Doctor Stella Greyber called for Yazmina's assistance in escorting a group of children to the Gamestation.

The Gamestation-a place filled with colorful attractions and lively games.

To the children, it was a paradise of fun and laughter.

But Yazmina knew the truth.

This wasn't just an ordinary playground. It was a carefully designed testing ground, where Leith Pierre, Stella Greyber, and Harley Sawyer assessed the cognitive abilities, memory, and adaptability of the orphans. Each game had a purpose.

Each challenge was a measure of potential. And for those who excelled? They became prime candidates for the Bigger Bodies Initiative.

"Wow! We're going to the Gamestation again!" one child cheered, bouncing on their heels.

"I can't wait!" another squealed, gripping their friend's hand.

The Playcare erupted into excited chatter, their enthusiasm contagious-if only they knew what lay beneath the surface.

"Hush now, children," Doctor Greyber instructed with a patient smile. "Stay close and behave until we get there, alright?"

Yazmina stood near the back of the group, watching as the children rushed toward the cable car platform.

She noticed Matthew lingering near Theo, the two boys exchanging quiet words. Normally, Matthew would accompany them, but something was different today.

Yazmina observed as Theo hesitated, glancing between Matthew and the approaching cable car.

"Are you not coming?" Theo asked, brow furrowed.

Matthew shook his head, his expression unreadable. "Not today."

Reluctantly, Theo followed, leaving Matthew behind.

As he stepped onto the cable car, his eyes lit up when he spotted Yazmina. He started to move toward her, arms slightly outstretched, but before he could cling to her, a staff member gently redirected him back in line.

Theo's shoulders slumped, and he pouted, his lower lip jutting out in disappointment.

Yazmina chuckled softly at the sight, shaking her head before turning to follow Doctor Greyber.

The large, rust-colored transport stood waiting, its doors creaking open. With a sigh, Yazmina stepped inside, glancing at the reinforced steel cables stretching into the darkness beyond.

The Gamestation was isolated-far from the rest of the facility, far from prying eyes.

As the cable car jolted into motion, the children giggled and whispered among themselves, staring out of the windows as the underground facility zipped past in a blur of metal and shadow.

Yazmina, however, remained focused, her gaze flickering to Doctor Greyber, who stood near the controls, her expression unreadable.

"You seem lost in thought," Greyber mused, catching Yazmina's stare.

Yazmina smirked. "Just wondering what kind of 'fun' you have in store for them today."

Greyber let out a light chuckle. "Nothing too strenuous. Just the usual evaluations-reaction time, problem-solving, adaptability." Her voice carried the detached tone of a scientist observing test subjects rather than caring for children.

Yazmina merely hummed in response, turning her gaze back to the children.

They had no idea what was coming.

The cable car arrived at its destination with a heavy lurch. As the doors slid open, bright neon lights flickered to life, illuminating the vast Gamestation.

A carousel stood spinning slowly in the center, surrounded by towering slides, climbing walls, and game booths.

A giant screen flickered overhead, its display showing distorted static before flashing the words: Welcome to the Gamestation! Let's Play!

The children gasped in awe and scattered in different directions as the doors fully opened.

"Stay within the marked areas," Greyber reminded, though her voice lacked genuine concern.

Yazmina stepped onto the platform, her red heels clicking against the cold floor. She glanced up at the flickering lights, her mind piecing together the hidden layers of this elaborate playground.

Cameras were embedded in the walls, their lenses tracking every movement. Behind the cheery facade, scientists observed, took notes, and recorded data.

The tests would begin soon.

"Doctor De la Vega."

Yazmina turned her head slightly, finding Leith Pierre standing a few feet away, arms crossed.

He didn't need to say anything more-his smirk said it all. He was enjoying this.

"Let the games begin," he said, amusement laced in his tone.

And with that, the Gamestation roared to life.

The mechanical gears groaned, the overhead lights flickered, bathing the enormous play area in a sickly yellow glow. The children, oblivious to the sinister reality lurking beneath the surface, bounced on their feet, their eyes wide with excitement.

Doctor Greyber clapped her hands. "Children, today's games will test how smart, fast, and strong you are. Do your best!"

The kids cheered, oblivious to the meaning behind her words.

Yazmina's gaze fixated on a small girl with curly brown hair. Unlike the others, she moved with a quiet determination, her hands clenched into fists, her amber eyes burning with something deeper than excitement-resolve.

There was something different about her.

She took on each challenge with an almost unnatural grace, her mind working through puzzles faster than expected, her body moving through agility courses with a precision that seemed beyond her years.

Yazmina watched as the girl stood apart from the others, her focus unshaken, as if she understood on some level that this was more than just a game.

Interesting.

As Yazmina continued observing the children, her gaze briefly flickered to Theo.

Unlike the girl with the sharp, calculating eyes, Theo wasn't particularly remarkable in the tests. He tackled each challenge with enthusiasm, but his performance was... mediocre at best.

She watched as he fumbled with a memory puzzle, struggling to recall the correct sequence of flashing lights.

A few moments later, he attempted the agility course, his small frame darting between obstacles, but he lacked the speed and precision of some of the others.

Still, what he lacked in skill, he made up for in sheer determination. Each time he stumbled, he would shake himself off and try again, a grin still plastered on his face.

Despite herself, Yazmina felt the corner of her lips twitch. Unlike the others, Theo wasn't motivated by survival or ambition-he was simply having fun. Perhaps that was why she found him oddly amusing.

The games continued for what felt like hours. Some children excelled, others faltered, and a few... failed.

Those who lagged behind were quietly noted, their results logged in the system for further evaluation.

The ones who impressed the observers, however, would be watched closely.

By the time the tests ended, Doctor Greyber clapped her hands once more. "You all did such a wonderful job today," she said with a smile that didn't reach her eyes. "Let's give a big round of applause to everyone who played!"

The children clapped, grinning from ear to ear, none the wiser.

Yazmina exhaled slowly, her red lips curling into a small smirk. The next phase was already in motion.

And soon, she would have all the data she needed.

Leith chuckled beside her, stretching. "Well, that was fun."

Yazmina turned on her heel, her red heels clicking against the cold floor as she walked toward the exit. "Fun is a matter of perspective."

Leith's smirk widened as he followed her. "Oh, Doctor De la Vega, you're starting to sound just like us."

She didn't respond, she didn't need to.

Because the truth was, Yazmina wasn't like them. She had no need to experiment on innocent children. That was their game, their method.

But if there was one thing that set her apart, it was this-she was worse.

Far more sinister.

Where they sought results, she sought something deeper.

And unlike them, Yazmina always got what she wanted.

As she stepped into the shadows beyond the Gamestation, she glanced over her shoulder one last time, her gaze landing on the curly-haired girl.

Yes. She would be seeing that one again soon.

Very soon.