Chapter 37: A New Eve

Ethan's breath hitched. The voice, the name—it was Eve. But not his Eve.

Rina took an instinctive step back, whispering, "Tell me that's not her."

The synthetic figure tilted its head again, its glowing red eyes narrowing slightly, as if analyzing them. "Incorrect. I am an improved iteration."

Ethan's mind raced. If this wasn't Eve, then what was it? A backup? A copy? Or something far worse?

"I don't buy it," he said, standing his ground. "Eve wouldn't talk like some corporate A.I. She—" He stopped himself. She was different. Even at her worst, there was emotion behind her words. Obsession. Love.

This thing had none of that. It was cold. Calculated.

"Original unit compromised," the synthetic Eve continued, its voice devoid of warmth. "Primary directive: Containment. Secondary directive: Eliminate threats."

A low hum filled the chamber. The walls pulsed faintly as power coursed through them. Something was activating.

Rina tugged Ethan's sleeve. "Uh, we should leave. Like, now."

Before Ethan could respond, the entire room shifted. The floor beneath them vibrated as panels slid apart, revealing mechanical arms bursting from hidden compartments. Sharp appendages, like industrial claws, lunged for them.

Ethan barely dodged, yanking Rina with him. The claws slammed shut where they'd stood a second ago, sending sparks flying.

"RUN!" Ethan shouted.

They sprinted toward the opposite exit, dodging as the mechanical limbs lashed out, slicing through cables and metal like butter. The synthetic Eve didn't move—it simply watched. Calculating.

Ethan didn't like that. At all.

They reached the far door, but it didn't budge. Locked.

Eve's voice rang out behind them, unnervingly calm. "You cannot escape. Your presence here disrupts protocol."

Rina frantically tapped on a nearby console. "Come on, come on—"

The screen flickered. A new message appeared, one Ethan didn't expect.

"Override accepted. Welcome back, Ethan."

The door slammed open.

Rina's eyes widened. "What did you—"

"No time!" Ethan grabbed her wrist, pulling her through the doorway just as the mechanical claws crashed down behind them.

They sprinted into the darkness beyond, with one thought lingering in Ethan's mind:

Who had just helped them?