I glanced at 220.
''Let's go.'' I said quietly.
She nodded with a determined expression.
We went ouside hastily and began to walk to stairs.
''I wonder what happens next.'' She said with high pitch.
''...You sound confident''I said ''Where that comes from?''
''I understand the situation.'' Her tone was calm and measured now. She added.
''They're acting without full information.''
She glanced ahead.
''That's their mistake. And I will fix it.''
She didn't look worried.
Not even slightly.
We walked down to the lower floor.
Each step echoed.
But--Something felt wrong.
The air was a little warmer. And it isn't disturbing now.
''Let's ask the reception.'' I said.
''That would work.''
...
We arrived at reception. The same woman was sitting behind the stand. Her eyes were half closed.
I started pressing the bell. Again and again.
The woman jerked up. And stared at us. Then, she grabbed the bell and putted away.
''What do you want?''
''where exactly is the interrogation room?''
The womans eyes narrowed. And stood up.''
''What is the reason?''
''We are called.''
A cold dread ran through the woman. As she remembered something.
''...''
''Are you okay? Is something wrong?''
''N-no. Everything is okay. I promise.''
The woman laughed nervously.
''But it's a bit far away from here. About 400 meters. I am giving you a map of it as The roads are a little complicated on this floor.''
''Thank you for your help.'' I said while grabbing
I looked at the map. I frowned.
What?
I flipped the paper down. Trying to understand.
this place is like a maze.
I handed the paper to 220. She looked at it.
''Not a bad map. I've seen much worse ones.''
She started scanning every detail. Her eyes were moving fast.
She stopped and folded the map. And puted on the reception.
''What are you doing?''
She eventually put the paper on there.
''Come on. Follow me.''
Weird.
She started walking. I Followed behind her.
...
After a long walk, we finally reached there.
The questioning room.
Almost all of the doors were painted black in this floor.
I attempted to reach the handle.
I hesitated.
Then 220 reached for it and opened.
...
We stepped into the room.
The first thing I noticed was The Darkness.
Not completaly--
Just enough to see.
A single bulb hung from the ceiling.
Swaying. Casting uneven shadows.
There were two chairs and one table.
Cameras in the corners. Watching.
The air felt... heavy.
I almost wanted to leave.
And then-
A figure appeared from the shadow and came near the table.
Smiling.
He was too confident. Glasses on and eyes slosed.
''Welcome.''
He opened his eyes.
And--
Froze.
His glasses fickered and revealed green lights. Data, I guess.
His expression changed.
Instantly.
As if he saw something from us.
He started shaking and sweating.
Fear started to overwhelm him.
And--
Two hands landed on his shoulders.
He stopped shaking immediately. And a blank, dreadfull expression apperaed on his face.
''...Sir?''
His voice trembled.
He stiffened.
''P-Patron?''
He was pulled back by hands. No resistance.
Two guards stepped in.
Dragged him out.
And the door slammed shut.
And then--
Silence.
A figure stepped forward.
Same uniform.
But different presence.
...
Part of the face hidden. One eye covered. The other was watching.
And then, he flicked the lighter.
That was him. The same lighter I saw before.
''Give it.''
I froze for a second and shifted my gaze to 220.
220 didn't move.
Her eyes stayed on him.
''...You mean this?''
She pulled the black shard.
Silence.
He didn't repeat himself. Didn't need to.
220 placed the shard slowly. Her hand was still covered in bandage. Gripping tighter each second.
''Next time,'' she said.
''Be more spesific.''
A brief stop.
''I know where you got It. 518.''
He paused.
''I just wanted to see if you lie.''
We sat down. He didn't.
Looking down at us.
The lighter flicked and closed.
The fire has gone out.
Then--
he slid it across the table.
It spun once--
and stopped between us.
''An exchange.'''
He paused.
''I don't take things for free.''
My eyes dropped to the lighter.
Then, I threw the shard to him.
He catched it and turned it slightly.
Watching how it caught the dim light.
''Interesting.''He murmured.
220 didn't move.
''What do you want?'' she asked with a flat tone.
He didn't answer immediately.
İnstead, he stepped closer.
''Information,'' He said.
''Start talking.''
He didn't blink.
220 tilted her head slightly.
''Who do you answer to?''
''No one.''
He looked dirrectly at her. Calm.
''I don't operate under authority.''
He leaned a bit.
''I define it.''
''...Is that so?''
220 leaned slightly forward.
''If you are the highest authority...Then explain somthing.''
Her gaze locked on him.
''We entered a restricted area. Why were't we stopped?''
For a moment--
He didn't answer.
Not hesitation. Calculation.
''Because you weren't meant to be.''
He paused for a second. Then pulled another lighter. Same as the other one.
He lit it up again and Narrowed his eyes slightly.
''The system didn't stop you... Because it didn't need to...''
''That's not an answer.'' She said.
''It is.''
He closed the lighter.
''You are assuming you were acting freely.''
He stepped closer and placed his little hands on the table.
''You weren't.''
Silence.
''You walked exactly where the system wanted from you.''
That--
Was new.
He glanced at the shard. Than back at us.
''You are not exceptions.''
He paused for a second.
''You are variables.''
I frowned and took a step forward.
''Where is 104? What did you do to him?''
''He has been elected. The new member will be added.''
Elected? that doesnt sound right.
''What it means to be elected.''
''You will see soon enough. Dont forget the paper.''
I narrowed my eyes and retreated.
''So, In conclusion. You neither be elected nor punished.''
He frowned slowly.
''But take this as a lesson. You are free to go. By now.''
I began to tremble.
What is this?
I quickly grabbed the lighter and went out. 220 followed me.
...
I glanced at 220.
''What have just we witnessed?''
220 frowned and punched the wall lightly.
''Damn. He was so good at this.''
I opened the lighter.
Empty.
He foresighted the fact that we might create a fire.
''He was at another level.'' I added.
''The brain...'' She said.
''I finally found a match.''
...
We started walking to our rooms.
''Tomorrow.'' She said.
''Yeah?''
''Let's search for companions. For our group Aetheris.''
I nodded.
''Great idea.''
''Let's go to the living area and search for it. Tomorrow. At 4pm.''
''That would be great. 369 was great to be honest. He almost selected for motion and supported your idea.''
''Great. Let's queston him for later.'' She said.
...
We finally arrived at our rooms. I waved at her and scanned my card.
I stepped into my room--
And immediately searched for toilet.
...
When I went out, throwed my clothes on the bed.
Wait. Somethings off.
When I looked at the stand near my bed, I froze.
There was a golden card.
That must be it. My hidden roles ability.
I quickly glanced at the trash bin.
The water bottle was gone.
That meant the system have access to our rooms.
That's bad.
Really bad.
I leaned to the ironing board and plugged in.
I started to iron my formal clothes.
The steam rose.
Fresh steam. I love it.
...
I weared my nightwear and closed the lights.
I will sleep early. Because they want it like this.
3 am brain says.
let's see what happens now.