She Was Just A Child (PART 2)

CHAPTER 49: BURN THE SILENCE

The word still lingered in the air between them. Fragile. Unbelievable. Real.

"...Papa?"

Her voice cracked like dry glass, too soft for a room built to erase sound. Her hand trembled as it brushed the back of his glove. A touch so light he could barely feel it-but it shattered him.

König dropped to both knees in front of her, his visor off, his eyes burning behind the mask of shadows. He hadn't realized he was holding his breath until that moment. He hadn't realized how close he'd been to breaking.

"I've got you," he whispered. "You're safe now."

Dian blinked slowly. The tears clinging to her lashes fell without sound. Her body still shook, but she didn't pull away.

He reached up, gently, and rested his hand against her cheek.

She leaned into it like she'd forgotten how to feel warmth.

A flicker of her old self surfaced. Brief. Like light beneath cracked glass.

"I knew you'd come," she whispered. "Even when they tried to take you out of me."

He swallowed hard.

"Come on," he murmured. "Let's get you out of here."

She nodded once. Hesitant. Fragile.

Then the lights turned red.

A slow, pulsing hue drowned the room in crimson. The hum of the ceiling changed. The air pressure shifted. A low klaxon began to rise, deep and mechanical, echoing through the walls.

ALERT: SECURITY BREACH DETECTED.
FACILITY LOCKDOWN INITIATED.
OMEGA PROTOCOL ENGAGED.

König turned his head sharply toward the open door.

"Shit," he hissed.

---

Somewhere above, Zero's voice cracked through comms, laced with static.

"Facility just went live-internal systems are spiking. They've activated something called Omega Protocol-doors are locking behind us!"

"Define 'Omega Protocol'," Conor barked back.

Zero's fingers flew over his console. "Looks like a full-site containment lockdown. Weaponized security bots, internal purge units, and automated kill corridors. Whole damn facility's one big trap."

"Contact?" Roze demanded.

"Not yet. But the floor Dian's on just sealed tight. You've got maybe ninety seconds before those doors lock König in."

Oni spoke calmly. "Then we breach."

---

König grabbed Dian's hand.

She tensed. Flinched.

"Dian. Stay with me," he said firmly.

"I-" Her head twitched slightly. "I can't think. They did something-I don't know if I'm real."

"You are."

His voice left no room for doubt.

"You are. You're mine."

Another alarm screamed. The floor beneath them thudded once, hard. Then again.

She stumbled. König caught her with one arm, lifting her to her feet.

"I can't walk-"

"I'll carry you."

The second he said it, he scooped her into his arms.