Chapter 3

Ashton's face was a mask of concern.

"Actually, Mom, Dad," he said, his voice dripping with reluctance, "I didn't want to say anything, but I saw Ethan earlier today. Near that shady clinic downtown. He was asking about... fake medical reports."

System Prompt: Subject Ashton's calumny initiated. Target: Subject: Ethan's credibility. Outcome: High probability of parental belief.

My parents stared at me, horror dawning on their faces.

"Fake reports?" Mr. Harrison choked out. "You were trying to fake Leo's death?"

"What? No! The hospital has all the records. Dr. Ramirez can tell you."

But I knew it was useless. The hospital, the doctor, they were just facts. Ashton was their truth.

"I can't believe this," Mrs. Harrison whispered, clutching Ashton's arm. "Our own son."

Mr. Harrison's rage was back, tenfold.

"You disrespectful, deceitful boy! After everything we've done for you!"

He was breathing heavily.

"Alright," he said, his voice tight with fury. "A final test, Ethan. Your very last chance to prove you have any worth at all."

System Prompt: "Final Test" protocol initiated by Subject Harrison. Objective: Imposition of impossible task to reinforce Subject Ethan's failure.

"You want money for this... cremation?" he spat the word. "You earn it. Two thousand dollars. One week. Legitimate means. Not by begging or lying."

He thought he was being generous, offering a path to redemption. The prompts told me it was just another setup.

I looked at Ashton, who met my gaze with a small, triumphant smile.

My parents turned and left, Mrs. Harrison leaning heavily on Ashton.

I was alone in the silence of my tiny apartment.

Despair was a cold knot in my stomach, but Leo needed me.

I had to do this.

I picked up my phone and started calling, looking for extra shifts at the 24-hour diner where I worked part-time.

I looked around my room, at the few possessions I owned. A worn guitar, some old textbooks, a small collection of Leo's favorite comic books.

They would have to go.