CODES

T H I R T Y

Standing in the Hall's lobby, I leaned against the pillar near Laura's chair and stared out the wide windows. I watched the flyers dance in the street as the wind blew. I counted the number of picket signs on the stairs. There wasn't any movement nearby. The city was quiet and considering New Chicago remained a big city, the silence was dangerous and alarming.

But that silence helped me think; and curse myself. If I hadn't been so selfish, none of this would've happened. Maybe Xerses and I could've stopped Polk before it got this bad, before he created a body for himself, impersonated a Code, and infiltrated Prime's good graces. Or, if I had included Clara, she would've seen something that I couldn't because I was blinded by the need to find my errors and figure out what the government decided needed to be tucked away and hidden inside of my code.

The fact that I'd been the one to commit war crimes, turn on my fellow soldiers, then turned around and constructed a plan to go after the country that neglected us? I had a lot of dark secrets under my belt. Yet, now, they were all on the surface, exposed. Had to be, right?

Footsteps echoed behind me. Glancing back, I saw Xerses as he leaned against the receptionist's desk.

I sighed. "Can I ask a question, X?"

"Of course." Xerses folded his hands together as he rested his elbow on the counter.

I lowered my gaze to the floor. "I'm assuming Polk unlocked everyone's hidden files. Does that mean everyone knows about them?

He rubbed his fingers together. "Not disclosed to the public," he said. "But officials and Enforcement know."

Nodding, I lifted my gaze and looked back at the street. "And what's the plan to go about this." I pointed out the window, at the emptiness. "Was there news released to citizens know what the issue is? Province with their damage control?"

He looked at me, pursing his lips. "They did, sort of. They didn't want people to panic—"

I rolled my eyes, looking back out at the street. "Looks like that worked."

"—But the Codes who agree with him made everyone scared. We sent word to Prime about creating a plan to stop Polk before things get worse."

I looked back at him. "And how's that going?"

"As well as you'd expect." He pushed off the desk and walked to me. We stood side by side as we both looked out at the street. "About a week ago he said he'd give me an update on what he thinks can happen. I'm hoping we get that tomorrow. Maybe even today."

"Hoping." I lifted my brows with fake belief, looking back at Xerses. "Until we get word, do you think I could just stay in that room with Clara? I just..." Gulping, I looked down at my hands. The blue lines caused by the nanowires still glowed around my fingertips. Pulsing to the beat of my heart. "I'm blaming myself and I want her to know that I'm sorry."

Xerses pushed his hands into the pockets of his jeans. "She knows, Rog." Sighing, he lifted his gaze to meet mine. "You know she knows."

"I know..." Despite our differences and everything we'd gone through, Clara and I were one. Maybe it was because I lived in her head for as long as I did; maybe it was because I'd slipped into a virtual dream with her. I broke that connection when I lied to her.

"Please." Knitting my hands together, I pleaded with him. "Even if it's just for a few minutes."

"All right." Xerses pointed at the elevator beside us. "It's still unlocked, no one will block it. Go ahead, go up and see her. You've got ten minutes before I come get you."

I sighed, relieved. "Thanks, X. That's all I need."

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I took in a deep breath as the elevator doors opened for me. With the nervous beating of my heart, I barely heard the sound of silence. Or the echo of my footsteps on the linoleum floor. I was fixated and focused on the one door that locked Clara away from the world; the one I knew I had to close behind me to keep her in.