He turned back to the screen. The terminal had updated: > RECOVERY SUCCESSFUL. > SUBJECT BROUGHT BACK FROM THE ASHES.
As the progress bar hit 99%, the smell of smoke began to fill his modern, fireproof apartment.
Suddenly, his webcam light flickered on. In the reflection of his monitor, he saw the "Phoenix"—not a bird, but a distorted, multi-limbed figure standing in the doorway behind him in the digital reflection. He spun around. The room was empty.
He turned back to the screen. The terminal had updated: > RECOVERY SUCCESSFUL. > SUBJECT BROUGHT BACK FROM THE ASHES.
As the progress bar hit 99%, the smell of smoke began to fill his modern, fireproof apartment.
Suddenly, his webcam light flickered on. In the reflection of his monitor, he saw the "Phoenix"—not a bird, but a distorted, multi-limbed figure standing in the doorway behind him in the digital reflection. He spun around. The room was empty.
