Chapter 7 - The Red CollarThe metallic click of the collar opening echoed loudly in the quiet church.
Elena held the red collar in her palm for a moment, feeling its cold metal weight. It was the same collar her father had given them both on their eighteenth birthday—a symbol of a pact, a twisted tracker that connected their nervous systems to a private satellite network.
Without a word, she dropped it onto the floor at Max's feet.
"Elena, no," Max pleaded, dropping to his knees once more, ignoring the dirt and blood on the floor. "Don't do this. We can disappear. We can leave all of this behind—the corporation, the clones, the past. Just you and me."
"There is no 'us,' Max," Elena said, her voice chillingly steady. "There hasn't been for six years. You died in that fire with my father. The thing standing in front of me is just a coward wearing his face."
Director Vance stepped forward, holding a heavy manila folder. "He's right about one thing, Elena. The corporation is still active. And the network isn't deactivated just because you broke the collar."
Max whipped his head around, glaring at the Director with pure venom. "You promised me immunity if I delivered the data!"
"I lied," Director Vance replied coldly, signaling her men. Two tactical officers grabbed Max by the shoulders, hauling him violently to his feet. "Project Janus cannot have loose ends. Especially not the primary prototype."
As they dragged Max down the aisle, he fought furiously, screaming Elena's name over and over until his voice echoed out into the rainy street outside.
Then, silence returned to the cathedral.
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Elena stood alone amidst the ruins of her wedding. The grand white dress felt heavy, like a shroud. She walked slowly toward the altar console, where the micro-SD card was still blinking softly in the media player.
She reached out and pressed the eject button. But as the card slid out, a secondary file automatically loaded onto the screen—a file encrypted with her father's personal biometric signature, timed to open only when the primary loop was broken.
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