The nightmare woke me at 3 AM.
I was back in the research facility, standing in front of the holographic projection. But this time, the projection wasn't the equation. It was Julian. His face was pale, his eyes hollow. He was trying to tell me something, but I couldn't hear his words.
"Leon." His voice was faint, distant. "Leon, listen to me. The equation isn't the enemy. It's a prison. Something is trapped inside it. Something that's been waiting."
I woke up gasping. Sweat soaked through my shirt. The room was dark, silent. But the echoes of Julian's voice lingered.
"Something is trapped inside it."
I sat up and reached for my phone. Elena had given me her number. I dialed it.
"Leon?" Her voice was groggy, confused. "It's 3 AM."
"I know. I need to see you. Now."
She was silent for
