And Then, The World Ended

Chapter 42: Noah

As we weave through the bustling streets of New York District, the city feels like a different world—bright lights reflecting off glass skyscrapers, an electric pulse coursing through the air. I cling to Hayes' hand, comforted by his presence as our group settles into a rhythm of quiet determination.

"Let's head to my place," Hayes suggests, glancing at each of us with that familiar spark in his eyes. "It'll be safer there. We can talk without worrying about prying ears."

I nod, feeling a mix of excitement and anxiety. The thought of returning to his home—the cozy townhouse filled with laughter and memories—brings a flicker of warmth amidst the chaos swirling around us.

Once we reach Hayes' front door, he pushes it open and gestures for everyone to enter. Emiko steps in first, her eyes scanning the space like a hawk assessing its surroundings. V follows closely behind her, ever vigilant.

"This place is incredible," Emiko remarks, taking in the modern decor that juxtaposes the old-world charm of New York. "You've done well for yourself, Hayes."

"Thanks," he replies with a shy grin before turning serious again. "But we don't have time for pleasantries right now. We need to dig into what we learned from The Spire."

Jordan collapses onto the couch while Sophie grabs snacks from the kitchen—a distraction from the tension creeping back into our conversations.

"So... The Spire was all a simulation?" I ask, piecing together bits of information that feel disjointed but critical.

"Exactly," V confirms, pacing in front of us like a caged animal. "They've been manipulating your experiences—controlling how you perceive reality. And now they're using it to cover their tracks."

Hayes crosses his arms over his chest, brow furrowing deeply as he contemplates our situation. "We need to figure out where this leads—what Hanami is planning next and how they fit into all this government conspiracy."

I can't shake off an unsettling feeling deep in my gut; it's like I'm standing on the precipice of something vast and terrifying.

"What if they're hiding everything in District Neonashi?" Emiko suggests suddenly, her voice cutting through my thoughts like a knife.

"What's that?" Jordan asks, raising an eyebrow.

"It's a classified area within New York District," she explains, her expression grave. "Only government officials and high-ranking leaders have access to it. It's where they conduct experiments—some might even say it's where they plan their future agendas."

"Sounds like exactly where we need to go," I interject, adrenaline sparking within me at the thought of uncovering more secrets.

"But how do we get there?" Sophie questions warily.

"The entrance is heavily guarded," V answers grimly. "And even if we make it past security checks, it'll be nearly impossible to navigate without insider knowledge."

Hayes shifts forward on his seat, determination flashing across his face. "What if we can get someone on the inside? Someone who knows how to get past those defenses?"

"Emiko..." I start hesitantly.

She meets my gaze steadily. "I could reach out to some contacts—people who might know more about District Neonashi or even Hanami's ties there."

"Let's do it," Hayes says firmly. "We can't waste any time."

Emiko nods decisively and pulls out her holo-pad from her bag. She starts typing rapidly while we gather around her, leaning closer as names flash across the screen.