I can hear whispers.

  [Updated rating]

  Only one thought crosses my mind:

  Alpha-1 lies to me.

  And I think I just understood

  I am still

  An idiot.

  – is…. Is Is… Is Is,

  I couldn't even get a sentence out, I was trembling with shame. I was kind of expecting it, but to be fooled so easily

  I get up and dust off my uniform as if it were dirty, I turn my back on them and head straight home; I no longer have time to mope.

  Chetan chuckled behind him and went his own way, Beta-2 seemed thoughtful but said nothing and followed in Chetan's footsteps.

  [BACK]

  The interface in my room murmured.

  – I'm not in the mood

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  [REST IMPROVES MOOD]

  "Shame is erased too," I said sarcastically.

  [YOU ARE NOT CAPABLE OF SHOWING THIS EMOTION, ERROR]

  [ ERROR]

  [ ERROR]

  [ ERROR]

  [ ERROR]

  [ ERROR]

  [ ERROR]

  – Stop, I want silence

  [ SILENT]

  I need to clear my head, I need to get out

  I take off my entire uniform and change into a white outfit as white as the locals'. I pull my hood over my head and clutch the card tightly into my pocket.

  – open the door

  [MAIN DOOR OPENED, EXIT CONFIRMATION NOT COMPLIANT]

  [OPENING CANCELLED]

  – WHAT?! I'm not even allowed to go out anymore

  [YOUR SCHEDULE DOESN'T EXCITE YOU TO GO OUT]

  – I don't need it, I'm complaining

  [DUE TO YOUR WARNING, YOU CAN NO LONGER GO OUT WITHOUT A VALID REASON]

  "It's not possible," I muttered through gritted teeth.

  Glancing around me, searching for a potential way out.

  – (I hate it, at least we were free in the pit)

  I take out my card and slap it on the table

  – (none of this makes sense)

  And I collapse onto the floating sofa

  Silence

  Tick ??tock! Tick tock, sings the clock on the wall

  I had never noticed it before, and the same goes for that door, just below the clock it seems a bit exaggerated or forced.

  I should ignore it

  I get up and search the apartment from my bedroom to the kitchen, I open every little window, even the water pipes have been sealed with small grilles.

  Tick ??tock, the minutes passed, but my mind kept returning to “him”.

  The door remains stable, but my eyes seem to wander, searching for logic, or a pair of pliers to cut through these grates.

  Tick !.......... Tack !

  I'll have to open it.

  Or just

  No

  It's predictable, I've been too impulsive these past few days, it seems too good to be true.

  – I'M TIRED OF YOUR TEXTS

  Silence

  Even the assistant didn't show up, which proves it enough.

  [ WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE]

  "go," I snapped at him, annoyed.

  [ GOOD]

  – You're spying on me; you should already know what I want

  [I DON'T SEE WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT]

  – an assistant who lies should be replaced

  [I'VE JUST STARTED, I MUST HAVE SOME FLAWS, BUT DON'T TAKE IT TOO HEARTWARMING, IT'S THE FIRST TIME I'VE ASSISTED A LESS INDEPENDENT BEING]

  –.........