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“Now, I work in the Systems Integrity Office as a Security Code Specialist. My job is to program all the security systems in the city.” She ends with a nonchalant shrug of her thin shoulders.

The room falls silent, the weight of Arden’s revelation pressing down on us. Myall is rigid beside me, his indecision palpable. Elara’s gaze flickers between us, assessing.

“Perhaps,” Elara says softly, breaking the heavy silence, “it would be best if Arden shared her story with us. Help us understand why she wants to join our cause.”

I nod, grateful for Elara’s levelheadedness. As Arden takes a deep breath, preparing to reveal her past, the room falls into a heavy silence. I find myself torn between suspicion and a growing curiosity about this fiery, determined woman who’s thrust herself into our lives.

Arden starts, her voice soft. “I grew up in Sector 7, where The Authority’s grip was looser. My parents…” Her voice falters. “They were part of a secret network, always working to chip away at The Authority’s control.”

I lean forward, intrigued despite myself.

“I learned early on how to slip through restricted zones, how to hack into secure systems,” she continues, a hint of pride coloring her tone. “But it wasn’t just about the thrill. It was about freedom. Real, raw emotion.”

Myall shifts beside me, his eyes fixed on Arden. I can sense his empathy, his desire to believe her.

“When I saw you in that alley, Myall,” Arden says, her voice softening, “watching me try to disable my NeuroMod… I knew I’d found kindred spirit. Someone who might be willing to fight back.”

Myall’s expression softens, and he nods in understanding. “I can relate to that,” he admits, his voice quiet but firm. “But why join us? Why not continue the fight with your parents?”

Arden’s face darkens. “My parents were discovered by The Harmonization Authority when I was ten,” she says, her voice cracking with emotion. “They were taken…and never seen again. I was lucky to escape the detention centers, and I’ve been on my own ever since.”

As Arden finishes her story, silence falls over the room. Suspicion, hope, and sadness swirl inside me.

“So you want revenge,” Myall says, his tone tinged with caution.

Arden shakes her head, a determined glint in her eyes. “No, not just revenge. I want to make a difference. To take down The Authority and free our city from their grasp.”

I can see the sincerity in her gaze, and my suspicion wavers slightly.

Grandma Elara speaks up again, breaking the tension that had been building between us all. “We must be cautious,” she warns, her eyes moving between Arden and Myall. “But if Arden truly wants to help us in our cause, then we should give her a chance.”

I sense Myall’s hesitation but also his respect for Elara’s wisdom. He turns to me, silently seeking my opinion. I give him a non-committal shrug because I haven’t made my mind up yet.

Grandma Elara’s gentle voice breaks the silence once more. “Thank you for sharing, Arden. Ziva, perhaps you’d like to share your story next?”

When I hesitate to share my own story, Myall gently squeezes my hand, his thumb tracing soothing circles over my knuckles.

The warmth of his touch calms my racing heart, reassuring me.

I’ve never told my full story to anyone but Myall.

I look around at the faces watching me—Myall’s encouraging nod, Arden’s curious gaze, Elara’s warm smile—I take a deep breath and begin.

“My parents were taken by The Authority when I was six,” I start, swallowing past the lump in my throat at the memory.

“I also grew up in The Harmonization Authority’s orphanage.

It was… cold. Sterile. They tried to strip away every shred of individuality, but my curiosity burned like a flame that no one could extinguish. ”

As I recount my past, I glance at Myall, who listens intently, his expression softening with each word. There’s a flicker of something deeper in his eyes—a silent promise that he understands my pain.

“They couldn’t kill my curiosity. I became a NeuroMod Technician to learn more, to find a way to break their control.

” My voice grows stronger, fueled by the passion I’ve kept hidden for so long.

“I want more than just existence. I want to feel, to love, to be truly free. I’ve spent years trying to figure out how to disable my own NeuroMod in the hopes that one day… I might be able to do that for others.”

As I finish, Myall’s hand finds mine once more, squeezing gently. He clears his throat, his eyes fixed on mine. “I guess it’s my turn,” he states, voice low and steady. “My story really begins with Grandma Elara.”

I lean forward, drawn in by the passion in his words. Myall’s rugged exterior softens as he speaks about his grandmother, and I feel a flutter in my chest.

“Grandma’s stories… they opened my eyes to what we’ve lost,” Myall continues. “She’d tell me about concerts where people danced freely, about spontaneous laughter in the streets. It made me realize how much The Authority has taken from us.”

Once more, his knee brushes against mine and he lets it linger there. “I couldn’t just sit by and watch our humanity slip away.”

I find myself nodding, a surge of admiration and something deeper washing over me. Myall’s commitment, his empathy—it’s intoxicating.

Grandma Elara’s gentle voice breaks the spell. “Perhaps I could share a story from the old days?” she offers. As she begins to speak, painting vivid pictures of a world bursting with color and feeling, I notice Arden leaning forward, hanging on every word.

As Elara describes a first kiss from her youth, I can’t help but imagine Myall’s lips on mine. The desire is almost overwhelming. I force myself to look away, but not before catching the flush creeping up Myall’s neck.

In this moment, surrounded by stories of a freer world and the warmth of human connection, I’ve never felt more alive—or more terrified of what these feelings might mean.

His warmth radiates next to me, his presence comforting as Grandma Elara finishes her story. My stomach drops as I realize we need to make a choice about Arden.

I study Arden’s determined expression, noting the resolve in her pale face. “Arden,” I murmur, “your skills… they could be invaluable to our cause.”

Myall gives a slight nod, his gaze steady. “We’ve been operating blind this entire time, making it up as we go along,” he says, running a hand through his hair. “We could really use someone with your skillset.”

My chest flutters at his words, at the way he says ‘we’ like it’s the most natural thing in the world.

“Are you sure?” I ask, searching his face for any hint of doubt.

He leans in closer, his breath warm on my cheek. “I trust your instincts, Ziva,” he says. “If you think we can trust her, I’m with you.”

The intensity of his gaze makes me dizzy. I swallow hard, trying to focus.

“Arden,” I say, turning back to her, “welcome to the rebellion.”

Her face lights up, that mischievous spark dancing in her green eyes.

“You won’t regret this,” she says, her voice brimming with excitement that is quickly dulled.

As we begin to discuss our next steps, I steal a glance toward Myall. Whatever comes next, I know that together, we’re growing stronger than The Authority could ever imagine.