Logan held the phone in his hand, completely stunned. The video replayed in his head—the replica smiling, the accusation. What had started as a joke in a bar had escalated into something deeply troubling.
Fay appeared as a blue flicker in the corner of the ceiling.
[User status: volatile]
—Logan, this is a heavy burden for you right now. I recommend temporary isolation.
Isolation. It was something he used to be familiar with, but now it felt strange. He had agreed to lay low out of necessity.
Logan opened the drawer and pulled out the envelope with part of the money he had earned. He placed it on the nightstand and stared at it like it might catch fire at any moment.
—Did Elena really lie to me...? —he murmured, voice cracking—. But if she did... why the hell would she send me the video that exposes her? What's the point?
He ran a hand down his face, as if trying to scrub away the confusion.
—Aagh... this makes no sense. None of it fits. Nothing.
A call broke the silence in the room. Logan looked at the unknown number and hesitated for a second before answering.
—Hello?
—Good afternoon, Mr. Logan. I'd like to speak with you —said a male voice, formal but with a tone that seemed to avoid tension.
—Who is this?
—It's Paul.
—Paul...? Do I know you?
—Yes. We met at the Marble Dome. I'm the consultant.
Logan fell silent. The voice matched perfectly. The guy in the gray suit, the one who handed him the envelope.
—What do you want?
—To talk about Miss Elena —Paul replied.
—Is it true she killed her father?
There was a pause. That line seemed to carry enough weight on its own.
—It's... complicated to explain over the phone. I'd prefer we meet in my office. Elena won't be there; she's being investigated over those accusations. I'll be able to clarify things properly.
—I hope so —Logan said, jaw tight.
—Of course. I'll send you the location now.
The message arrived seconds later. Logan read it, got dressed without thinking too much, and left. The night air felt heavier than usual.
---
The Walls headquarters looked like a massive tower of glass and steel, with clean lines and a futuristic aesthetic. The main entrance had an arch of light that scanned each visitor, and the company logo floated in hologram above the door.
As he stepped through, he was greeted by a floating sphere the size of a human head. It had an animated digital face, with large eyes and an innocent smile.
—Oh! You must be Logan Flux, right? —said the robotic orb with cheerful enthusiasm—. Welcome to Walls. Mr. Paul is expecting you in meeting room 3B. Would you like me to escort you?
Logan eyed it with suspicion.
—Relax... just tell me where it is and I'll go.
—Of course, sir —the orb smiled—. Second floor, left hallway, third door. Don't worry, there are no cameras in that room. It will be a private conversation.
The sphere floated aside, clearing the way.
—By the way, sir —the robotic orb interrupted just as Logan was about to walk away.
—Yeah? —he said, barely turning his head—. What is it?
The digital face flickered. For a moment, the animated eyes seemed more expressive... almost human.
—Please... —it said in a lower tone—. Save Miss Elena. I beg you.
Logan froze. Not because of the words, but because they came from a machine. He turned slowly, stared at the polished floor of the lobby, and stood still for a few seconds. Then, without a word, he continued walking toward the elevator.
---
Meeting room 3B was completely dim. The lights were soft, and the air smelled of fresh paper. Paul stood by the window, his back straight and hands clasped behind him—something that clearly wasn't his usual posture.
—Thank you for coming —he said without turning—. Not everyone does when things get messy.
Logan sat down without replying. The silence between them was thick.
—What do you know about Elena? —Logan asked at last.
Paul turned slowly. His face was calm, but his eyes were not.
—Enough to know that what you saw... isn't the whole story.
—So she didn't kill her father?
Paul approached the table, placed a locked tablet in front of Logan, and sat down.
—Depends on who you mean by "Elena."
Logan frowned, sensing something shifting beneath the surface of the conversation.
—What are you implying?
Paul held his gaze, unblinking.
—The Miss Ginflow you know... has a sister who wasn't born with that surname.
Logan leaned forward slightly.
—You're saying...?
—Yes —Paul nodded, after a pause—. She was adopted. Many years ago. For reasons that, to this day, remain unclear.
Logan leaned back in his chair, processing.
—That's... unexpected. But what does that have to do with her father's murder?
Paul lowered his voice, as if the walls might be listening.
—As I said, the biological daughter of Alberto Ginflow is the Elena you know. But there's another. And that other... disappeared seven years ago. She was presumed dead by the family. At least, until a few days ago.
Paul looked down for a moment, as if the weight of what he was saying pressed on him.
—She's alive. And she's not alone. She's with the people from URANUS.
Logan leaned in. Silence fell again. He felt something slithering beneath the conversation.
—So the killer...? —Logan asked.
—I suspect it's not the Elena who sent you the video, but the one who vanished. The one who now has the resources to replicate you and manipulate the narrative to destroy her.
Fay projected a blurry image: two nearly identical girls—one with a cheerful gaze, the other with slightly hollow eyes.
—Why are you telling me this now? —Logan asked.
Paul unlocked the tablet. He didn't show everything. Just one line of text: Project Gemini: restricted file.
—Because if you don't do it, no one will. And because she... Elena... deep down, she still wants someone she can trust. Someone who might save her.
Logan stood up. He said nothing. The tablet remained there, waiting to be read.
Fay whispered in his ear:
—Logan, this is something you won't be able to handle with your current skills. Are you really sure you want to do this?
Logan looked at the door, then let out a long sigh.
[Mission 003: Uncover the truth surrounding Elena Ginflow
Confirm?] [yes] [no]
Reward: Skill — "Momentary Protection"]
—So, Paul... what plan do you have in mind? —Logan said as he pressed [yes]
—End of Chapter 6—