Chapter 31 · Reset Protocol - Chapter 31: Vera's Body Casts Its Vote

"Don't touch me."

Vera's voice came out wrong. Too low. Like something else was using her throat.

Mark stopped three feet away, hands up. "I'm not going anywhere."

"You should." Her right arm twitched. The skin rippled, dark veins spreading under the surface like cracks in ice. "It's getting louder."

"What's it saying?"

"That you're food." She laughed, sharp and bitter. "That I should stop pretending I'm still the girl who worked the night shift and let you steal energy drinks."

Mark took another step. "You kicked me out twice for that."

"Third time I let you pay in cash." Her fingers curled, nails scraping the concrete. "You left a ten on the counter and told me to keep the change. Four dollars. Big spender."

"You smiled."

"I did." Her voice cracked. "I did, and now I can't remember what that felt like. I just know I should rip your throat out and the protocol will give me a better reward than four dollars."

Mark closed the distance. Vera's eyes snapped up, pupils blown wide, almost black. Her breathing hitched.

"Back up," she said.

"No."

"Mark—