It might kill me not knowing.
The hunger for answers gnawed at her insides. Her fingers clicked the mouse again, almost mechanically, moving from folder to folder, her mind racing faster than her hands could keep up. Each click, each folder opened, was like another layer of her innocence being peeled away. The truth—ugly and brutal—slithered out, revealing itself with every new file. Her chest felt heavy, as if something cold was slowly being shoved into it, a sharp, stabbing pain.
Another click.
The next folder opened, and Evah's stomach turned. Her vision blurred, and for a brief moment, she fought the bile rising in her throat. She slammed the laptop shut, desperate to block the image from her mind.
But the memory of what she had just seen was already seared into her thoughts.
She sat back in her chair, her breath shallow and ragged. The cold metal of the laptop felt like a weight in her hands, as though it could burn her with its knowledge. She turned toward the mirror on the wall. Her reflection stared back at her—eyes wide with disbelief, lips trembling with a silent question: What should I do now?
Regret hit her like a wave. She should have never opened that laptop. She should have left well enough alone. But now, the truth was out there, in her mind, impossible to ignore.
This wasn't just a simple corruption or a minor error in the system. No. This was something far darker, something that could change everything.
Her reflection, tired and anxious, seemed to ask the same question. She could feel her heart racing, adrenaline pumping through her veins as her mind reeled from the revelations.
Her thoughts spiraled. What should I do? How could she ever work for them again, knowing what she knew now? She had come here to build a career at the best company, the most powerful institution in the country, but how could she stomach that now?
Her eyes hardened with resolve. I can't stay here. Not anymore. Not even for more money.
But there was one thing she couldn't forget. I can't let my family starve.
The decision weighed heavily on her heart as she stared into the reflection of the woman who had, just hours ago, been so full of ambition. She turned back to the laptop, feeling the weight of the drive in her pocket—her only proof of everything she had seen.
Evah carefully shut the laptop, her hands still trembling from what she had uncovered. She left the lab without a word, her mind racing with fear, confusion, and a gnawing sense of dread. Each step felt heavy, as though the weight of the truth she now carried was pressing down on her chest. The questions swirled relentlessly in her mind, but there were no answers, only more fear.
Hours later, she found herself lying in bed, her gaze fixed on the dark ceiling above her. The room was silent, the only sound was the distant hum of the city outside. She couldn't shake the images from her mind, the folders, the files—each one more damning than the last.
With a shaky breath, she pulled out a small flash drive from her pocket, the tiny device feeling impossibly heavy in her hand. Who can I trust? The thought echoed in her head, a question she had no answer to.
She closed her eyes for a moment, the darkness behind her eyelids just as suffocating as the one in the room. If she told the wrong person, everything could spiral out of control. I might get killed. Or worse, they might get killed.
The moonlight filtered through her window, casting a cold, distant glow over the room. It felt detached, like something far removed from her own turmoil. Yet, despite its chill, there was something oddly comforting about it, a silent witness to her fear, but also a reminder that she was still alive—at least for now.
She turned the flash drive over in her hand, staring at it as if it held the key to her future—or her doom. The weight of it was unbearable, but she knew she couldn't just sit with this knowledge. Not anymore.
But who could she trust?
Note:Cypher/Decipher refers to the process of decoding, repairing, or hacking specific systems, a skill that is typically reserved for highly specialized individuals such as Decipher Masters or Originators. This process is crucial in manipulating encrypted data, bypassing security protocols, or restoring corrupted systems. The ability to perform these tasks varies depending on the rank and expertise of the individual.
Originators, considered at the forefront of this field, generally possess the capacity to work with systems ranging from gold to platinum tier encryption and security measures. These individuals are renowned for their proficiency in navigating complex digital landscapes, often pushing the boundaries of conventional data manipulation.
However, in Evah's case, her expertise extends far beyond that of a typical Originator. She has the rare distinction of being paired with a Diamond Cypher, the highest tier of decryption and system manipulation. This designation is reserved for those few who can penetrate even the most advanced and heavily fortified systems—often systems considered impenetrable by most. The Diamond Cypher is not just a rank; it's a testament to Evah's unparalleled skill in the realm of digital warfare, capable of deciphering, hacking, and correcting even the most complex and secured systems with precision and ease.