Page 162 of Stay Scared

Ash’s mouth hardens.

I drag one of the original technical drawings between us. Narrow service channels run behind the mirrored panels, and a small camera position overlooks the central chamber.

ANALOG BACKUP FOR PROMOTIONAL FOOTAGE is printed beside it.

“The cable run goes toward projection,” I say.

Ash studies the line. “If it survived.”

“We find out.”

“And if it didn’t?”

“Then Owen swears at it until it does.”

A metal case strikes the edge of the table behind me.

Cade has come through the passage with one hand pressed against the bandage beneath his shirt. Owen follows, carrying the battered analog field camera. His eyes go directly to Ash’s old mask.

“You kept it.”

Ash answers before I can. “It remained functional.”

Cade looks between the mask and Ash’s bare face. “Of course that’s why.”

Ash ignores him.

Owen sets the case open. Inside, a compact camera rests beside two reels and a thick coil of cable. Scratches cloud the housing, but the lens is intact.

“The motor runs,” Owen says. “I can’t verify the optics until it’s mounted.”

“Can you patch it through projection?”

“The original gallery line should terminate near the uplink.”

Ash leans over the case. “Rook can still terminate the broadcast.”

“He can cut the transmission. He can’t reach the film after it passes through the camera.”

Cade shifts closer to me. “So what the hell are we doing?”

His tone makes it clear he already dislikes the answer.

I turn the old map toward them. “The false exit beside the center chamber still has a mechanical barrier.”

Cade sees it.

“No.”

The word comes before I finish.

I look at him.

Cade’s injured hand closes into a fist against his side. “You’re planning to walk into that maze alone.”

“I’m walking into the part Rook already wants me in.”

“That’s not fucking better.”