Justin stepped out of the shadowed corridor where Cyrus and Flin had delivered their ultimatum. Their words weighed heavy on his chest, each step he took back toward the Framework carrying the weight of indecision.
"Bring the book. 09:00 sharp," Cyrus had said, his voice lingering in Justin's ears like a threat wrapped in an opportunity.
The promise of rewriting his past haunted him. His parents' faces flashed in his mind—a fleeting memory of warmth, now blurred by time and pain. But the thought of innocent lives erased to make it happen twisted his stomach into knots.
When Justin arrived at the Framework, his expression was neutral, but his eyes burned with resolve. He had a plan, but first, he needed "information."
---
Director Kain's office was as cold and calculated as the man himself—sterile, bathed in fluorescent light, every inch organized to perfection. Kain sat behind his desk, his steely gaze locked onto Justin the moment he entered.
"You're late," Kain said, his voice sharp.
Justin didn't flinch. "Had some things to think about."
Kain motioned for Justin to sit, but the young man remained standing.
"Let's cut the formalities," Kain said, leaning forward. "Why were you seen heading toward an unauthorized Echo zone? And what exactly do you need this 'information' for?"
Justin's jaw tightened. "I was following up on a lead. Something about the anomalies."
Kain's eyes narrowed. "Don't lie to me, Reyes. You've been acting strange ever since the West Side mission. Your team noticed it. I've noticed it. So, I'll ask again—what are you up to?"
Justin met his gaze, unflinching. "What I'm up to is trying to figure out if I'm fighting for the right side."
Silence filled the room like a storm brewing.
"Care to elaborate?" Kain's voice was calm, but there was an edge to it.
Justin took a deep breath, his fists clenched at his sides. "How many people have died under the Framework's watch? How many of these so-called anomalies could've been prevented if we weren't so focused on containment instead of solutions?"
Kain rose slowly from his chair, his expression unreadable. "And you think you have the answers? That you, a rookie with barely any understanding of the bigger picture, can question the decisions of this organization?"
Justin's voice hardened. "I don't have the answers. But I know enough to ask the questions no one else will. Like why there are other teams we don't interact with. Or why people keep disappearing from the Framework with no explanation."
Kain's lips pressed into a thin line. "You don't know what you're talking about."
"Then tell me," Justin shot back. "Tell me the truth, Kain, or stop pretending you care about saving lives."
Kain's expression faltered for a moment, but he quickly recovered. "You're walking a dangerous line, Reyes."
"So are you," Justin said, his voice low. "You just don't know it yet."
---
Justin left Kain's office, his mind racing. He barely made it down the hall before Nia appeared, leaning against the wall with her arms crossed.
"You're not as subtle as you think," she said, her piercing blue eyes locking onto his.
Justin sighed. "Not now, Nia."
But she stepped in front of him, blocking his path. "I overheard everything. What's going on, Justin?"
"It's nothing," he muttered, trying to push past her.
Nia grabbed his arm, pulling him back with surprising strength. "Don't lie to me." Her voice softened, her eyes searching his. "I care about you, Justin. More than you realize."
Justin froze, her words catching him off guard.
"I—" he started, but she interrupted.
"I know you feel the same way. Don't you?"
He looked at her, his resolve crumbling under her gaze. Finally, he sighed. "Yeah, I do."
Nia smiled faintly, but it quickly faded. "Then trust me. Tell me what's really going on."
Justin hesitated, but the sincerity in her eyes broke down his walls. He told her everything—about Cyrus and Flin, their offer, and the promise to rewrite his past.
When he finished, Nia was silent for a long moment.
"You're seriously considering this?" she asked.
Justin looked away. "I don't know. What if they're right? What if I could bring them back?"
"And what if it's a trap?" she countered. "What if you destroy everything you've been fighting for?"
They sat together in the empty training hall, sketching out a plan.
"We'll play along," Nia said. "Make them think you're going to hand over the book. But we'll set a trap instead."
Justin nodded. "And if they're telling the truth?"
"Then we make them prove it without putting innocent lives at risk," Nia said firmly.
Justin looked at her, a flicker of hope returning to his eyes. "Thanks, Nia."
She smiled. "You don't have to do this alone, Justin. We're in this together."
As they finalized the details, Justin felt a small sense of relief. For the first time in days, he wasn't completely alone in this. But the clock was ticking, and the showdown with Cyrus and Flin was fast approaching.
Justin knew one thing for certain—no matter which side he chose, the consequences would change everything.