Stanley's POV
Nolan's hands raced over the keyboard, his eyes locked on Serena's system like he was in a fight. He was so focused the air was thickening. I stood by and saw the numbers roll down the screen, green lines shooting up and down, blinking symbols that meant nothing to me. I stayed back but my chest was tight. It was like observing a storm through glass, unable to prevent it, unable to alter anything.
Serena sat stiffly beside me. Her arms were wrapped tightly around herself as though she was scared of falling apart. I'd seen her fight before. I'd seen her be fierce and stubborn, fire in her eyes, unshakeable even when things fell apart. But now she looked small. Smaller than I'd ever realized before.
Her lips moved and I figured for a moment that she was simply mouthing words
