The morning light finally broke through the clouds.
Jessica sat at the kitchen table staring at her phone long after Micah's last
message faded from the screen. The words still echoed in her mind.
I think it just noticed me.
Not us.
Not the system.
Me.
Jessica rubbed her temples, trying to organize the flood of thoughts
racing through her head. Outside the window, the city had returned to its
normal rhythm. Traffic moved steadily through the streets below, people
hurried to work, and somewhere down the block a construction crew
hammered loudly against steel.
Life continued, completely unaware.
Behind her, the television murmured quietly in the living room where Ellie
sat cross-legged on the floor watching cartoons.
Jessica glanced towards the hallway.
For the first time
