Back at it Again (One-on-One)

Val debated inwardly for a moment before setting her jaw.

"No. We can't stop."

 

"We're trying to figure out why your daughter, and thousands of people like her died, Francis," Val said quietly. "We've found some really disturbing things. People are already getting hurt."

 

She frowned at him.

"If this is really our fault, then Poppy knew something, Francis. She figured something out that she shouldn't have. If this is going to mean anything, we're going to need to know what it was."

 

"But if she does wake up," she pushed. "If she does, we need to talk to her."

 

"Good," Val said, straightening up. "Thank you."

 

"We will," she said. She paused before speaking.

"She'll be okay, you know. Poppy's tough. She'll be fine."

 

"She will. You'll see."

She turned and began to walk away, placing her helmet over her head.

 

Val's face was etched with concern.

"There was a fire," she told him quietly. "I don't think it was an accident."

 

"Yeah. I do. No one else got hurt except for Poppy."

 

"She had the timer," Val said, wrapping her arms around herself to try and squeeze the guilt she felt out of her belly. "And she figured something out about it."