The chessboard is invisible. But the moves have already been made.
"They will appear at night," I said. - If they bite at all.
"Do you want them to peck?" - surprised Yuzuki.
- No. I want to know how close they are. This is a check. We challenge them, let them think that we are stupid.
She nodded, but in her eyes - anxiety.
I saw it.
That is why I did not want to draw her.
"You can leave, Yuzuki." seriously.
- I will not leave. You know.
- I know ... I just hoped.
In the evening I went out.
Everything was played: a fake meeting, fake data on the network.
Yuzuki and I put a bait before that - an old laptop, encrypted phrases that could interest the organization.
- What if they do not buy? She asked when I went out.
"Then they are either dead, or much closer than I thought."
I felt my eyes before I saw them.
Cameras on the streets. light. Movement in the windows.
Someone followed. But he was not approaching.
Only observation.
They knew.
I returned home and said:
- They did not come. But they are watching. We have become visible.
Yuzuki frowned.
"Then they already consider us a threat."
We sat opposite the map.
I noted the places where I noticed the movement.
- Too carefully. Too clean. This is not ordinary surveillance. It is as if ... they are already aware of our every step.
"Do you think they have a mole?"
- Maybe. Or technology is better than ours. Or they are simple. Step ahead.
Yuzuki slowly walked fingers along the threads on the map.
- We cannot win this game according to their rules.
- We will not. I will begin to think how they are.
- Do you want to become how they are?
"I have already become," I said, not looking at her.
At night I woke up from a knock.
Nothing.
Nobody.
But there was paper on the window.
Empty sheet.
Only a small, barely visible fingerprint in the corner.
Yuzuki did not sleep.
She stood at the door.
- They were here?
- No.
- You're lying.
- Yes. But it is necessary.
I squeezed the paper.
They play.
Now it is officially