Chapter 17: The Signal Behind Her Smile
The city shimmered in silver under the moonlight, a soft breeze rustling across the rooftop where Charles stood alone, his shirt half-buttoned and his thoughts spiraling like smoke from the cigarette he wasn’t actually smoking.
The system had gone quiet.
No pings. No glowing interface. Just silence.
And that scared him more than anything.
"System?" he muttered aloud. "You there?"
Nothing.
Not even the faint hum he had grown used to. It was like someone had cut the connection.
Then, a chime. Soft. Subtle.
> [Warning: Anomaly Detected Near Bonded Target – Mia]
Charles straightened immediately, tension snapping into his limbs like a blade drawn too fast. "Show me."
> [Target Location: Mia’s Dormitory] [Potential Threat Level: Unknown] [Sync Status: Interference Detected]