Jared didn't stop.
He accelerated.
"…you've been quiet," Iris said.
"…processing."
"…that's never a good sign."
"…depends."
"…on WHAT."
"…outcome."
Jared's screen filled with data.
Not just tracking them—
Mapping behavior.
Movement patterns.
Response delays.
Environmental influence.
"…you said they're watching you," Iris said.
"…yes."
"…so how do you flip that?"
A pause.
Jared's eyes sharpened.
"…I become unpredictable."
Silence.
"…you? unpredictable?"
"…intentional disruption."
"…that sounds worse."
"…it is."
Jared stood up suddenly.
"…we're leaving."
"…where?"
"…random."
"…THAT IS NOT A LOCATION."
"…exactly."
They moved.
No fixed direction.
No pattern.
Left.
Right.
Back.
Forward.
Iris struggled to keep up.
"…you're walking like a broken GPS."
"…pattern disruption."
"…I'M GOING TO FALL."
"…adjust."
"…I AM TRYING."
From a distance—
The observers watched.
"…he changed behavior," one said.
"…unpredictable movement."
"…he noticed."
Silence.
"…increase pressure."
Jared stopped suddenly.
"…they reacted," he said.
"…HOW DO YOU KNOW?!"
"…delay reduced."
"…I DON'T UNDERSTAND YOU."
"…not required."
Jared exhaled slowly.
Because now—
The balance shifted.
Slightly.