Jared didn't wait anymore.
He acted.
"…you're doing something again," Iris said.
"…yes."
"…I can tell."
"…pattern recognition improved."
"…I've been around you too long."
"…confirmed."
Back in his room—
Laptop open.
Multiple screens.
Data flowing.
"…what are you even trying to do?" Iris asked.
"…find them."
"…that's it???"
"…for now."
"…that sounds like the beginning of something worse."
"…accurate."
Jared traced movement logs.
Cross-referenced locations.
Built a pattern.
Then—
Stopped.
"…interesting."
"…I don't like that word anymore."
"…they're not hiding."
"…WHAT."
"…they're letting me trace them."
Silence.
"…that's a trap."
"…yes."
"…and you're still going to follow it."
"…yes."
"…OF COURSE YOU ARE."
Jared leaned forward.
Eyes sharper.
If it's a trap…
Then use it.
"…countermeasure," he said.
"…I really don't like where this is going."
"…we reverse the observation."
"…meaning?"
"…they watch me."
A pause.
"…so you watch them back?"
"…no."
Silence.
Jared's voice lowered slightly.
"…I let them think they're watching."
Iris blinked.
"…that sounds worse."
"…it is."
"…I regret meeting you."
"…unlikely."
Jared began typing again.
Faster.
More aggressive.
Because now—
This wasn't just reaction.
It was strategy.
And for the first time—
The balance shifted.
Slightly.
"…this is just the start," he muttered.
"…I don't want to know what the middle looks like."
"…escalation continues."
"…I KNEW YOU WERE GOING TO SAY THAT."
Jared didn't smile.
Because now—
He understood something clearly.
They weren't just testing him.
He was becoming—
Part of the system.