“Maybe a coral-colored nap,” Oli winks.
She shakes her head, still smiling. “Let’s stick with the neutrals, okay? Maybe ‘Misty Morning’?”
“Fine, fine,” Oli sighs dramatically. “But I’m holding you to that accent wall.”
As Oli and Sandra bicker good-naturedly about paint colors, “Misty Morning” versus “Coastal Breeze”.
My gaze drifts to Sandra, noticing the lingering shadows under her eyes, the constant tension in her shoulders. She only seems to sleep deeply when she’s physically close to one of us, like she needs that contact to feel truly safe. My mind goes back to the other night when she mentioned how her phone was taken away immediately, leaving her completely isolated.
That’s when the idea hits me, a way to provide that sense of security, even when we’re not physically present. A small, wearable device. Not a phone, those are too easily lost or taken.Something more discreet. A necklace with a hidden button, perhaps. Or a bracelet designed to look like an ordinary piece of jewelry. Even a ring. Something that wouldn’t draw unwanted attention.
Inside, a miniature GPS tracker and an emergency signal. It would be activated by a specific sequence – a double-tap, a long press, a hidden clasp—something easy to use in a panic, but unlikely to be triggered accidentally. The signal would go directly to a dedicated network, monitored by the Safe Haven, maybe even with a direct line to local law enforcement. It wouldn’t just be a location ping, but an immediate alert. A cry for help without words.
The details start to solidify. The device would need to be durable, waterproof, and tamper-resistant. Battery life would be crucial, requiring a low-power mode and wireless charging. And the design? It would have to be both functional and aesthetically pleasing, something Omegas would actuallywantto wear.
This could be a real game-changer. A collaboration between Sandra, the Safe Haven, and my technical skills. We could combine their expertise in Omega safety with my ability to build the device. We could create something that could actually save lives.
I grab my laptop from the armchair and set it on the coffee table. Opening a new document, I start typing, outlining the core functionality, the necessary technical specifications, and some initial design ideas. It’s a rough draft, just a collection of thoughts, but it’s a concrete start. This isn’t just some random project; this is something that’s truly needed.
I tap away at the keyboard, the initial rush of the idea starting to settle into a more concrete plan. I can already see the basic framework, the components. It’s feasible. More than feasible, it’s… promising.
“Whatcha working on so intently, Caleb?” Ross asks, his voice pulling me out of my thoughts.
I hesitate, glancing at Sandra. This isn’t something to just blurt out. It needs…context. “An idea,” I say, vaguely. “Something…potentially useful.”
Oli, ever perceptive, catches the look I give Sandra. “Useful how?” He leans closer, his curiosity piqued.
“It’s…related to what Sandra was talking about,” I say, choosing my words carefully. “About feeling unsafe, about having her phone taken.” I pause, pushing my glasses up my nose. “I’m thinking…a device. Something wearable. A way to call for help, even without a phone.”
Sandra’s eyes widen slightly. She sits up straighter, her attention fully on me. “Like…like a panic button?”
“More than that,” I say. “A tracker, too. GPS. So someone can find you. And discreet. Something you’dwantto wear.”
“A necklace?” she asks, her fingers going to her throat.
“Maybe. Or a bracelet. A ring. Something that wouldn’t look out of place.” I tap a few more keys, adding to my notes.
Jethro, who’d been quiet until now, speaks up. “Sounds…complicated.”
“It is,” I admit. “But doable. The technology exists. It’s just a matter of putting it together in the right way.”
“And making it look good,” Ross adds, with a grin. “Can’t have Omegas walking around with clunky tracking devices. Needs to be stylish.”
“Functionandform,“ Oli agrees. “We could design it.”
Sandra is watching me, her expression thoughtful. “It’s…it’s a really good idea, Caleb,” she says, her voice soft. “It could help a lot of people.”
I nod and turn my gaze back to my laptop. I don’t want to come to her with a proposal for the Safe Haven until I know this can be done. I need to come up with an app that can be a securenetwork, so that it can’t be hacked or manipulated by criminals. I’ll also need to make trackers that can be hidden in clothes in case Alphas catch on and take jewelry as well. Covering all bases is best. Especially in this world.
The house feels strangely quiet with Ross and Oli gone. They’re usually a whirlwind of activity, filling every space with their energy. They volunteered to go pick up dinner from the bar, leaving Sandra and me alone. We’re all hyper-vigilant, these days. Not paranoid, exactly, but…aware. The threat of Sergio and his men still hangs in the air, unspoken but ever-present. It’s unlikely they’d find herhere, in Willowside, inourhouse, but “unlikely” isn’t the same as “impossible.”
Sandra seems restless, too. She wanders around the living room, tracing the spines of the books on the shelves, pausing to examine a framed photograph of the four of us – a candid shot, taken last summer, all of us laughing, our arms slung around each other.
She stops in front of a small, antique table tucked into a corner. On it sits a chessboard, the pieces carved from dark and light wood, polished smooth with age.
She glances at me. “Do you play?” Her voice is soft.
“I do,” I reply, pushing myself up from the armchair.
