They moved swiftly, deeper into shadows, until the noise behind them faded to a distant echo. She guided him through a maze of forgotten passages, hidden doors sliding shut behind them, each closing another chapter of pursuit.
Eventually, they reached a hidden space, cluttered but secure. Screens flickered, casting pale, ghostly light on walls lined with patched cables and discarded tech.
She released his wrist and sank into a worn chair, exhaustion finally overtaking her. He watched her carefully, questions gnawing at the edges of his fractured consciousness.
"Who are you?" he finally asked, voice barely more than a whisper.
She closed her eyes briefly, gathering strength. "I was your friend. Once."
"Why don't I remember?" His voice trembled slightly, fear edging in.
Her eyes opened slowly, full of pain and determination. "Because you gave up those memories when you synced. The Protocol took them."
He leaned against the wall, fighting a surge of dizziness. "How do you know so much about it?"
She hesitated, the room heavy with silence. "Because I helped create it."
His heart stopped. The room seemed to tilt beneath him. "You…?"
She nodded, her voice choked with regret. "We were trying to fix things. To make the world better. But it went wrong. Horribly wrong. And you—" her voice cracked, "you paid the price."
A cold anger rose inside him, but it wasn't directed at her—it was aimed at a past he couldn't even recall. "Can we reverse it?"
She looked away, eyes glistening. "I don't know. But I promise you this—I'll die trying."
He took a step forward, reaching out, fingers trembling. For the first time, she allowed him to touch her, fingers brushing against her cheek. Warm. Real.
"Tell me my name," he pleaded softly.
She leaned into his touch, closing her eyes. "When it's safe. When you're ready."
In the quiet of that hidden room, beneath the hum of forgotten technology, a truth settled between them—fragile and sharp.
And deep within him, the Protocol stirred restlessly, whispering promises of oblivion.
[SYNC RESUME COUNTDOWN: 48 HOURS.]