A sharp crack, like shattering glass, echoed around the four children. Alex frowned, raising her brows. "What was that sound?" she asked, her gaze sweeping over the three children, who seemed frozen in place, their expressions a mixture of shock and fear. Ignoring their reactions, she straightened her face, adopting a bland, impassive look.
Then, in a slow, deliberate voice, over-emphasizing each syllable with a hint of exasperation, she asked, "There haven't been any strange incidents or unusual substances in the last few cycles. I have no clue what you're talking about. Is there anything else I can assist you with?"
The three of them straightened as well. Zeno, dusting himself off as he rose from the ground, spoke with an unfamiliar sternness. "Those were merely customary questions, standard procedure. We apologize for any inconvenience. Please, continue showing us around."
