I led them into the city center. I spotted Sveta, waving to her, and she waved back, before going to get Tristan’s attention—he was barely identifiable by his armor at the edge of a clearing. Vista was with him.

I identified where food was being served, and led the kids into the dining area. Kenzie wasn’t there, so I was safe to stand by the door and watch them get into line. I kept an eye and an ear on them, making sure they weren’t plotting. Not that Chicken Little was a plotter, but the Heartbroken as a whole…

Stopping the Titans is hard enough without us falling apart all the time, I thought.

Mostly they were just trying to figure out what was going on, by the sound of it. This had to be the most exhausting day for them.

“Lookout is in her workshop.”

I turned and looked at Natalie. Then I decided to step outside to chat with her instead of the two of us standing in the open doorway while people filed in.

“Good,” I said. “Good distraction.”

“She’s upset, I think. Hard to tell.”

I nodded.

“I saw you come in through the window. I figured I’d get updates before going back.”

“Tattletale is talking to Rachel. Other kids are banned from the stable, at least for now. They’re upset but still digesting.”

Natalie nodded. The orange light from the building interior reflected on her lenses.

“I don’t know how we’re going to handle everything,” I said, quiet.

“No idea,” Natalie said. “Let me know what I can do.”

“Question’s been bugging me,” I said, not taking my eyes off the kids, searching them for any sign of rising anger, frustration, or anything that might indicate I needed to step in. For now they seemed content to be getting an early dinner and talk amongst themselves.

“I could try answering if it’s a legal question,” Natalie said.

“Not legal. Human question.”

“You are human, Victoria.”

“But I’m too close to powers,” I told her. “At least, I might be. I asked my old boss from the Patrol how they were able to stay so calm and together when everything went to shit like this.”

“Oh?” Natalie asked. “I don’t… no idea, sorry.”

“And I asked a friend, and he told me that the answer would have offended me or something? Which doesn’t sound like him or my old boss.”

We watched as the kids filled up their plates with stuff from the buffet-style serving area, then made their way to a bench. Candy said something and the group of them looked up at me.

Natalie didn’t seem to have my answer, so I motioned for the door, “Want to get a bite to eat?”

“I think I know what it might be,” she said. “But I don’t want to sound like a bitch.”

“Really?” I asked, exasperated.