CODE. (only the dead escape)

The clock ticked just past midnight.

I thought hard about how I was going to tell Uncle and auntie about my discovery.

'Hey Chris, how do you think uncle and auntie would react?'

No response.

'Chris...Chris!'

Where was he? I can't sense him anywhere. He must be up to something again.

I sat hunched over my desk, scribbling notes from the decoded file when—

BANG!

'Chris?!'

He finally came out, looking horrible.

His glowing form flickered violently, his limbs twitching as static surged through his small body.

'Ah—Harper—something's wrong—!'

Sparks flew. His form contorted, breaking apart and reforming erratically.

I rushed to him. 'What's happening?! Chris?!'

'It's a virus—an attack—from the system—I don't know who's sending it but—'

He screamed again as a black pulse snaked through his body like poison.Chris flickered in and out beside me, his glowing body dimming fast.

'Harper... I think I'm fading... too much energy used opening the seal…'

'No, no, no, don't you dare!'

I dropped the file and grabbed him. He felt so light in my hands, like static wrapped in light.

'I didn't think you'd care,' he said weakly, voice cracking.

'I didn't either, okay?! But you're the only one I've got in this damn world who gets it — so don't go disappearing on me!'

I slammed open my drawer, digging for anything—anything—that could help.

Then I remembered: the energy stabilizer chip my dad once used for his early AIs. It was tucked in the old compass he had gifted me.

I opened it, ripped the chip out, and without hesitation, pressed it into Chris's core.

ZHHHMMM!

The light in Chris's body stabilized. His form stilled. Breathing heavily—if he could breathe—he looked up at me.

'You… you saved me.'

I chuckled breathlessly. 'Of course I did, dummy. I don't let people around me die twice.'

A pause. Then:

'Harper… I… I swear to serve you, protect you, guide you. I pledge my loyalty to you… not just as your system, but as your friend. From this day forward, my life is yours.'

I blinked in surprise.

'Wow. That's dramatic.'

'I'm serious. You risked everything for me.'

I smiled at him, warm.

'You're family now, Chris.'

---

The next morning.

After Chris's scary episode, I was exhausted and we both woke up quite late.

I had my shift in the evening. I had start to save up for Mom's treatment, without her knowledge of course. I wanted to save up enough money for her treatment before letting her know.

I stood near the window of our house, squinting at a dark figure loitering near the street. The same car had driven by twice in ten minutes. The man leaned too far forward… watching.

My instincts screamed.

I walked calmly to the drawer and retrieved my gun, sliding it into my coat pocket.

Just as I was about to step out—

'Harper!!'

Maisie's little feet ran toward me, arms wide.

I barely had time to hide the gun under a cushion before scooping her up.

'Hey, honey. You're up early.'

'Can we go to the park? Please?'

Maisie's eyes sparkled with excitement. 'Lola's going with her big sister. I want to go too.'

'Really?'

'Yeah. You'll go with me today and tomorrow, we'll go hiking!'

'Hiking?!'

'Yes! That way, we can go with Lola and her sister!'

Oh no! This was not a good time for hiking especially not when I have seven days left to find Maisie. If I waste two days out of seven, there will be five days left. How do I find her in such a short time then?

I hesitated.

'Pretty please'

I wanted to refuse but I couldn't say no to that face.

'Alright. Let's go.'

'Yaay!'

***

The sun was high in the sky when we reached the park. I sat on the bench while Maisie played with her friends.

Then, I saw something that made me freeze .

There he was.

'Elias?'

Leaning against a tree. Smiling.

With a girl in his arms.

My brother, cold and withdrawn always, was now laughing softly and hugging a girl like she meant something to him.

'Wow Chris look! I've got a sister in-law?'

'I wonder what your brother is up to'

'Me too'

Then… he looked up.

Right at me.

His eyes widened. I instinctively ducked behind a tree. My heart pounded.

"What the hell was that…?"

Chris whispered beside me.

'Elias never smiles like that. Who is that girl?'

Maisie tugged her hand toward the swings, but my eyes were glued to the man across the park.

He was still hugging the girl. Not romantically. But protectively. Desperately. The kind of hug you give someone you're trying to hide or keep safe.

He looked up.

Our eyes locked.

I froze, my breath caught in my throat.

But instead of acknowledging me, Elias's eyes narrowed — almost like a warning — and he gently pulled the girl behind him, stepping slightly to block my view.

I ducked behind the ice cream kiosk, heart thudding.

Wait a second, why was I hiding? And what the hell was he implying by hiding her so protectively?

'Chris, what the hell is going on?'

'That's not the same Elias we knew. Not completely.'

'I don't know chris. But I have a bad feeling about this.'

***

That evening, immediately after I was done with work, I left for Uncle and aunt's house.

I stood in Uncle Mark and Aunt Samantha's living room, holding the coded file in my hands.

They listened intently as I explained everything — the hidden symbol, the Project Eden files, the number of children, the connection to the mayor.

Uncle Mark looked up from the coffee table, his eyes bloodshot from worry.

'You said you solved it, Harper. What does that mean?'

I placed the coded file gently on the table between them.

'It means I know why Dad died, and I know why Sophie was taken.'

Aunt Samantha slowly looked up, hope flickering behind her tears.

'Dad was onto something — illegal activities inside the government. Human trafficking. Kids like Sophie… being taken. Not just her. There were more. I saw shadows in that photo. Sophie's just one piece.'

Uncle Mark clenched his fists. 'So it wasn't random...'

'No. And it's not everyone in the government. But there's someone high up... someone pulling the strings. That's who I'm going after.'

'…And I've decoded the rest of the file.

Aunt Samantha wiped her eyes. 'So… my Sophie isn't the only one.'

"'No,' I said firmly. 'There are more. But I'm going to find the core of this. The man behind it. I'm getting close, I know it.'

Uncle Mark stared at me, speechless.

My eyes met theirs, unshaking.

Six days more till I find Sophie but until then,.....I need a good plan.