CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND FORTY – FUTURE ANXIETY

"Honestly?" she began haltingly. "As much of a relief as putting that...that monster behind bars should be, I can't seem to fully embrace it. Like I'm still bracing for the next torment, the next violation to come crashing through our defenses when we least expect it." Lance made a small noise of protest, but Kayla pressed on, needing to exorcise this kernel of anxiety that had taken root. "I logically know the precautions you've put in place should be virtually impregnable," she said carefully. "The security parameters, the background checks, all of it has been absolutely airtight in governance if not in practice..." "But?" Dr. Elias prompted gently, sensing there was a deeper hesitance lingering. Kayla's shoulders slumped slightly. "But I can't seem to silence that nagging little voice in the back of my mind. The one that wonders if it's all really enough - if any measure could ever finally, definitively secure us from the depraved depths of human mania." She felt Lance tense be