Chapter 12: A Name Left Behind

The briefing room smelled like coffee and cold metal.

Grayson stood near the whiteboard, red strings of data weaving between mugshots and maps.

> “They’ve been targeting supply routes for six months,” he explained.

“High-value AI components. Military-grade. Our job is to find their warehouse and shut it down before it goes dark.”

Rook sat near the end of the table.

Still in her new coat. Still quiet.

Cain and Vera took notes.

Oren leaned back, flipping a pen through his fingers.

> “We have one captured member already,” Grayson added.

“Low-level grunt. Says he knows where the gear’s stored.”

He looked at Rook and Oren.

> “You two. Go see what he really knows.”

---

Interrogation Room – One Hour Later

The man was lanky, mid-30s, neck tattoos, jittery hands.

> “I’m not talking,” he said.

> “You will,” Oren muttered.

Rook sat again on the floor, staring at the man, not speaking. Watching.

The suspect’s eyes kept twitching toward her.

> “You… you’re with them now?” he asked suddenly.

She didn’t move.

> “Didn’t think you’d crawl out of that place alive. I heard what happened.”

Oren narrowed his eyes.

> “You know her?”

The man laughed bitterly.

> “Know her? I watched her grow up behind rusted fences and locked grates.

She was the mute little rat who kept everyone’s secrets.”

Rook’s gaze sharpened.

Still no emotion.

But something in her fingers clenched.

> “Never thought I’d see you, of all people, working for the ‘good guys.’

They don’t even know your real name, do they?”

He grinned, teeth yellow.

Then said it:

> “Hello again, Elishka.”

The room froze.

Oren turned.

> “Rook…?”

She didn’t answer.

Didn’t breathe.

The man kept laughing.

> “Still wear black like a ghost. Still can’t look people in the eye.

You can change your name, girl — but you’re still the bastard daughter of—”

Rook stood up.

No expression. No noise.

She walked toward him, step by step.

Oren tensed.

But she didn’t hit the man.

Didn’t raise her voice.

Just stared down at him and said quietly:

> “You’ve said enough.”

The air shifted.

Even the suspect fell silent.

---

Outside the Room

Rook walked out first.

Oren followed a few seconds later.

> “Elishka?” he asked.

She kept walking.

> “Rook—”

> “That’s not my name.”

> “Then what is?”

> “I don’t remember.”

> “But he—”

> “He thinks he remembers.

People always want to trap you in what you were.”

Oren fell quiet beside her.

> “Is it true?” he finally asked.

> “I was someone else once.”

She didn’t stop walking.

> “And she didn’t survive.”

---

End of Chapter 12