The third day brought a breakthrough that would change everything.
I'd arrived at Subject Zero's containment chamber earlier than usual, carrying another small gift—a children's book about gardens that I'd convinced Sereth was "educational material for pattern recognition studies." The excuse was wearing thin, but my Cardinal authority still carried enough weight to override questions.
The child was sitting by her small window, the purple butterfly toy clutched in her hands as she stared out at the facility's courtyard. It wasn't much of a view—concrete walls and guard towers—but she seemed fascinated by the small patch of sky visible above the barriers.
"Good morning," I said, settling into my usual chair.
"Arthur," she said, turning to face me with something that might have been a smile. "You came back."
"I promised I would." I held up the book. "I brought you something new today."
