Echoes of the Algorithm

Truth Revealed

Maeson stared at Ava in the dark alley. The cold wind blew past them. The red dot on his phone screen continued to blink. He shook his head. That is not possible, he said softly. My sister is just a sick little girl. She has been in that hospital bed for three years. She cannot be the magic child you are looking for.

Ava grabbed his phone. She pointed to the glowing map. Look at the direction they are taking her, she said. Her voice was urgent. My father had secret files on a hidden mountain sanctuary. It is an ancient place built to contain the dark magic. He believed the catalyst, the only person who can absorb the energy, was hidden there. But if he already found the child and if his men are taking her there now we are out of time.

Maeson felt his blood run cold. He thought about his sister. He thought about her strange illness. The doctors could never figure out what was wrong with her. Her body was just weak. She needed machines to breathe. But what if she was not sick at all? What if her body was just reacting to the ancient quantum energy buried deep inside their bloodline?

We need a car, Maeson said. He put the phone back in his pocket. He looked down the dark alley. We cannot catch them on foot.

Ava nodded. Follow me, she said. My father keeps emergency vehicles hidden in a private garage a few blocks away. It is for high level executives only.

They ran through the shadows. The city around them was falling apart. The purple smoke in the sky blocked out the stars. Street lamps flickered and died. People broke store windows and stole food. The loud sounds of sirens and breaking glass filled the night air. Maeson held his heavy black bag tight against his chest. He focused only on the steady rhythm of his breathing.

They reached a heavy metal door set into a brick wall. Ava typed a fast code into the keypad. The light turned green. The heavy door slid open. Inside, a row of sleek black cars sat in the dark.

Take the keys from the wall box, Ava instructed.

Maeson grabbed a set of silver keys. He clicked the unlock button. The lights of a fast sports car flashed in the dark garage. They both jumped into the front seats. Maeson started the engine. The loud roar of the motor echoed off the concrete walls. He slammed his foot on the gas pedal. The car shot out of the garage and into the broken city streets.

Which way? Maeson asked. He gripped the leather steering wheel tight.

North, Ava said. She looked at his phone screen. Just follow the red dot. They are moving fast, but this car is built for speed. We can catch them before they reach the mountain base.

Maeson drove like a madman. He swerved around crashed cars and burning trash cans. He ignored the red traffic lights. His mind was racing faster than the car. He had spent years trying to hide from the world. He just wanted to pay bills and keep his family safe. Now he was driving a stolen billionaire car, running from trained killers, and his little sister was the key to saving the world.

Why did your father want the dark magic? Maeson asked loud enough to be heard over the roaring engine.

Ava looked out the window. Power, she said quietly. The ancient code is a source of limitless energy. He believed whoever controlled the magic would rule the modern world. He spent his whole life searching for the relic. But he needed two things to make it work. He needed a brilliant mind to translate the code. And he needed the magic child to act as a living battery.

He needed my artificial intelligence, Maeson realized aloud. And he needed my sister.

Yes, Ava replied. And since you hid your identity so well, he decided to use force. He knew the child would draw the creator out of the shadows. He used her as bait.

Maeson tightened his grip on the wheel. I will destroy them all if they hurt her.

The city buildings began to fade away. The dark road stretched out ahead of them. Tall trees replaced the concrete towers. They were entering the dense forest that surrounded the old mountains. The air here felt different. It was heavy and thick with the strange purple fog.

The tracking signal is getting stronger, Ava said. She leaned forward. They are slowing down. The mountain road is too steep for their heavy transport vehicle.

Maeson pushed the gas pedal harder. The sports car roared up the winding road. He could see two red tail lights glowing in the dark fog ahead of them. It was the mercenary transport van.

Hold on! Maeson shouted. He drove right up to the back bumper of the heavy van.

Suddenly, the back doors of the van flew open. The tall mercenary with the hawk pin stood inside. He held a massive weapon resting on his shoulder. It was a rocket launcher, and it was pointed directly at their windshield. He pulled the heavy trigger. A bright flash of fire lit up the dark night. The very deadly rocket flew straight forward.