The Hacker and The Sparking Genius

Knock Knock

Knock knock.

"Ms. Paquette."

Caustic knocked on the door, finding that it was, unusually, locked.

He waited a few seconds before becoming impatient.

Knock knock knock.

"Ms. Paquette. Are you working on something? Must I come back when you are not busy?"

Silence.

Caustic turned around, ready to walk away.

"And now you will just walk away?"

He paused, and looked back.

Standing there was Wattson, red-rimmed eyes indicating that she had been crying.

"You made zis mess, and you will just walk away from it?"

"I'm afraid I misunderstand," Caustic informed her. "What 'mess' have I created?"

"You sold us out to Revenant. You framed your crimes on Hyeon. You've caused us all a very great amount of grief, and now we must clean it up!"

"I do not know what you mean," his voice held no emotion.

"Goodbye Dr. Nox," Natalie said coldly. "You are no longer welcome here."

The door slammed, leaving Caustic bewildered.

Knock knock knock.

"Ms. Paquette! What is the meaning of this?"

Silence greeted him.

He grumbled under his breath while walking away.

"What annoying specimen corrupted her mind like that?"

***

Knock knock knock.

Why would someone be knocking at this time?

"Hyeon? Are you awake?"

Crypto had stiffened in his seat, the voice making him startled, causing him to drop the chip he had been planning to attach to Hack.

Knock knock.

"Hyeon?"

He cursed silently, picking up the chip and putting it in a more noticeable place away from edge so he didn't lose it.

He sighed, getting up and walking over to the door.

He put his hand on the knob...

And he paused.

Did he really want to do this right now?

Come on, you idiot. She's gonna go back to her room at this rate. And then she won't...

Oh god-

His hands were shaking.

Fuuuck...

He elongated the word in his mind, taking his hand off the knob.

But he had to do this...

Except he didn't know how.

He took multiple breaths, trying to calm himself down.