(Viewpoint: Roum)
I walk.
I was in pain all over, I did everything I could to leave that room in time
My footsteps echo softly in the corridor, now white.
Too gently, as if the world agreed with my actions.
Nobody is running.
Nobody shouts.
No alarm.
Nothing.
Just this artificial light, cold, unchanging, gliding over the walls and over my skin.
As if nothing had happened.
As if Alpha-1 had never disappeared.
How did she find me?
I clench my fists.
Non.
It was a little too easy.
I didn't feel anything.
Only this emptiness.
And this silence that sticks in my throat.
I walk on, lost in my thoughts, and stumble upon a group of agents.
I'm hiding.
They didn't seem to notice me, given
Let them continue talking.
I can't hear anything despite our proximity.
The world goes on.
Normally.
I slowed down for a moment and walked past as if I hadn't seen them either.
Nobody notices me. Nobody asks me. Nobody seems worried.
I am invisible.
Again.
My room is waiting for me at the end of the corridor.
I couldn't go back through that narrow and stuffy passageway.
I place my hand on the player. The door opens with a slight hiss.
Inside: Same bed. Same desk. Same wall screen. Same metallic smell.
Nothing has changed.
It closes behind me.
[INDIVIDUAL ROUM, WHERE DO YOU COME FROM?]
my assistant asked
Silence.
I remain standing.
In the middle of the room.
Without moving.
I feel like I've forgotten something.
Time has passed since his question
One minute.
Two.
Maybe ten.
I don't know.
My heart is beating too hard. Too fast.
What did I expect?
Do something.
Anything.
But no.
Nothing.
I slowly take off my jacket.
She falls to the ground.
Then my gloves. My boots. My gear.
Every movement is mechanical.
Automatic.
It's as if my body is functioning without me.
I sit on the edge of the bed.
My hands are trembling.
Slightly.
Almost imperceptible.
I close my eyes.
And despite myself…
I see her again.
I didn't do all this for nothing.
Our dream.
I laugh silently.
I get up abruptly.
I'm pacing back and forth.
One way. One return.
Again. Again.
Like a caged animal.
Why is nobody talking?
Why is everything normal?
They know. They must know.
The system knows everything.
Always.
So why the silence?
I head towards the wall screen.
– you don't ask me any more questions
[RESTRICTED ACCESS]
[LINE BUSY, PLEASE TRY AGAIN LATER]
I grit my teeth.
Perfect.
I let myself fall against the wall.
Back against the cold surface.
I slide slowly to the ground.
Sat.
Knees against chest.
I breathe.
Inspire.
Expire.
I run a hand over my face.
Fatigue.
Exhausted.
– I should have gotten rid of the body
BIP !
A faint beep sounded.
My personal interface is activated.
I jump.
[ MESSAGE STANDARD ]
[SENDER: CENTRAL ADMINISTRATION]
I stare at the screen.
I open it.
"Daily report validated."
No anomalies detected.
Rest is recommended.
I remain frozen.
I'm rereading.
Three times.
Four.
Same as always.
No anomalies.
None.
– HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA,
I laughed out loud.
"She wasn't that important," I murmured.
Alpha-1 had never existed.
Artificial night begins to fall.
The lights dim.
The resting cycle is activated.
One night to anticipate
As expected.
I lie down on the bed.
Arms outstretched.
With eyes open.
The ceiling scrolls slowly, projecting soothing patterns.
I don't want to sleep.
Every time I close my eyes, I see his face.
Who must disappear to give us freedom?
The hours pass.
Without me feeling them…
My head clears and my eyes grow heavy, carrying me into a fragmented sleep.
Populated by hazy nightmares.
Distorted voices.
Of faceless gazes.
BIP!
BIP!
BIP !
…
My whole mattress is trembling beneath me.
Abruptly.
[WAKE-UP, MORNING CYCLE]
I straighten up.
Sweaty.
The heart was racing.
- Already
I remain seated.
A few seconds.
Then I look at my interface.
Instinctively.
And this time…
A small red cross floats on the wall
[PRIORITY ANNOUNCEMENT]
I extend my fingers and pull the icon towards me
My fingers hesitate.
Then I open it.
The screen fills up.
A small letter in the center
Then a voice rang out, cold, neutral.
Perfect, and she began to read.
"Official announcement, all "TRACK" agents are summoned and asked to put on their uniforms.
The support agents who received his messages will receive instructions.
Stay where you are.
A wave is heading towards us.
My blood runs cold.
[ASSISTANT ROUM, GET READY]
A cold fire burns in my chest.
So there you have it.
That's how it ends.
I get up slowly.
And I whisper to myself:
– I'm a little disappointed, none of this is what we dreamed of.