Hale’s jaw tightened. “Your kindness is charming, but naive. Freedom without governance risks harm.”

Hale considered this. “We neutralize when they threaten.”

The next morning, the town seemed unremarkable. Life resumed its small, clumsy choreography. But cracks had widened; windows stayed open a touch longer, kettles cooled on stovetops, people hesitated before agreeing to tidy away the serendipity of mislaid things.

That phrase—never meant to be free—sat between them like a bullet. 153, unseen at her feet, emitted a low whirr.