[h3][i]Hunter’s Point South Park
Long Island City, Queens, New York, USA
July 4th, 2023 9:40 PM EDT (Tuesday)[/i][/h3]

Caty wasn't sure if Samira would believe her. If she hadn't been working with Dr. Sterns herself she wouldn't have believed it either. The awkward pause of silence was almost starting to get to her, but she felt relieved once she told her to add her number. So maybe she didn't think she was crazy. That was a plus for this awful day. Caty took Samira's phone and put in her number. They didn't get the chance to talk further before her brother, the guy from earlier, and the rest of the survivors started surrounding them. There was chaos everywhere but in that chaos they all came to her as a beacon or as a source for answers. The area flooded with voices. Voices that were filled with fear, confusion, anger, pain, and sadness. And she couldn't do anything about them. They were drowning out her own thoughts and it felt like the world was tipping over.

A scream more powerful than any of the others caught her attention. It was David. Something was wrong with him, but she couldn't get close to him. They were crowding her but she noticed that Luke and her brother were checking on him. She was relieved to know that he was at least okay for now.

She felt Samira reach for her phone and had almost forgotten that she hadn't given it back yet. She did so and turned back to the crowd that quickly started to grow. This time with news reporters, parademics, and the police. The reporters and camera crew pushed through the crowds seemingly unconcerned with the well-being of the kids caught in the middle of this mess. They wanted answers and they wanted to be the first to get it. They bombarded her with questions while the ambulances were set up to help anyone that needed it. She wasn't expecting or hoping for a lesson in the duality of man when everyone was in danger from a science experiment gone horribly right.

She ignored the voices and questions from the reporters and really everyone. She knew they were scared. She was too but she couldn't think or focus like this. She started to inhale to bring herself together so that she could handle everything, but when she did she felt someone's hand grabbed her arm. She looked to see Samira who thanked her for trying. Those simple words made an impact. They had failed, but even someone who had lost their father here acknowledged that she, her brother, and David did what they could. They dove into the fire unaware if they'd come out alive. Caty still wished they had known about the plan sooner. So many people wouldn't have had to die. She finally exhaled and returned a soft smile to Samira. [color=0244FB]"Thank you."[/color]

The next guest to this party of doom arrived in expert fashion. Their presence commanded attention and dispersal. You knew that once they got involved things were only going to go a certain way. At least it brought a bit more order. The federal agent in charge spoke and people moved into action. The reporters groaned but knew there was nothing they could do at the moment. Others who had been waiting for answers finally left to get themselves checked out. With the crowd effectively dispersing Caty was glad to be able to breathe again.

Agent Castle introduced himself and said that he wanted to speak with her specifically. But it was his last sentence that really caught her attention. Oh Crap Baskets. What was she thinking? Trick question, she wasn't. Her announcement was broadcast and that meant Dr. Sterns and the others probably saw it too. Not only did she and the others expose their plan, but she definitely exposed Grayburn's connection to it. There was no possible way they'd be able to return to the dorms tonight. They were probably already coming up with a way to kill them. And what they target their parents? She had to warn them or...

Caty looked up at Agent Castle and nodded. [color=0244FB]"I'll come with you and answer any questions that I'm able to. But in return you have to help us. I don't think my friends and I are out of the woods."[/color]