Kill The Rich

16th Chapter: Posing Threats

(June 2024 - 1 Day later)

"Look at the code right there." Erica points at the all of the numbers in green on the black screen, them continuing to change.

"Yeah." Romano and Dustin nod.

"Every time zeroes populate on there you all need to type in the last ten numbers as they originally were, then the last three then five five right here, but switching up the numbers with others." Erica explains. "That is tricking the code and causing us to get through more firewalls."

"Okay so basically mixing up numbers." Dustin writes down.

"Yes but you have to make sure the numbers or the pattern isn't repeated otherwise the system will recognize it is something wrong. Either a bot or a hacker, so you have to play everything differently." Erica says.

"Okay so basically mix and match not creating the same pattern." Romano says.

"Yes but you also have to pay attention to the letters." Erica explains. "I need you both to get this quickly these are the basic things it is only so much I can teach you all in a day."

"No we're getting it we're getting it." Dustin nods. "So mix and match with the numbers and what with the letters?"

"Same rules apply so you have to keep an eye out for the letters and the numbers." Erica explains. "So you have to quickly memorize the letters and the numbers both to make sure you are not repeating the same pattern. So at least three of you need to be over them both writing down the numbers and letters that way it is not a chance they won't forget, I can't look between screens I need to be just focused on mine."

"I am really fast with taking notes in school so I will help." Holly goes to stand over Dustin, her holding a notebook and pen in hand.

"I'll help too." Nancy says.

"Me three." Vicki says.

"Good everyone else if you all want something to do look through those files again with everyone in the city." Erica states. "We just have one more day."

"Copy that." They all reply.

Erica looks over at Max, seeing how she looks out of the window with her fingers tapping against the wall, her body being seen clearly shaking.

Max blinks tears back, her holding her head up a little bit. She looks besides her when Erica goes to stand besides her. "I'm fine please don't ask me."

"I'm not. I'm here to tell you to get your shit together." Erica tells her.

"Erica I'm not hardcore and emotionless like you."

"And that's fine." Erica looks at her. "But if you want to find your parents then you have to put your emotions back because in situations like these that is going to be the very thing that holds you back, don't let it."

Max looks over at her. "Why are you helping me?"

"I see a lot of my past self in you. Emotions so quick to jump in your face full fledge that you don't know what to do or how to react." Erica replies. "You need to push the emotions to the side for now."

"I'm trying." Max says in a shaky tone. "I'm just scared. I just told them that I wanted to spend more time with them and that I appreciated them. So many times for all of these years I haven't, and they may have been...distant sometimes because of their work but they have always loved me, always protected me and they were never shit parents despite me saying that. I made so many mistakes when it came to them. And now I.....I'm terrified."