Page 124 of Knight

The screen fills with strange characters, nothing like our usual system. Not a normal error message. Not normal at all.

Tom makes his final round through the stacks. “All good, Ms. Porter?”

“Fine.” I force my attention away from the screen. “Just finishing up.”

But when I look back, there’s a message waiting.

R0GUE_N3XUS:Security camera in section 4 needs maintenance.

I stare at the unfamiliar username, and my stomach churns. Is someone trying to manipulate me again? My fingers hover over the power button, memories of the last trap tightening like a vice around my thoughts.

The cursor blinks steadily, waiting for a response I won’t give. Not this time. Not again.

I shut down the computer properly and gather my things.

The next night, the same message appears. This time it isn’t when the shutdown process is running, but when I’m logging into the system for the start of my shift. Suspicion and fear flare again. But this time, the phrasing—calm, almost clinical—makes me pause.

R0GUE_N3XUS:Three cameras need maintenance now. Northwest corner completely blind.

I close the window without responding. Work needs doing, and I’m not playing this game.

The messages continue. Each night, always about security. Always about cameras, and blind spots, and ways someone could get to me. I ignore them all.

By the end of the week, I’ve developed a routine. See message. Close window. Continue working. Simple.

Until tonight.

R0GUE_N3XUS:The money’s for your safety, not guilt.

I stand there, staring. Onlytwopeople know about those deposits, and my refusal to touch them.

Another message appears.

R0GUE_N3XUS:Your apartment might be secure, but your workplace isn’t.

“Enough.” I reach for the power button. I’m done with cryptic messages and attempts to control my life from a distance.

R0GUE_N3XUS:Still stubborn, Glitch.

The name jolts through me. Onlyoneperson ever called me that. Only one person would know exactly how to get my attention.

I slam my hands against the keyboard.

Stop watching me.

R0GUE_N3XUS:I can’t.

Yes, you can. You managed to push me away just fine.

The cursor blinks several times before his response appears.

R0GUE_N3XUS:That was different.

No, it wasn’t. You made a choice. Live with it.

R0GUE_N3XUS:I was wrong.

Too bad. Go back to watching through your cameras and leave me alone.

---