More fleshing out for the characters! Plus, any attempt to explain 'Fallen Kingdom' ramifications would've been nice.

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"I turned them loose."

Henry looked up from where he had left Maisie to think. She hadn't looked at him, even he'd prodded- gently- to withdraw a vial from her arm. A few years ago, he would've been on his third sample. Even more so, with the locusts still flying free. But he wasn't pressing, not with this. Her birth should've been the waking moment. It only drove a wedge between Sir Lockwood and his daughter... I was just too excited to notice.

He needed to notice now, if he wanted hope of fixing any of it.

Maisie's head lulled against Beta's cage. "All I remember is that I needed to act. I needed to feel control; like, I might be able to..."

Her eyes changed, drifting to the ceiling. Henry followed her gaze but blinked away at the harsh lighting that kept all the details of the lab crystal clear.

"There's a bulb for my bedroom." Maisie traced along the age with her finger for Beta to follow. "We live in a cabin and Owen decided on two bulbs to preserve the generator. One in the kitchen, one in my room." She faced Henry straight on. "None in theirs. If it's too dark, they light a candle."

Henry shifted on the stool, feeling out of place. Engaging with science on an emotional level, it was never a consideration.

"It's been that way ever since he and Claire took me in," Maisie wiped her red and swollen nose again. ""They're my parents because of what I did. They hide because of me...When they could've been fighting poachers, living in a real house..." Her eyes squeezed shut as though to steady herself. "maybe they'd have their own kids if- if all the attention wasn't on me"

The pieces fell into focus. Henry leaned back, bolder with the clarity. "They deserve your thanks."

"They deserve something!" Maisie burst out, startling Beta and the other specimens. Maisie stalled, sharing a look with Beta. "And I have no way to do it. At some point... it was either feel the anger or the guilt. Anger's easier for some reason."

Wallowing too. Henry understood his role then and unexpectedly, his heart embraced it. "Perhaps we both need to let past sins go. I'm noticing my mistakes now... the locusts, among others. And I'm determined to correct them."

He eyed the large locust again, long enough for Maisie's attention. "Understand that you're a success, Maisie. Your DNA is completely disease free. You are proof of what can be accomplished."

"And stop them." Maisie's head cocked to the dissected bug. Henry nodded. "I'm sure that you want to help, but I won't press if something is too uncomfortable-"

"Henry," Dodgson's sudden, softly-irritating voice entered through the sliding doors. "What's the status?"

Maisie straightened, prompting similar alertness from Beta. Henry sighed, already feeling the headache. "Will it all you want, Mr. Dodgson, a pathogen doesn't appear out of thin air."

"That would imply you're working on one." Dodgson gestured to the cameras that scoped every inch of the lab. "Nearly two hours have gone by."

He eyed Maisie, rocking on his heels, hands in his pockets. It was his inspection mode, where he felt he could see and predict the answers of what was in front of him. Henry couldn't argue what he had built Biosyn into. Clearly though, it was blinding him to everything else.

"You've been made aware of our side project?" Dodgson didn't acknowledge the giant locust. "You should be proud." He grinned at Henry, as though in affirmation. "This is what it's all about now. Playtime's over, no more parks. Instead, real world problems."

"That you created." Maisie flat out accused, standing by now. Dodgson shook his head, adjusting his glasses. "A mishap; unfortunate, but there. With you, it will be quick fix."

"And after?" Maisie prodded, though Henry was sure she knew better. Dodgson gave a side smile. He was often impressed when young people were assertive. he stepped up to her, a hand going to her shoulder. "There are many possibilities ahead-"

"I want to go home." Maisie stopped him, sticking out her chin. "You can't pretend that what you did was right."

"This is where you're supposed to be." Dodgson gave a condescending pat on her shoulder. "You weren't created for normal, Miss Lockwood. You're a part of progress, regardless what your grandfather wanted."

Maisie's ramrod posture broke, her arm giving a swift swipe. Henry stared, baffled, at the knife in her hand. Dodgson fell back, feeling along his torso and arms. Maisie's eyes were afire, giving the handle a comfortable twist. "Owen says progress can bite back."

Dodgson eyed Henry desperately; what did he expect him to do? Henry found the exchange the most amusing thing in a long time. Dodgson regained himself, reaching toward Maisie. "Give me that."

"No." she snapped, flipping it back into her pocket. Dodgson masked his anger with amusement, turning toward Henry. "Can we talk a minute."

Henry nodded; like he had a choice.