24#24

24

Two weeks had passed since I'd been sequestered in the Obsidian Knights' concealed cellar, surrounded by individuals whose intentions remained unclear to me. They operated with precision, always engaged and concentrated. Meanwhile, I lingered on the periphery, struggling to find my place.

Today found me at a workstation, my fingers hovering uncertainly over the keys. Sue's voice pierced the ambient noise like a bolt.

"Daphne, for heaven's sake, concentrate," she barked, peering over my shoulder. "You have a single task—infiltrating this server. If it's beyond your abilities, then—"

"I've got it under control," I cut in, despite the screen becoming indistinct before my eyes. Battling the encroaching exhaustion seemed futile.

"You're drifting off," Sue persisted. "Do you even grasp the importance of our mission?"

"I said I'm handling it," I retorted, my voice harsher than intended.