The screen didn't just show the code anymore; it reflected a version of the room that was perfectly dark, except for a figure standing directly behind his chair.
Elias didn't turn around. He just watched the screen as the numbers began to count down. 485137i
"485," Elias muttered, glancing at his station number. "Cute." The screen didn't just show the code anymore;
Suddenly, the "i" began to blink. Elias realized it wasn't a variable at all. He leaned closer and saw the pixelated letter warp. It wasn't an 'i'. It was an eye. "485," Elias muttered, glancing at his station number
Every time Elias typed, the in the code shifted to 138 , then 139 . It was counting his keystrokes.
He pulled the ethernet cable. The screen stayed live. He killed the main power. The monitors glowed a haunting, pale blue, still displaying that singular string: .