Arron_Alderson

In the shadow-soaked alleys of a city where memories are both currency and weapon, burned-out detective Maxwell Hartwell is known for his unique immunity to memory extraction, a trait that marks him as both an asset and an outcast. When enigmatic Elena Voss approaches him to investigate the murder of Victor Kane, a top memory trader renowned for his ruthless ambition, Max is drawn into a web of deceit that permeates the highest echelons of society.

Max's investigation leads him deep into the underbelly of the memory trade, where human experiences are bought and sold to the highest bidder, altering personalities and histories at will. As he navigates this dangerous landscape, he's forced to contend with his former partner, Detective Sarah Lim, who walks a thin line between law enforcement and moral compromise. Throughout his journey, Max is aided by the Archivist, a secretive figure who trades in illicit memories, providing Max with information that cannot be obtained by conventional means.

As Max delves deeper into the mystery, he uncovers a disturbing truth: Victor Kane's death is merely the surface of a much larger conspiracy that threatens to topple the precarious balance of power within the city. His investigation reveals a sinister plot to control the memory market, orchestrated by figures that blur the line between friend and foe.

Haunted by fragments of his own inaccessible past, Max must navigate through layers of betrayal and manipulation, confronting painful truths about himself and those he once trusted. The closer he gets to solving the murder, the more entangled he becomes in a struggle for power that will define the future of memory itself.

With the city on the brink of chaos, Max is faced with a choice that will not only determine his own fate but also the fate of a society where memories can be rewritten at will. As alliances shift and secrets are unearthed, Max must decide whether to continue protecting a world that has forsaken him or forge a new path that could lead to redemption—or ruin.

Neon Shadows - Memories of Sin

The rain fell like a relentless whisper, the city's own muted dirge. Max Knight stood on the corner of 5th and Maple, his collar turned up against the downpour, his thoughts as murky as the puddles gathering at his feet. The neon sign of Lou's Diner flickered through the gloom, casting sickly reflections on the wet asphalt. He lit a cigarette, the brief flare of the lighter illuminating the hard lines of his face, the deep furrows of worry etched into his brow.

Inside, the diner was a haven of greasy warmth and dim lights, the clatter of dishes and murmur of conversation a comforting backdrop to his tumultuous thoughts. He slid into a booth at the back, his usual spot, and ordered black coffee. It arrived promptly, steaming and bitter, just like he liked it.

Vivian slipped in across from him, her coat dripping, her eyes searching his. "You look like hell, Max."

Chapter 265: Threads of Darkness