Chapter 43: The Sleepless City
The glow of the city lights outside Adam's apartment window pulsed like a living entity, casting shadows across the room. The device sat silently on the table, its metallic sheen catching the occasional flicker from the neon signs outside. Adam paced back and forth, replaying the events of the evening in his mind.
"Who was that guy? And how did he have tech that advanced?" he muttered.
Adam froze mid-step. "You think he's from the future?"
Adam ran a hand through his hair, his mind racing. "Great. So, I'm not just a guy trying to navigate the '90s anymore. I'm a target."
"You're really nailing the optimism tonight," Adam said sarcastically.
He sat down and opened the bag he'd brought from the diner. The device that had caused all this trouble was no bigger than a smartphone, but its weight felt symbolic—like it carried the weight of a thousand unanswered questions.
"Okay, let's figure out what makes you so special," he said, grabbing a screwdriver.
Adam sighed and put the screwdriver down. "Fine. Indirect analysis. What do you suggest?"
Adam rummaged through his closet and pulled out an old PC he'd been using for parts. The machine was outdated even for the '90s, but it would do. He hooked the device up and waited as his phone buzzed with activity.
He leaned back in his chair, staring at the faint glow of the device's interface.
As the minutes stretched on, Adam's thoughts wandered. His encounter in the alley replayed in his mind like a bad movie. The man's confidence, his futuristic weapon, the way he had tracked Adam down so easily—it all pointed to a larger threat.
"Why me?" Adam muttered.
Adam sat up straight. "What is it?"
"Anomalous signals?"
Adam's stomach sank. "You're saying it could mess with time or space?"
A loud knock on the door made Adam jump. He scrambled to his feet, his heart racing.
"Adam, open up! It's Henry!"
Adam exhaled in relief and opened the door. Henry stood there, holding two bags of Chinese takeout and a six-pack of soda.
"Dude, you look like you've seen a ghost," Henry said, stepping inside.
"You have no idea," Adam muttered, locking the door behind him.
Henry set the food on the table and frowned at the device. "That the thing that's got you all spooked?"
"Yeah," Adam said, sitting down.
Henry grabbed a spring roll and took a bite. "Well, if it's that dangerous, why don't you just ditch it?"
"I can't," Adam said. "It's connected to all of this—my phone, the strange guys following me, everything."
Henry chewed thoughtfully. "Sounds like you're in deep. But hey, maybe this is your chance to, I don't know, be a hero or something."
Adam rolled his eyes. "Yeah, because that's exactly what I signed up for."
As they ate, Adam filled Henry in on the night's events. Henry listened intently, occasionally nodding or asking questions. When Adam mentioned the man in the alley, Henry's expression grew serious.
"Sounds like you need a game plan," Henry said.
"Yeah, no kidding," Adam replied.
Henry frowned at the phone. "What'd it say?"
"Basically, I need help," Adam said.
"Good thing you've got me," Henry said with a grin. "And I know just the place to start."
Adam raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"
"There's a guy I know—Eddie. He's a tech genius, even by today's standards. If anyone can help you figure out what that thing does, it's him."
Adam hesitated. "Can we trust him?"
Henry shrugged. "He's a little eccentric, but he's not the type to rat anyone out. Plus, he owes me a favor."
Adam glanced at the device, then back at Henry. "All right. Let's meet him."
Henry grinned. "You won't regret it."
As the night wore on, Adam couldn't shake the feeling that he was stepping into something far bigger than he could handle. The device, the man in the alley, and now this mysterious Eddie—every step forward felt like walking deeper into a labyrinth with no end in sight.
But one thing was clear: whatever the device was, it had the power to change everything. And Adam wasn't about to let it fall into the wrong hands.
End of Chapter 43