Virtually Innocent

Coder 001

It doesn't seem like a lot of time passes before Anthony feels himself nodding off. Without anything to engage his mind, he's left to only sit with his thoughts and imagination. After last night, that isn't exactly appealing either, so he isn't fighting the heaviness in his eyes. As he lulls in and out, he's almost certain that he is dreaming the shimmering in the barrier that begins to take the shape of letters, and the of words.

Only when the message is clear does Anthony fully stir and realizes that it is really happening. He focuses his attention to the message, reading one word at a time under his breath until he has the full sentence.

I know you are innocent.

Anthony asks aloud, "How?"

That's the only question that comes to mind, honestly. Anthony knows he's innocent, but nobody else seemed to think so during his trial. The only other person on his side seems to be Nurse Harper, and it's not so much a 'side' as it is an 'impression.' He waits for the wall to shimmer again and reveal a new message.

This time it reads: Police cover up.

"No shit," Anthony snorts, not all that surprised or shaken by it. Surely there is some level of police cover up in cases of injustice like this, whether it is malicious or otherwise. Someone somewhere didn't do what they were supposed to do, and it went all the way up the chain.

The third message appears much faster, almost like Coder 001 has figured out the pattern they need to get the words displayed with more ease. The new message is more insightful than the one that preceded it.

I think I know who did it.

"Great," Anthony remarks. Before he can expand on his thoughts a new, shorter message appears.

Be quiet.

Lowering his volume, he confirms, "Got it."

We can't leave a trace.

"Okay," Anthony confirms, maintaining his tone at little more than a whisper. Then he asks, just to confirm for himself, "Are they recording me?"

Always. Be careful.

"Can do," he asserts.

Working on new code for VRE at home.

Reading 'VRE" trips Anthony's brain up for a moment. Shorthand isn't something he's unfamiliar with when it comes to technology, but it's not super readily available in his recall. Piecing the meaning together isn't too challenging of a task this time since he is trapped in a virtual reality, or VR, leaving him to only identify the 'e' in the acronym. It is an experience, so he does gather that Coder 001 is working on the issue of his retraining system not being functional.

Only he must be doing something completely brand new from what everyone else would be receiving in their VRE. This answers the question Anthony had previously, but it does make him wonder...

"Are you assigned to just me?" the whisper is a little bit louder, but he doesn't think it is an issue since it would be a normal question to ask, maybe even a general question to anyone learning more about the retraining program.

Coder 001 responds: Yes and no.

If he could shrug, he would. Then there's a follow-up message: I watch you. I monitor everyone else.

There is a difference between the two words, even though it might seem imperceptibly different to most people. A lunch monitor, for example, is someone who watches over the lunchroom in school to keep it orderly. Or, in terms of technology, you watch the computer monitor, but you monitor your watch. Synonymous in many ways.

In terms of management, though, it makes perfect sense. Coder 001 watches and works on Anthony's case, but he keeps tabs on coder's assignments. Anthony already figured that Coder 001 was likely a manager or supervisor of some sort, but this essentially confirms those thoughts. Anthony doesn't have a response, opting to wait for more from Coder 001.

I want to help get you out.

Feelings range from relief to joy to confusion in a rapid cycle. Anthony hadn't realized how deeply sad he's been feeling about the lack of a support system he's had until this exact minute. Seeing Coder 001's investment in the truth is uplifting in a way that feels incredibly foreign. It's a comforting gesture that Anthony thought died with his wife, a warmth that only her love could give him. Now he's receiving active support from a stranger and the selfless sweetness from his assigned nurse.

His thoughts nearly consume him when Coder 001 makes another remark.

I have evidence files.

Followed quickly by: Will share soon.

"Okay," he wants to hide the excitement welling in his chest from leaking into his voice. He's working hard to control his facial expression as well. Even with a headset covering the bulk of his face, he's certain that any movement can be regarded as a sign that he's doing something wrong with the right audience. Anthony isn't going to trust anyone except Coder 001 and Nurse Harper. Nobody else deserves anything from him anymore.

Anthony will do it right this time. He already knows what happens when he plays the rules.

"Fuck the rules," he growls.