The walls trembled as the alarms echoed through the Network's underground hideout, Nova and Zara ran through the narrow corridors, the flashing red lights casting eerie shadows around them. Nova's heart pounded, and her thoughts raced as she tried to grasp her surroundings.
"They found us so quickly." Zara muttered,her face tense with frustration. "The Algorithm must have updated its surveillance protocols. We'll have to move fast."
Nova followed Zara through a maze of tunnels beneath the city. She could hear distant sounds of heavy boots- security drones, sent to capture them. Zara guided her through narrow passages, barely wide enough to pass through. The hum of the Algorithm's drone was closer now, louder, and Nova felt the urgency in every step she took, turning her head repeatedly back to check for them gaining closer.
As Zara pulled her to the exit she pulled Nova close to her face, Nova confused and felt flustered. "This is where we split up." She said, her tone firm but hurried. "You need to get out of the city.Lay low until we contact you again."
"Wait, what about you?" Nova asked, panic rising in her her voice.
"I'll create a distraction. We can't both be caught. The others will know what to do. You, Nova, are too important now. You're part of this fight and they'll come after you." Zara looked her straight in the eyes, the gravity of her words heavy in the air. "Promise Me, you'll keep fighting."
Nova swallowed hard, her pulse quickening. "I promise."
Without another word, Zara sprinted back towards the drones, her footsteps disappearing into the chaos. Nova's mind screamed at her to help, to stay, but she knew Zara was right. If they were both captured, the fight would be over before it even began.
She turned and bolted towards the exit Zara had shown her, her breaths coming in short gasps. Nova could hear the drones' buzzing getting closer, and every instinct told her to run faster. The tunnel opened into a dark alleyway, and Nova slipped out into the night air.She didn't stop running until the city's towering skyline was far behind her.
YOU ARE READING
The Algorithm.
AdventureIn a future society, every citizen's life is governed by an all-powerful algorithm that determines everything from their career to who they marry. The algorithm is celebrated for having eradicated poverty, war, and inequality. However, when a young...
