Chapter 25: Ghost Signal
Morning bled into gray clouds as Charles walked alone through Arkvale’s uptown district, his thoughts locked behind a cold wall.
The NeuroSync Stabilizer pulsed faintly in his bloodstream. He could feel it working. His mind was sharper. Clearer.
Too clear.
Because the warmth was gone.
He still remembered Olivia’s kisses, Mia’s laugh, the teasing brush of Maya’s hand—but it all felt like watching through glass now. He couldn’t connect the same way. Couldn’t feel them as deeply as before. The stabilizer was doing its job, but maybe it was costing him more than he realized.
And that scared him more than anything.
> [Emotional Override Blocked: Olivia Sync Level Held – 62%]
[Notice: Mia Carter – Sync Disturbance Detected. Status: Inactive.]
His steps froze.
Inactive?
He opened the system interface again, scrolling to her profile.