Mallory leaned back against the reinforced wall of Alex's makeshift lab, her wrench resting on her knees. She was exhausted but relieved to have a moment of calm. Around her, the group was catching their breath. Alex was tweaking a glowing device on his workbench, Vanessa sat sharpening her knife, Altair was typing furiously into his tablet, and Greg was eating a protein bar he'd mysteriously pulled from his pocket.
But even as the immediate danger faded, Mallory's mind churned with questions. How had Alex ended up here? Why had Greg never mentioned their separation before now? And what exactly had happened to her apartment that made it feel less like home and more like a distant dream?
She took a deep breath, addressing the group. "Alright, we need to talk."
"About what?" Greg asked through a mouthful of protein bar.
