Chapter 30 · Apex Loop: Glitch Evolution - Chapter 30: Survivor's Blood

"Press it."

Vivian's finger stopped above the red Purge key.

The glass between us was already cracked from floor to ceiling. My claws had done that. My blood ran warm along my side, but I barely felt it. The collar around my neck pulsed once, hard enough to rattle my teeth.

Vivian looked at the button. Then she looked at me.

"You really want me to erase you?"

"You keep saying erase."

I stepped closer. Broken glass crunched under my feet. "Maybe you mean kill. Maybe you are finally done pretending you control this place."

Her jaw tightened.

There. A tiny movement. Almost nothing.

I smiled with too many teeth.

"Scared, Doctor?"

"Of you?" She tilted her head. Her white coat was torn at the shoulder, and one thin line of blood ran from her temple to her cheek. She wiped it away with two fingers. "No. I am annoyed. There is a difference."

"Your hand is shaking."

"Your vision is getting worse."

The collar pulsed again.

My knees dipped.

Vivian hit the control panel with her palm. The room answered with a violent crackle.