Chapter 62 - Ava
Ava
The door is exactly where it should be.
Hidden.
Reinforced.
Sealed like it was never meant to be found.
My pulse ticks faster as I step up to the panel.
I don’t hesitate.
My hand presses flat against it.
The surface lights instantly.
Recognition.
Of course.
“Welcome back.”
The voice echoes through the room.
Smooth.
Familiar.
Cold.
My stomach drops.
“Hayes.”
His voice fills the space like he’s standing right behind me.
“You always were my greatest success.”
My jaw tightens.
“I’m not yours.”
A soft chuckle answers me.
“We’ll see.”
The locks disengage.
One by one.
Slow.
Deliberate.
The door slides open.
Inside—
The system.
The node.
The control center.
Exactly like I remember—
only bigger.
Deeper.
Alive.
My pulse spikes.
This is it.
I take a step—
and the world tilts.
Hard.
Pain slams through me, sharp and blinding.
My breath stutters.
My knees buckle—