In response, Helen punched him in the face, still holding the watch. The hit wasn’t hard, but it was strong enough to smack Scotty’s head into the pavement as well. She shoved the watch in his face again and yelled louder, “What does this mean?”

Again Scotty didn’t answer.

She punched him once more, head slamming into blacktop.

“The numbers,” she yelled, and punched him again. “What is this countdown for?” She punched him again.

Tears were rolling down Scotty’s cheeks, but still he said nothing.

“His fingers,” Sprite said, knowing the quickest way to get a cypher hack’s attention.