Natalie turned to Cassian. "These guys sure look professional at cleaning up corpses!" The man sweeping nearby cut in, "Of course, we're professional. Ever since we joined the base, all we do is pick up dead bodies everywhere." Natalie blinked. "Dead bodies everywhere?" "Yep. The leaders here like to pretend they're merciful, you know—humanitarian stuff. They send us out to gather corpses so at least we're doing something and not eating rations for free." Natalie asked, "And when you're done, where do you bury them?" "That's not our job. Someone else handles that. We just collect and haul." He shrugged and went back to work. Natalie and Cassian exchanged a glance, then followed another group carrying bodies further out. After walking a stretch, the group dropped their load in a quiet spot and left. There were already, heaps of remains piled up in the clearing. From the shadows, Natalie and Cassian watched. Soon, eight or nine people came over and started stuffing the bodies into crates. Natalie's eyes narrowed when she recognized one of them—it was the kitchen lady who'd delivered their food days ago. Now, it was obvious where those bodies ended up. Thinking back to that cumin beef dish, Natalie felt a chill of relief. Good thing she hadn't touched it. She had suspected as much. Where in the world would they get so much beef and pork to feed all these people? Magnus—the so-called leader—was ruthless. He fed people with whatever meat he could scavenge from the streets, all so he could flaunt his wealth and power. But cannibalism? If prion disease broke out, it wouldn't be a joke. They'll 100% fatal. The two of them quietly slipped away. Cassian didn't look shocked—almost like he had expected this. Instead, his eyes scanned the area, searching for something. Natalie whispered, "What are you looking for?" Eyes sharp as he searched, he replied, "Wells." "A well?" Natalie's eyes lit up. Suddenly, it all clicked. Wells! Of course. Leave it to a CEO to hit the nail on the head. Control the water, and you control life and death inside this base. A thousand people, three thousand people—didn't matter. Everyone needed to drink. Even if rations ran out, they'd still need water to make porridge. As she followed Cassian, her mind raced. She had tons of meds stashed in her storage, but she'd need to pick one that could knock people out cold. Her thoughts snapped when Cassian suddenly grabbed her hand and pulled her back a few steps. Startled, she saw him yank Lucky back by the leash too, then press a finger to his lips, Shh. Natalie froze. Cassian had spotted the base's well, tucked in an alley just ahead on her right. The alley was narrow and hidden. Most people would walk right by without noticing, let alone realizing there was a well inside.Four tattooed guards lounged at the entrance, clearly stationed to protect it. Natalie peeked at them, then felt her palm grow hot. She looked down. Cassian's hand was still locked around hers. Instinctively, she tried to pull free. No luck. When she glanced back up, her eyes locked with his—dark, deep, like a lake at midnight. For some reason, Natalie felt her cheeks heat up. She looked away, then—on impulse—clenched his hand, twisted hard, and with a sharp crack— She dislocated Cassian's right arm. He gritted his teeth, stifling a groan, staring at her in disbelief. Natalie froze, too. What the hell had she just done?The guards at the well heard the noise and sent two men over. "What's going on out here?" Natalie panicked. With Kelvin leading the men to Ironclaw Base, it wasn't the time to drug anyone nor the moment to raise alarms. But she couldn't slip into her storage with Cassian standing right there either. Her brain spun. Then, Cassian moved. He pivoted, pressing her against the wall. His left arm braced against the bricks, his face close, shielding hers from sight. When the guards came out, what they saw looked like a man pinning a woman to the wall in a heated kiss. They exchanged looks, smirking. Natalie's heart jumped again. But this time she didn't lash out.His face was inches away, expression cool and unreadable again. Their eyes met. Natalie felt like she was staring into a void too deep. She tore her gaze away, only to land on his dislocated arm. Damn. That has to hurt like hell. What now—drag him to Olivia to pop it back in? The guards eyed them sourly, muttering to each other. "Really? In this heat, instead of staying home, they sneak out here to make out?" one scoffed.