Page 118 of Stay Scared

“The digital map is dead.”

Ash studies the renovation layer. “We take the north equipment corridor.”

“That runs beneath the moving-wall controls.”

“It is the most direct route.”

“It’s also exactly what you would choose.”

Ash turns toward me. “You think Rook planned for that.”

“He copied your voice well enough to evacuate your staff. I think he knows which door you reach for first.”

“The west passage crosses the original foundation.”

“Which makes it less predictable.”

His voice cools. “It has not been inspected this season.”

“Neither has anything Rook touched.”

“That does not make the foundation sound.”

Owen shifts the light toward the west route. “It reaches an original projection stair. The founder key may open the lower access.”

The key rests against my chest beneath my shirt. Even in near-darkness, I catch Ash looking toward it.

“We take north.”

“We’re taking west.”

His head turns sharply. “You do not know the structural condition.”

“You do not know what Rook did to the corridor you prefer.”

Cade steps closer to the maps. “She’s right.”

Ash looks toward him. “You’re injured.”

“My ribs are cut, not my brain.”

I take the older map from Owen. “West route. We use the maintenance rope. I keep the founder key, and Owen keeps the light off unless we need it.”

Ash waits before answering.

“You’re giving orders inside my attraction.”

“Your attraction disappeared about three disasters ago.”

Cade reaches into the cabinet and removes one coil of rope while Owen gathers the mechanical keys. Ash remains beside the dead console with his mask in one hand for another second before finally stepping away.

“You lead.”

I secure one end of the rope to the steel cabinet handle. Raised knots divide the heavy nylon into measured intervals.

Cade clips the first section to his vest. Owen takes the next length. Ash anchors the rear, leaving me in front with all three men tethered to the same line.

Cade feeds the rope into my hand. His knuckles scrape my palm before he settles behind me. Owen takes his section farther back, and Ash pulls the final length tight.