Elizabeth clung to Samson with the bewildered desperation of someone who had forgotten what safety felt like. Josie knelt beside her, whispering gently, stroking her hand, keeping her anchored in the present.

The cellar lights flickered. The ancient wiring hummed. And somewhere far above them, the Hall groaned—a heaving, shifting exhale of a building that had held too many secrets too long.

May straightened, taking in the room.

“Everyone stays here,” he ordered. “Nobody moves alone. This house is not secure.”

Riggs touched his radio, signalling to the teams upstairs.
Fizz scanned the shaft they’d just escaped, pale but resolute.
Pauline wrapped a blanket around Elizabeth’s shaking shoulders.

Masha hovered just inside the doorway, eyes wide wit...

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