[GOVERNMENT OBSERVATION ROOM – LIVE FEED]
The moment Lilly Cross crossed the threshold of the house—
Every screen in the observation room flashed red.
CODE BLACK – CONFIRMED
"No turning back," an analyst whispered.
"She entered the saviour's residence."
A senior officer clenched his jaw. "She wasn't dragged."
Another voice trembled. "She walked in on her own."
Silence fell.
"That means…" someone said slowly, "…she's already surrendered."
The feed zoomed in.
Inside the house.
The door closed.
CODE BLACK – SUBJECT CONTAINED
[INSIDE THE HOUSE]
Lilly felt it the moment she stepped in.
The air was thick.
Heavy.
Like a battlefield long abandoned—but never cleaned.
Her eyes flicked everywhere.
Mounted animal heads.
Racks of knives.
Coiled ropes.
Hunting rifles resting casually in the corner.
Interrogation tools.
Psychological intimidation.
This isn't a home. This is a confession room.
Her legs trembled.
So this is how it ends.
Nana moved past her.
Every step deliberate. Controlled.
She placed the knife down.
She doesn't need it anymore.
"Sit," Nana said.
Lilly obeyed instantly.
Noah took off his shoes and went to the sink like this was normal.
Of course he's calm, Lilly thought.
This is routine.
Nana turned, opened the fridge—
And poured a glass of orange juice.
She placed it in front of Lilly.
The glass clinked softly against the table.
"…Drink," Nana said.
Lilly stared at it.
The liquid glowed an unnatural orange under the light.
Poison?
Sedative?
Truth serum?
Her pulse roared in her ears.
Nana didn't blink.
Noah leaned against the counter, watching quietly.
They're waiting.
If I refuse… I'm dead.
Her fingers shook as she lifted the glass.
I've been trained for this, she told herself.
Pain, poison, torture—
She drank.
One gulp.
Two.
Three.
It was—
Sweet.
Fresh.
Cold.
Her body reacted before her mind could stop it.
"…Yummy."
The word slipped out.
The room froze.
Nana's eyes widened.
Noah stiffened.
They stared at her.
Why are they looking at me like that!?
Did I say the wrong thing!?
Her panic spiked.
Was that the trigger phrase!?
Then—
"Yes!" Noah shouted, pumping his fist.
"I win!"
Lilly blinked.
"…Huh?"
Noah grinned. "Nana! She said yummy!"
Nana clicked her tongue. "Tch. Again?"
Noah pulled out his wallet. "Fair's fair."
He handed Nana some cash.
Lilly's brain crashed.
"…What?"
Nana crossed her arms. "You owe me five. My special drink never loses."
Noah sighed. "I really thought this time—"
Lilly stared between them.
"…You… weren't drugging me?"
Nana looked offended. "Drug you?"
Noah tilted his head. "Why would we do that?"
Her vision swam.
Noah continued casually, "We have a bet. Whenever someone new comes over, Nana gives them her juice. If they say 'yummy' or 'delicious' genuinely, Nana wins. If not, I win."
"…Genuinely?" Lilly whispered.
Nana nodded proudly. "You can always tell."
Lilly's chest tightened.
I've eaten luxury meals.
Five-star dishes.
Black-market delicacies.
But this—
This was the first time the word slipped out without calculation.
Without survival.
Without fear.
Her hands clenched around the empty glass.
When did I let my guard down?
Nana studied her closely.
Then smiled.
A terrifying, warm smile.
"So," Nana said, leaning down, eyes sharp, "you must be Noah's girlfriend."
Lilly choked.
"G-G-GIRLFRIEND!?"
Noah nearly dropped a plate. "WHAT!? Nana, no!"
Nana waved him off. "You brought her home. You fed her. You made her drink the juice."
"That doesn't mean—!"
Lilly's face burned.
Her mind screamed.
This is worse than interrogation.
Nana laughed deeply. "Relax. I'm just teasing."
She stood tall.
"But you're welcome here."
Lilly froze.
Welcome…?
No threats.
No conditions.
No chains.
The government feed watched silently.
[GOVERNMENT OBSERVATION ROOM]
"She drank the liquid."
"Subject is alive."
"Subject appears… emotionally destabilized."
A pause.
"…Did the saviour just accept her?"
No one answered.
The director whispered:
"We're not watching an interrogation."
"…We're watching recruitment."