Moving beyond the last tent, William stopped, surprised at what he saw on a solitary table.

In a cage on the table, multiple rats scurried on a wheel or amidst pieces of shredded newspaper. Lily recoiled at the sight.

“What is that?” William asked.

“We’ll explain in a moment. Let’s keep going. But it reminds me, how did she—how did both those girls survive out there all this time? And how did she escape?”

William felt Lily’s grip tighten as they walked. “She doesn’t remember anything.”

“This feels bad, Mr. Chance. Really bad. I don’t trust this at all—”

“And given what your agency and government have done to my family, the feeling is completely mutual.”

“Let’s just hope you meant what you said, that we all want the same conclusion.”

Among the parked vehicles were two ATVs positioned at an angle, almost touching, preventing anyone from walking beyond. Standing before them were four women, encircled by soldiers.

“Well played, General,” William said softly.

“Just a reminder of what’s at stake should you decide to make a move that we don’t agree with.”

He passed by his aunts, prevented from touching them by the surrounding soldiers. He saw Kate put her arm around Stella as he passed.

“Screw this,” he heard a familiar voice say. “Let me see that boy.”

William attempted to take Roxy’s outstretched hand, but the soldiers gently pushed her back.

“No contact, that’s non-negotiable,” the general said from just a footstep behind him. “And that goes for everyone.”

Only one person did not turn to him at his approach, as her gaze was fixed on the broken landscape.

“Nanna,” William said.

“William, come stand with me.”

“Mrs. Roseworth, you know that is not going to happen,” the general said.

At that, she did look over her shoulder. “You will give me a moment with my grandson. And then you can have all the time you want to bark.”

William heard Roxy grunt in satisfaction.

“We’re here for one reason only, and that is for you both to reveal what you know so I can formulate a strategy—”

“Then stand between us if you wish, General. But you are only wasting time,” Lynn said.

William flashed his raised eyebrows at the general, motioning at the space beside his grandmother. The soldiers around her parted for the general as he huffed over, putting his hands on his hips to further the divide between grandmother and grandson.

“Understand this first,” the general said. “No one can go any further than the points of these vehicles. Do you see there?”

Not far across the mesa on which they stood was another cage. There appeared to be movement inside it.

“More rats?” William asked.