No pattern on the surface.
But that’s the point.
“And they’re saying,” I continue, voice tightening, “that Lark’s system generated it.”
Silence.
Then—
“That’s not possible,” Aaron says.
“No,” I agree. “But it doesn’t have to be.”
Because perception—
Perception is already moving.
My stomach sinks as I watch the coverage spike.
Panels lighting up.
Experts speculating.
Agencies reacting.
“They’re creating panic,” I say. “And using her name to validate it.”
“And justify emergency powers,” Aaron adds.
“Yes.”
That’s the play.
Fear → urgency → control.
I zoom in.
Closer.
Closer.
There.
Something’s off.
A pattern.
But not the right one.
“Oh no…”
“What?” Aaron snaps.
I isolate a subset of names and overlay it with known behavioral markers.
It doesn’t align.
Not cleanly.
