Chapter 69: From Pawn to Puppet Master
Zaara’s POV
"Vincent killed Kai," Dinesh said again, like the words physically hurt to say.
Then he added, "And Asha."
Theo froze mid-step. "He... killed Kid?" he asked.
Kai. Sweet, wide-eyed Kai. We all called him Kid...not to belittle him, but because he was the youngest. He probably just turned nineteen or twenty, still thinking we could survive this nightmare.
"He killed Aaron too," someone murmured from the shadows, like it physically pained them to say it.
"And Ella," another muttered, this time with a tremor in their voice.
Every name spoken was like another nail hammered into a coffin we were all already standing inside.
Theo ran a hand down his face slowly. "So that means..."
"So that means..." he muttered, "We’re down to what? Eighty? Really... eighty?"
Someone in the back of the room counted silently, fingers trembling.