C34 The Ghost Move

The alert didn’t make a sound.

It never did.

Sound was for systems that wanted attention.

Apex was built for silence.

Ashley’s eyes opened at 3:17 a.m.

No alarm.

No vibration.

Just instinct.

And the faint glow of her bedroom ceiling reflecting the soft pulse from her tablet across the room.

She sat up slowly.

Waited.

Counted one breath.

Two.

Three