Chapter 16 - The Paper Trail
Three weeks later.
The morning sun streamed through the window of a quiet diner on the coast of Northern California. Waves crashed rhythmically against the rocky cliffs in the distance, miles away from the neon noise of the metropolis.
Sarah sat at a corner booth, sipping black coffee while reading the morning newspaper. The front-page headline blared: STERLING DYNAMICS COLLAPSE: FEDERAL INVESTIGATION EXPOSES GLOBAL CONSPIRACY.
The article detailed the total liquidation of Vance’s empire, the arrest of dozens of corrupt officials, and the complete destruction of Project Aegis.
The diner bell chimed as Leo walked in from the back patio, wearing a simple gray hoodie without any cryptic letters. He carried two plates of pancakes, setting one down in front of Sarah with a bright grin.
"The radio said the highway down south is clear," Leo said, sliding into the booth. "We can hit Oregon by nightfall."
"Sounds like a plan," Sarah said, folding the paper and setting it aside. She looked at him thoughtfully. "No weird glitches? No blue lights?"
Leo shook his head, pouring syrup over his pancakes. "Nothing. Just... normal."
"Good," Sarah smiled. "Normal is good."
May you like
Suddenly, a sleek black sedan pulled up to the diner's curb outside. A man in a sharp grey suit stepped out, holding a brown leather briefcase. He walked straight into the diner, his eyes locking onto their booth.
Sarah’s hand instinctively dropped to her side under the table, her knuckles whitening.
