silver case he didn't explain.
Nox stuffed protein bars into a mesh bag like a kid looting a candy shop.
Kai stayed near Alva.
not hovering… but orbiting.
protective without saying it.
that was his style.
Arden pushed open the maintenance stair door — the air coming up the shaft was colder — heavier — the city below was dead silent, but the silence had weight.
like something listening.
they moved a single file.
Alva in the middle.
Kai behind her — he wanted to be last — to watch her back.
Arden whispered instructions while walking:
"no loud powers unless absolutely necessary. resonance spikes can be sensed."
Alva's brow creased.
"by who?"
Arden didn't look back.
"not scavengers."
Kai clicked his tongue.
"you're just trying to scare her."
"no," Arden said quietly.
"I'm trying to prepare her."
they reached the garage level — and stopped.
a collapsed armoured van blocked most of the exit ramp — but there was a gap just wide enough if they sidestepped.
Nox squeezed through first.
Arden next.
Alva reached the squeeze point — she hesitated.
Kai leaned in closer — his breath warm near her ear.
"you alright?" he murmured.
Alva rolled her eyes — but her voice betrayed the tiniest tremor:
"I hate tight spaces."
Kai smirked.
"then walk faster, beast-girl."
she shoved his shoulder lightly — pushing past.
they emerged outside —
and froze.
there were three bodies near the street corner — slumped like they died waiting — their clothes modern, not scavenger–rag patched.
Arden crouched — examined one.
no rot smell.
fresh.
"sentinels," he muttered.
Kai stiffened.
even Alva felt it — like static pressure in the air.
Arden met their eyes.
"they weren't killed by bullets. or knives. they were overloaded."
Kai whispered:
"powers?"
Arden nodded once.
Alva swallowed.
"there are others like me… bigger?"
Arden's voice was soft — brutally honest.
"some are already evolving past your level."
Kai stepped slightly in front of her again — instinct — subconscious.
Arden noticed — but pretended he didn't.
Nox whispered shakily:
"we should move. now."
they crossed the street — shoes crunching broken glass — Kai kept his hand loosely near Alva's waist like he wanted to guide her but didn't want to be obvious.
Alva noticed.
she didn't comment.
but she didn't move away.
Arden spoke low — barely above breath:
"the hidden base is north. twenty minutes if we don't get attention."
Alva's fingers twitched.
lightning crawled under her skin —
controlled
but ready.
for once —
she wasn't scared of it.
she wanted to use it.
Kai saw that glint in her eye.
and he smiled — small — dangerous — proud.
"good," he murmured.
"now you're becoming one of us."