That night, Kieran stayed awake in his small, cramped quarters, the weight of his decision pressing down on him. He knew the risks. Betraying Liam wasn't just dangerous—it was suicidal. But he couldn't ignore the feeling gnawing at him, the sense that if he didn't act now, it would be too late.
When the camp finally fell silent, Kieran slipped out of his quarters, his footsteps light and deliberate. He needed answers, and he knew exactly where to find them.
---
The archive room was hidden deep within the compound, a place few dared to enter without Liam's permission. Kieran had only been there once before, but he remembered the way.
He crept down the dark hallway, his pulse quickening with every step. The door was locked, as expected, but Kieran had come prepared. Pulling a small set of tools from his pocket, he worked quickly, his hands steady despite the tension coiling in his chest.
