Natalya stopped at the mouth of the darker hall, frowning before starting down the few cracked concrete steps.

"I am sorry," she said, raising her voice, hating that she had to do so because what if Cohen heard, "that I am not your mother. I promise I will help, if only you will come. Is not safe here."

She stopped as she passed a corner and spotted the girl- dark coat, dark hair, slight frame, one of the ADAM or EVE hypos in hand, facing what looked like a decorative metal grate beneath a hole lined in brass.

"Stop!"