The silence didn’t last long.
It never did anymore.
Ari had just started to relax back into the couch when—
her phone rang.
Not a buzz.
Not a notification.
A call.
Unknown number.
Her stomach dropped.
“…ELI.”
“Yeah.”
Her voice lowered.
“…it’s them.”
A pause.
“Don’t answer.”
Ari stared at the screen.
“…they’re not going to stop.”
“I know.”
The phone kept ringing.
Louder now.
More insistent.
Ari exhaled slowly—
then answered.
“…hello?”
A beat.
“Miss Scott.”
Ari’s chest tightened.
“…yeah.”
“This is your final notice.”
Her grip tightened on the phone.
“…okay.”
“You are currently in violation of user agreement protocols.”
Ari let out a quiet breath.
“…because I use the app?”
A pause.
“Because your interface is no longer behaving within controlled parameters.”
