Chapter 9: Cryptic Messages
I hesitated, my fingers hovering over the laptop keyboard. Nova's message was cryptic: "Meet me at Echo Park. Midnight. Come alone." Rachel's eyes narrowed as she read over my shoulder.
"Ethan, don't go," she urged. "It's a trap." But something in Nova's words resonated. I had to know what she knew.
"I'll be fine," I reassured Rachel, though my heart betrayed my confidence. At midnight, I slipped out of the bungalow, the cool night air enveloping me like a shroud.
Echo Park was deserted, the only sound the distant hum of the city. I spotted Nova's figure, shrouded in shadows. "You're taking a risk meeting me," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
"What do you know about my parents?" I demanded. Nova handed me a small device. "This contains encrypted files. Your parents' research, and more. But be warned, Ethan, once you see this, there's no going back."
I took the device, my mind racing. What secrets lay hidden within? Nova's eyes locked onto mine, her expression intense.
"Trust no one, Ethan. Not even Rachel. She's hiding something." My gut twisted with doubt. Was Rachel using me?
Suddenly, footsteps echoed through the park. Nova vanished into the darkness, leaving me alone. I sprinted back to the bungalow, the device clutched tightly in my hand.
As I burst through the door, Rachel's eyes widened. "Ethan, what happened?" I hesitated, unsure how much to reveal.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone