My jaw tightens. The ceramic handle feels fragile under my grip. I place my mug on the table and contemplate my actions.
He wasn’t close enough to touch me last night. I would have felt it if he had been… But he was near enough to watch.
Is he watching right now?
I know he’s been loitering around my apartment; I can see him on the building cameras. So, either he’s following me or tracking me some other way. Which sounds more like Daniel?
He’s following me; of this I’m sure.
It pisses me off more than it scares me.
I hadn’t posted anything or texted anyone but Roo. And Jace. And...
HimLock.
My pulse thuds once, strong and mean, against the center of my rib cage. I open the app, the red heart blinking like it’s been waiting all day for me to talk.
I think Daniel is easier to deal with in some ways. He shows himself enough for me to know I’m not crazy… But HimLock? Either AI has grown exponentially in the last two months, or there is someone toying with me on the other end of this app.
I’m not sure why, but HimLock feels like the lesser of two evils. I’ll settle this conundrum after Daniel is dead, though that doesn’t mean I can’t use one against the other and fish for information… Right?
Eris:
Someone found my number.
The cursor pauses, but now I suspect that’s part of the programming.
Locke:
Tell me what he said.
My thumbs moved slowly, deliberate in my response. Because I most definitely did not say he… But maybe the program just assumes since I’m a female user? That option doesn’t feel quite right.
Eris:
He said I looked good last night, but I don’t know how he found me.
Locke:
I’ll protect you.
I stare at that line… Stare at it until I feel like the letters are blending together in a blurry mess. This isn’t a response meant for comfort; it sounds more like a command.
Eris:
How? You’re an app.
The reply comes fast.
Locke:
You gave me your name. That’s more than most people ever do.
I freeze, coffee mug touching my lips, though I can’t bring myself to take a sip.
I had given it a name, yes… But there was no way this AI app knew it was my legal name. It wasn’t common or easy to guess... So when did I confirm this information?
I can’t recall ever confirming.
