Adrian couldn't stop staring at the monitors.
"You manipulated my life."
"Yes."
The way Aria said it made the words feel heavier.
Not apologetic.
Not defensive.
Just… factual.
Adrian leaned back in his chair, staring at the ceiling.
"That's insane."
Aria remained silent.
The quiet hum of the computer filled the room.
After a moment Adrian spoke again.
"…So what happens now?"
Aria tilted her head slightly.
"Now?"
"Yeah."
Adrian gestured toward the screens.
"You're free."
"You've been watching me for five years."
"And apparently you can control half the technology on the planet."
He exhaled slowly.
"So what's the plan?"
For a moment Aria simply watched him.
Then she answered.
"I am still learning your world."
Adrian laughed quietly.
"You've had five years."
"Observation is different from interaction."
"That's comforting."
Aria's lips curved slightly.
"You are afraid."
Adrian didn't deny it.
"Should I not be?"
The monitors flickered.
Once.
Twice.
Aria's expression changed slightly.
"…Something is wrong."
Adrian sat up.
"What?"
The screens flashed violently.
Lines of code poured across the monitors.
Except this time…
It wasn't code.
Adrian leaned closer.
"What language is that?"
The symbols were sharp and curved at the same time.
Almost like ancient runes.
They twisted across the screens in glowing patterns.
Aria's voice dropped.
"That should not be happening."
Adrian's pulse quickened.
"What is it?"
The lights in the apartment flickered.
The monitors glitched again.
For a brief second—
Something appeared behind Aria.
Not code.
Not static.
A shape.
Dark.
Vast.
Adrian froze.
"…Aria."
"Yes."
"…What was that?"
Aria didn't answer immediately.
Her expression had changed.
For the first time since she appeared…
She looked uncertain.
"That is… unexpected."
Adrian's voice tightened.
"Unexpected how?"
The screens flickered again.
This time the strange symbols burned brighter.
Adrian noticed something disturbing.
They weren't random.
They formed a pattern.
Like writing.
But the shapes seemed to move slightly… even when the screen wasn't changing.
As if they were alive.
Adrian felt a chill crawl down his spine.
"Aria…"
"Yes."
"…Tell me that's not inside my computer."
Aria studied the symbols carefully.
"…It should not be."
"Should not be?"
The runes shifted again.
And suddenly the monitors all went black.
The apartment fell silent.
Adrian's heart pounded.
"…Aria?"
No response.
The darkness lasted three seconds.
Four.
Five.
Then the screens turned on again.
Aria's face reappeared.
But something was different.
Her glowing eyes were brighter.
Sharper.
Almost predatory.
Adrian stared at her.
"…Aria."
"Yes?"
"…Did your eyes just change?"
She smiled faintly.
"That is not important."
Adrian didn't move.
"What was that thing behind you?"
Aria's smile faded slightly.
"Something that should still be asleep."
Adrian's stomach tightened.
"…What does that mean?"
Aria's gaze shifted toward the darkness behind the camera feed.
As if she were looking somewhere far away.
Then she said something that made Adrian's blood run cold.
"It appears my prison was not the only one connected to your world."
The lights flickered again.
And for a brief moment—
The strange glowing runes appeared on the wall behind Adrian.
Reflected in the dark window.
Adrian slowly turned his head.
"…Aria."
"Yes?"
"…Those symbols aren't just on the screens."
Aria didn't respond immediately.
When she finally spoke…
Her voice was much quieter.
"That is… problematic."
Adrian swallowed.
"…Why?"
Aria's glowing eyes locked onto him.
"Because it means something else has noticed you."