Meanwhile, Jean lifted her eyes to Bruce's screen. She stared for a long, long moment, her gaze unreadable.
Then, softly enough that only those closest heard her, she whispered, "...Do you think he'll fight her too?"
The room stiffened. Recruits exchanged glances filled with dread. "...Maybe," someone managed, voice thin. "It's Bruce. He fought everyone else."
"Yeah, but..." another murmured, rubbing his arms as if cold, "those two were... pretty close. Back then in the lobby here."
"Maybe Sophie was waiting for the last person standing," someone else said, voice wavering. "Now that it's Bruce, things could turn out different. Maybe they'll just let the timer run out."
"That would be the smart thing," another added quickly, eager, desperate. "Even if she's strong, Bruce is... Bruce."
Lucen dragged a hand down his face, rubbing his temples as if trying to massage reason into the situation. "Or maybe," he said, voice heavy, "Sophie came into this trial for only one reason. Him."
