Shadows of Deception

Chapter 58: Shadows of Deception

The soft hum of the apartment's smart walls filled the air as Jadyn stood alone in Zed's room, her AR [Augmented Reality] interface flickering with an unexpected message. The words hung before her eyes, urging her to remain and keep Zed's mother in the dark. A chill ran down her spine, her professional instincts battling with her growing feelings for Zed. Something was wrong, terribly wrong.

Meanwhile, Zed found himself in the sterile hallway of the old training facility, the glowing tattoos of the Terminal transport [a futuristic transportation system] still tingling on his skin. He took a deep breath, centering himself for what was to come. The air crackled with an unseen tension, the weight of unseen eyes pressing down on him.