The cry from the infirmary had barely faded before the whole of SIMS seemed to hold its breath.
Ren had not moved from the doorway at first. He stood very still, one hand braced against the frame, his expression unreadable in that frighteningly calm way Fang had learnt to distrust whenever something truly dangerous was near. Around him, the children had been gathered into the secure room again, with Paul stationed like a silent guard at the threshold and Pax already issuing orders in a low, clipped voice that meant his patience had fully run out.
Then Ren turned.
"Everyone stays where they are," he said.
The words were quiet, but they carried enough force to freeze even the nearest staff member in place.
Fang stepped to his side at once. "Ren."
"I know," Ren answered, though he had not yet been told anything.
Pax came up on Ren's other side, expression hard. "The pressure is no longer subtle. It is pushing through the lower wards."
