She visited the orphanage gate alone at dusk. A new guard watched her too closely. Through the bars, she saw Mira again, pressing her hand to the fence, then pulling back fast. A staff member nearby said sharply, “Inside, now.” The girl had been trained comply with the rules.
That image broke Nina’s caution. She called her editor. “I’m putting it out with the training file. Full disclaimers. If they sue, we will fight with their own words.” He paused long. “You are betting your career.” “I bet it every time I wait,” she said. “Nine days. We cannot wait any longer.”