Andrea dreamed for the first time in months.
Hawk sat across from her on a rooftop, legs dangling.
"You're quieter," he said.
"Means I'm learning," Andrea replied.
Robby leaned against the railing, arms crossed.
"You chose this," he said gently. "Don't pretend you didn't."
Andrea swallowed.
"I know."
Hawk smiled — soft, familiar.
"Just don't become what killed us."
She woke up shaking.
For the first time, restraint felt heavier than violence.
It happened in Vienna.
Crowded. Public. Wrong place.
A man reached for her arm — fan or threat, she never found out.
Andrea broke his wrist without looking.
Phones came out.
Sirens followed.
By nightfall, every screen showed her face again.
DANGEROUS INDIVIDUAL SPOTTED.
AUTHORITIES ADVISE DISTANCE.
Andrea stood on a bridge, watching patrol lights reflect on water.
She could disappear again.
She didn't.
Tory finally stepped into the open.
A café. Midday. No weapons.
She sat across from Andrea like this was normal.
"They're hunting you," Tory said lightly. "You hate being owned."
Andrea stirred her coffee.
"You followed me across borders," Andrea said. "That's obsession."
Tory smiled. "That's loyalty."
Andrea looked up.
Cold. Final.
"Say that word again," she said, "and this ends with one of us in the ground."
Tory leaned forward, eyes bright.
"You already chose violence," she whispered. "You're just doing it slowly now."
Andrea stood.
Coins hit the table.
"This is your last warning," she said. "Next time, I won't wait."
Tory watched her leave.
Thrilled.
Andrea stood alone on a train platform at dawn.
The world wanted her gone.
Tory wanted her unleashed.
Tom wanted her contained.
Hawk and Robby wanted her honest.
Andrea exhaled.
For the first time, she didn't ask what she deserved.
She asked what she wanted.
And the answer terrified her.
She wanted the war to end.
Which meant she'd have to finish it.