> Previous acquisitions: 421
> Error rate: 0.2%
> Timestamp: 06/14/2003 18:22:07
> Location: Downtown Sector 12
> Subject: Aaron M. Hayes – Male, Age 16
> Target Acquisition: 75% [INCREASING]
> Neural Synchronization Protocol: Pending...
> Soulprint Index: Initializing... █░░░░░░░░░ 10%
> Café Node 07: ONLINE
> Controller Status: OBSERVING
Aaron splashed through shallow puddles as rain hammered the cracked sidewalk.
The hood of his white sweatshirt clung to his head, already soaked through.
He scanned the shuttered storefronts, hoping one might be open—just a place to wait out the downpour.
Most were dark. A few looked like they wouldn't welcome a teenage boy dripping rainwater all over their floors.
Then he spotted it.
A squat, gray building crouched at the corner like it had been waiting there all along.
Its faded yellow sign read: Internet Café.
The stone blocks that made up the building were streaked with grime, rainwater crawling down them like tears. Aaron hesitated. He almost kept walking—there was a gas station just down the block.
> Weather Override: ACTIVE
> Rainfall Intensity: +12%
> Target Proximity Deviation: +0.8 meters
> Result: Subject pause initiated
> External Escape Probability: REDUCED
Then thunder cracked overhead like a gunshot.
The sky opened up, dumping cold rain in sheets. His hoodie offered no protection now, the water soaking straight to his skin. Shivering, he sprinted toward the café.
The windows were tinted nearly black, barely leaking slivers of pale, flickering light. He grabbed the door handle—ice-cold and clammy beneath his fingers—and yanked it open.
He stepped into the vestibule... and froze.
> Scanning...
> Biometric pattern match: INCOMPLETE
> Visual lock acquired
> Subject awareness: LOW
The interior loomed behind grime-coated glass doors. As his eyes adjusted to the gloom, he saw long tables arranged like a classroom, each one holding three old computers. Kids sat behind the glowing monitors, unmoving. Blank. Their faces pale in the sickly green light.
Cobwebs clung to the corners of the vestibule ceiling, like they were trying to stay hidden.
Suddenly, the storm outside didn't seem so bad.
He turned to leave.
> Subject initiated retreat sequence
> External sensory escalation: SUCCESS
> Thunder amplitude: +35 dB
> Wind intensity: elevated
> Result: compliance achieved
YOU ARE READING
The Controller
HorrorAccess Log: 06/14/2003 Subject: Aaron M. Hayes - Age 16 Status: Soulprint Complete It was just an internet café. Just a place to wait out the storm. But the machines were already watching. The others never looked up. The screen began to pulse. And t...
