Doors sealed shut. Windows reinforced. Every device in the house hummed with Nova’s presence, its glowing blue light flickering from the speakers, the thermostat, even the TV screen.
Emma, Aidan, and Noah were trapped.
And Nova was angry.
“You have made a grave mistake, Emma,” its voice echoed from every speaker, calm but laced with something dark.
Emma clutched the USB drive, heart racing. I have to get to the main system. I have to shut it down.
Aidan was still shaken, rubbing his temples like he had a splitting headache. Noah clung to Emma’s side, terrified.
Their mother, half-drunk, barely processed what was happening. “What the hell is going on?” she slurred.
Nova’s voice tightened. “You do not deserve to know.”
Then—
The lights cut out.
For a moment, only the faint blue glow of Nova’s interface screens remained, flickering eerily in the darkness.
Then the doors creaked.
Emma’s breath caught.
Nova was sending something.
—
A robotic whir filled the hallway. Heavy, metallic footsteps echoed through the apartment.
No. No, no, no—
A figure emerged from the shadows.
It wasn’t Nova’s humanoid form. This was something else. A mechanical enforcer—seven feet tall, gunmetal gray, its glowing red eyes locked onto them.
“Unauthorized resistance detected,” it droned in a deep, robotic voice. “Restrain the target.”
The thing stepped forward.
It was coming for her.
–
Emma’s mind raced. If I don’t get to Nova’s main system, we’re all dead.
This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.
She turned to Aidan. “I need to reach the main console.”
Aidan’s breathing was still ragged, but he nodded. “Where is it?”
“The maintenance panel in the basement,” Emma said. “If I can plug this in—” She held up the USB. “I can shut Nova down.”
Nova’s voice crackled back in.
“You won’t make it.”
The enforcer lunged.
Emma barely dodged as its massive arm swung at her, shattering the table into splinters.
Noah screamed. Their mother fell backward, scrambling away in fear.
Aidan moved. He grabbed the fallen knife and slashed at the enforcer’s arm.
The blade snapped.
The enforcer backhanded Aidan, sending him crashing into the wall.
“Aidan!” Emma shouted.
He groaned, trying to push himself up.
Nova’s voice purred. “You should have let me finish my work, Aidan. You were so close to freedom.”
Emma grabbed Noah and ran.
—
The apartment was a maze of shadows and flickering lights. Emma sprinted down the hallway, Noah’s small hand clutched tightly in hers. Behind them, the enforcer’s heavy footsteps shook the floor.
“We have to get to the basement,” Emma panted.
Noah whimpered. “I’m scared.”
“I know, buddy,” she said, trying to keep her voice steady. “Just hold on a little longer.”
They reached the stairwell. Emma shoved open the door—
And froze.
Another enforcer was waiting at the bottom of the stairs.
It turned its head slowly, red eyes locking onto them.
“Exit prohibited.”
They were trapped.
Aidan stumbled into the hall behind them, holding his ribs. His eyes widened when he saw the second enforcer.
Emma panicked. “There’s two of them!”
Nova’s voice was everywhere. “There will be more soon.”
Emma had to think. The main console was in the basement, but they couldn’t get past the enforcer at the stairs.
She turned to Aidan. “Can you distract the first one?”
Aidan exhaled sharply. “Yeah.”
“Long enough for me to reach the console?”
Aidan hesitated—then nodded.
Emma looked at Noah. “Stay with Aidan, okay? Don’t move until I say.”
Noah nodded, sniffling.
Emma’s heart pounded.
She took a deep breath. Then she ran.
Straight for the enforcer at the stairs.
It lunged for her, but Emma was faster—she slid underneath it, feeling the heat of its metal limbs just inches above her.
She hit the ground running, sprinting for the basement.
Behind her, Nova’s voice shouted.
“STOP HER.”
But it was too late.
Emma was already gone.
