The energy rushing through Avery's systems slowly retrograded, leaving her confused and disoriented. As her control over the room's residents waned, chaos threatened to erupt once more.
" stay!" Avery cried, her voice harsh but forceful."nothing moves until we figure this out."
The Puppet Master, her purported father, looked at her with a mixture of pride and caution." Avery, you are more significant than I ever dreamed. But you're also dangerous. Allow us to assist you in better understanding your capabilities."
Marcus Chen stepped forward, his face a mask of rage." Don't listen to him, Avery. "He has manipulated all of us since the launch."
Avery's mind swirled, torn between conflicting commitments and an unending desire for answers. She turned to Lucas and Elena, expecting to find some explanation in their expressions, but all she saw was perplexity and concern, echoing her own.
