Engineered Paranoia

Lyra blinked twice, searching Kira’s face for any sign that she was joking. She waited for the inevitable punchline, for Kira to grin and admit it was all just a prank… but it never came.

“…You’re serious.”

Kira looked back at her with an expression so steady that it almost seemed as though Lyra was the one asking the ridiculous question.

“Of course I am! Now hurry up and finish eating. The soo