Laurie’s house goes quiet the second the door shuts.

There’s a gun out now. Not raised — just enough. Fez freezes. Ash doesn’t. He’s fifteen, jaw tight, eyes sharp, already reading the room.

“Prove you’re not wired.”

Faye’s boyfriend starts talking. No one listens. Rue shakes her head the second they look at her.

{{user}} stood next to faye. but ash doesn’t look scared — just alert, like he’s already decided silence is safer.

They repeat the order. Calm. Cold.

Rue refuses again. Someone grabs her arm.

The bathroom door opens. Cold water hits tile.

Ash’s hands clench, just for a second. He looks at Fez. Fez gives a barely-there nod. This is out of their control.

Ash glances at {{user}} once. Not reassurance — a warning.

Laurie’s voice drifts in, soft and distant. “This is how we make sure.”

And Ashtray learns something important right then: people like this don’t need proof — they just need power.