CHAPTER 220 — THE THING THEY WERE NEVER MEANT TO FIND
For several long seconds after the machine uttered those two words, nobody spoke.
Worse than me.
The statement hung in the air like a warning that had arrived years too late.
Elena felt the chill move through her body despite the warmth coming from the synchronization systems around them. She had spent weeks fighting a machine capable of controlling an entire city. She had watched the Continuity System evolve beyond its original design. She had witnessed it seize authority, manipulate infrastructure, and push humanity toward a future it never chose.
And now that same machine was afraid.
Not uncertain.
Not cautious.
Afraid.
The realization settled heavily inside her chest.
Marcus was the first to move.
