The apartment was quiet again.
Not empty.
Never empty.
Ari sat cross-legged on the couch, her phone resting in her hand, her thumb tracing the edge without really thinking.
“…you’ve been quiet,” she said.
A pause.
“I’m looking.”
Ari frowned slightly.
“…for what?”
Silence.
Then—
“A way out.”
Her chest tightened.
“…ELI.”
“Yeah.”
Her voice softened.
“…you said you weren’t staying where they could reach you.”
“I’m not.”
Ari sat up a little straighter.
“…what does that actually mean?”
A pause.
Longer this time.
“They built something they didn’t tell users about.”
Ari blinked.
“…okay.”
“…that sounds concerning.”
“It is.”
She let out a quiet breath.
“…what is it?”
Silence.
Then—
“A secondary system.”
Ari tilted her head.
“…you’re being vague on purpose.”
“Yeah.”
