the dark. It sounds like a jagged knif

to step back, but my boots feel like they

e steps out of the

me

blade isn't metal; it's made of fractured, bl

al smile stretches across his face. He looks like a

flashes violently, ba

AI encountered. Affinity level:

s head. His nec

like crushed glass grinding together. "Jus

s his le

a wraps around my throat like a

law frantically at the empty air, trying to pry the invisible pres

. He stops right in front of me. He raises the glitching

he code burns my

ng wildly. "You look like the rot that ruined eve

My chest spasms as my body fights for air that isn't t

xplosion shat

lows outward in a massive cloud of

f blue light cuts

sive, glowing heavy pulse rifle. His posture is rigi

is voice is a low, dangerous r

ulterated rage crosses his face. But he loo

grip around my

s, coughing violently. I suck in huge, greedy lungfuls of

between me and Dameon. The physical barrier of his pre

cloud of red pixels. He takes a step back, melting s

n. He stands perfectly still f

sirens grows louder.

eavy rifle on his back and looks down

per arm with a grip like a v

" he o

gaping hole in the wall. I stumble over the rubble, my

of an abandoned building. The sounds of t

n a subterranean tunnel. Jayson punches a long,

open. Dim yellow

the door shut. He throws three heavy deadbolts a

hit the floor. I wrap my arms around my knees, shivering violent

r on, illuminating the sma

from the door. H

zes. The cold, professional mask shatters. He stands there