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CHAPTER 67: THE MASK CRACKS 2

  (Viewpoint: Alpha-1)

  He turns on his heel.

  Disappears into the shadows.

  I remain alone, intrigued by his action.

  What became of you?

  Silence returns.

  Slowly

  I remain motionless.

  The greenish water runs down my boots and coat.

  – That's strange

  I feel nothing

  – …

  I close my eyes and breathe out

  I take off my coat and throw it aside

  [REPORT IN PROGRESS]

  Bluish lines appear in front of me.

  [ROUM SUBJECT: LOST LOCATION]

  – [CAPTURE FAILED]

  – [END OF MY MISSION]

  [ CONTINUE]

  - [ NEGATIVE]

  [THAT'S AN ORDER]

  I fixate on the words.

  A long time.

  Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

  Too long.

  - Canceled.

  [ARE YOU DISOBEYING?]

  - Cancel .

  A while.

  [ARCHIVED REPORT]

  The system obeys.

  As always.

  But this time…

  I feel like things are slipping out of my control.

  Even though I have the time, theirs is limited and it's suffocating me.

  I'm moving forward.

  Zone 9 is quiet.

  Death.

  Collapsed structures. Broken screens. Old interfaces still lit up, broadcasting messages that are no longer useful to anyone.

  “Welcome.” “Security guaranteed.” “Stable area.”

  I run my hand along a wall.

  It is rough.

  Cold.

  Imperfect.

  Nothing to do with the center.

  Nothing to do with my garden.

  Nothing to do with my world.

  And yet…

  Of his own accord.

  – (I could just finish now)

  I whisper without realizing it.

  Walking in the dark corridor

  – Rome…….

  It echoed in the eco

  Stopping in front of the escalator

  His gaze

  Her hands were trembling.

  His voice.

  She bent down, observing the footprints on the ground.

  [PRIORITY CONNECTION]

  Vibra son interface

  I sigh.

  - Poster.

  The Old Man's silhouette appears.

  Blurry.

  Tired.

  – You didn’t bring it back.

  – call me about that

  Silence.

  He's looking at me.

  A long time.

  – You're making me doubt myself, I'm starting to hesitate.

  I look away slightly.

  – what does it matter

  His voice is calm.

  But heavy.

  – I couldn't... Not for that long

  I'm closing the communication.

  Without answering.

  And takes the first step.

  One foot after the other, to the grinding of the machine

  The closer I get to the center, the smoother everything becomes.

  Own .

  And calm

  As if Roum had never been there

  I'm starting to wonder if it's me who got lost.

  No trace.

  I find myself in an open space, a terrace filled with tables and chairs, a cafeteria hidden under this dust

  I pull a chair

  I sit down.

  Slowly.

  I don't know what to do.

  So I'm waiting.

  There is no way out at this point.

  TACK !

  A chair collapses

  I jump.

  – Rome …?

  I straighten up, upright, calm.

  Silence.

  Then :

  – aah!

  I feel pressure.

  It was as if I couldn't breathe.

  My license plate is vibrating.

  [SUBJECT IN DANGER]

  [ DANGER]

  [ DANGER]

  [ DANGER]

  [ DANGER]

  An arm tightened around her neck, pulling her along the ground.

  His vision becomes blurry

  And his heart slowed in his chest.

  She grabbed his arm without really struggling.

  – …you're not going to defend yourself?

  the aggressor whispered to him

  [ DANGER]

  [ DANGER]

  [ DANGER]

  [ DANGER]

  The grip becomes violent, leaving her face turning pink and then red.

  But she didn't seem to want to break free

  [ DANGER]

  [ DANGER]

  [ DANGER]

  Then silence.

  The connection drops.

  His arms slipped and fell to the ground

  I am left alone.

  Hanging from his throat.

  Her eyes were wide open, staring into space.

  His heart had stopped beating

  And its interface was black.

  – …

  Sold out.

  I let go of her and move away from her body sprawled on the ground

  – she is dead….

  I whisper

  – I finally killed him

  I get up and brush the dust off my clothes,

  I return to the cafeteria, leaving with a jar full of dust

  Pour, I pour everything on her and the ground covering the entire terrace.

  With my boots I walk delicately above the ground

  I go down and cover the escalator, sealing the entrance again.

  Then I turn around.

  Automatically moving towards the exit.

  I stop in front of a shop window, staring at my reflection in the mirror.

  Blanc.

  Sweating.

  A smile appeared on my face.

  A work of art.

  – …Who am I…

  I whisper.

  She remains.

  It is a pard.

  My heart is beating faster.

  - I'm sorry

  …

  I'm doing it for our dream.

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