Aurora reached the room with calm, measured steps, Calvert dragging his bloody self behind her, grumbling under his breath and clutching his aching ribs.
The corridor stretched quiet, unnaturally so, the tension so thick it felt like the air itself had weight.
They stopped in front of a metal door—sleek, state-of-the-art, with a smart lock system requiring a password.
Aurora tilted her head and looked over her shoulder at him. "Well? You going to open it, or do I need to break another bone?"
Calvert's lips trembled. "It's… just…" He hesitated, eyes darting nervously. But she didn't have the patience to wait.
Aurora turned back to the lock, her fingers moving fast. She tapped a few combinations, paused, then entered another sequence.
With a mechanical click, the door unlocked.
Calvert's eyes widened. "How—how the hell did you do that?"
Aurora didn't answer. She pushed the door open and stepped inside.
