The hallway went quiet.
Too quiet.
The woman stepped closer.
Calm. Confident.
"You're Meher," she said.
Meher's eyes narrowed.
"You already know me."
A faint smile.
"Of course."
Silence.
Aarav's voice came through Meher's earpiece—
"Something's wrong. Get out."
But Meher didn't move.
"Who are you?" she asked again.
The woman tilted her head slightly.
"I'm part of Aurora," she said.
Pause.
"And… part of what you exposed."
Meher's heartbeat slowed.
"Then why aren't you stopping me?" she asked.
The woman's expression changed—
Slightly serious.
"Because I don't agree with them."
Silence.
Aarav's voice again—
"Don't trust her."
Meher ignored it.
"What do you want?" she asked.
The woman stepped closer—
Lowered her voice.
"You're looking for the next layer…"
Pause.
"I can take you there."
Shock.
"Why?" Meher asked.
The woman's eyes darkened.
"Because what's above Aurora…"
A pause.
"…is far worse."
Meher felt a chill.
Behind her—
Footsteps echoed in the hallway.
The woman quickly said—
"Decide fast."
Meher looked at her.
Trust…
Or trap?