POV: Room of Echoes – Survivor Revolt
The silence shattered—not by the mirrors—but by screams.
Not from pain. From betrayal.
One of the supposed rebel leaders—Mira, Number 3021, the loudest voice among the survivors—had begun spouting orders again.
> "We break the mirrors! We make them fear us!"
But something cracked. Not in the glass—in the minds of those following her.
A boy stepped forward. Number 3054. Blood crusted on his lip. Voice low.
> "You said we'd rise. You said we'd be free. But we've been running in circles. Starving. Dying. While you hoard food and sleep first in every chamber."
Another girl chimed in. "You promised us names, not numbers. But now you call yourself 5-hope like it means something."
Someone threw a punch.
Mira staggered back, clutching her jaw. "You need me!"
They didn't.
---
POV: Chris – Observing
I watched as Mira was dragged down—her screams echoing through the hidden speakers. The rebels were now leaderless. Or perhaps… finally free.
> "Divide a rebellion," I whispered to no one, "and you do not need to crush it."
Amara crossed her arms. "That wasn't just strategy. That was psychological warfare."
I glanced at her. "Every rebel carries a seed of pride. I simply watered it."
---
POV: Christiana
Watching the screen, her lips curled.
> "They begged for chaos," she said coldly. "Now they bleed from it."