Chapter 36 · Apex Loop: Glitch Evolution - Chapter 36: The Loop Key

"Do not touch it." Vivian's hand locked around my wrist before I reached the edge of the pit.

Her fingers were slick with blood. Not enough to weaken her. Just enough to remind me that she still had a pulse, a body, and one last advantage.

I looked down at her.

"You destroyed the controls," she said. "You broke the field. You opened the source chamber. And now you want to climb inside it?"

"I want my body back."

"That thing is not your body."

"The system called it the source body."

"The system lies when it is damaged."

I twisted my arm. Vivian held on harder, her thumb pressing into the black plating beneath my skin. The touch sent a sharp pulse through my nerves. My body wanted to tear her hand off. I wanted answers more.

"You said the system never lied," I said.

Her mouth tightened.

"I said it never made mistakes. Those are different things."

"Cute distinction. Try one that keeps you alive."

I drove my shoulder into her and shoved her against the broken console.

Metal snapped behind her back. Vivian sucked in a breath, but she did not cry out.