It happened again, that night in Tabor Park, near the riverfront. The city seemed a little darker and unusually foggy for this time of year. Pyraci had just jacked back in after a sudden collapse and removal fro the simulation. As he made his way towards Kari, the young girl that found herself in exile, he wanted to keep a positive mind, but knew that there was something going on - the problem remained, he feared.
His suspicions were shortly confirmed, once he found her in the quiet reception area.
“Kari, as a program, you can see things in the code, the rest of us wouldn’t be able to, right?”
“So…something like that.” She replied, rubbing her arms in half-nervousness, half-anxiety.
He glanced at her with an uneasy frown on his face, removing his glasses. “Is…there something still here? From that program?”
“Y..yes, I’m afraid so…” She mumbled, scanning him with her eyes quickly.
He lowered his head for a moment. “Why was I afraid you were going to say that?”
Moments later, ChloeAnn, RandomLogic, and the sagely Mehujael arrived. Pyraci felt the need to give those that were broadcasting a heads up on the situation. He introduced them to Kari and moved on to the subject at hand.
“She is in need of our help. She is now in exile because of the 'incident' with the Error”
“What happened?” The sage asked.
“Sure!” RandomLogic added in the background.
“I...that is...most of us had recently become outdated.” She placed a hand on the door labelled “SMEE“, then immediately retracted it, looking around at the rest of the party.
“Outdated? Hmph.” barked the older man, ridiculing the actions of the Machines. “The Error. What do you know about ‘him?’“
“I...I don't”
Pyraci interjected. “That's the thing... she's here because of me, in part.”
“My skillset majorly dealt with-ith the incidents in which the Sweeper programs attacked bluepill civilians.” The emerald-clad Kari added. “Prynne was assimilated after his job was finished. I...I don't know what happened to Preston.” She glared around again.
“Wasn’t he the one that got shot?” ChloeAnn asked.
“Puh...Prynne was shot.” The Emerald replied.
“I've heard those names, yes.” Mehujael whispered, folding his arms.
“Quite a situation, eh?” Pyraci said as he slumped in a chair next to the door as the party nodded in agreement.
“Well... to make matters worse… she says there's still something wrong…” He pointed at his temple. “At any rate...they'll surely be after me, once word gets out.”
“…As well as anyone that tries to help this time.” He added.
The room fell silent until Mehujael moved forward and spoke. “Well then... What shall we do to expel this ghost that haunts you?”
Pyraci replied within a breath “That's what I need to find out, my friend.” He continued, shaking his head. “I'm out of rational explanations as to why this is still happening.”
ChloeAnn turned towards him. “I guess me coming back wasnt such a bad idea now, was it?”
“Perhaps…”
After a few more moments of conversation, everyone agreed it was time to leave. Everyone except Kari.
“There's a...I need to talk to someone there..”
“Alright.”
“I'm so sorry. I'll...I'll come as soon as I c-can.”
“Alright, Kari. You can reach any of us if you need.” Pyraci reassured her with a nod.
The group left, everyone leaving the building before Pyraci, who made his way slowly to the hardline near the riverfront, processing his thoughts. As he approached the hardline, he heard something move behind him, but saw nothing when he looked around. He turned his head again towards the phone as it began to ring, in an unusual volume, picked up the receiver and faded.