Chapter 9

"They're not going to keep the place closed for more than a day to try to hunt you down, so both Kristie and I will be at work today," Elias told Jae, who he found poking around on the internet on the watch by the time he got up.

"You're leaving me here alone?" Jae asked, looking up from the watch's hologram.

"Yes; is that a problem?"

"No, I'm just surprised. I know you're willing to help, but I didn't think you trusted me. I could mess something up and be found while you're gone."

"You could also be found while I'm here. Who knows, maybe AI already knows everything?"

"Maybe so, but shouldn't they come for me, then?"

Elias narrowed his eyes. "Unless you're a test. See how one of the frozen people adapts to society now."

"That's a bit cruel to me. Why would they act like I broke out?"

"Technically, you broke out of the room. And yes, it would be cruel. But I actually think Kristie is the reason you're out."

Jae raised an eyebrow. "How so?"

"Because she spilt her drink on your cryo pod and it messed something up inside. When the power went out, whatever she damage, stopped working completely."

"Spilt her drink on me?" Jae chuckled. "How did you figure that one out?"

"Pretty sure I'm the only one that noticed, but there was a bit of residue left behind. A stain. I'm not one hundred percent sure, but it's highly likely she caused this. Now, as to the power outage, I don't know. Maybe AI was rebooting itself and caused a serge. Maybe the outsiders are trying to attack us, and they cut the power to break in somewhere. Who knows?"

Jae smirked. "You've been curious?"

"Who wouldn't be?" He held up his hand. "Don't answer that. Even if you knew people, it's likely the only one who'd voice how curious they were would be Kristie. She thinks AI is up to no good."

"And you disagree?"

"I... I want to. I'm just uncertain. We're practically programmed from birth to trust AI, but hanging out with Kristie will make you question everything."

"That's not necessarily a bad thing."

"Depends, really. It makes life more interesting, but you're also more likely to get into trouble." Elias sighed and looked at his watch. "Anyway, I've got to get going, or we'll be late."

"Go to work with Kristie?"

"Yup." Elias waved back to him and opened his front door to find Kristie ready to knock.

"Morning," she said.

"Morning. Let's go."

"I actually wanted to see how Jae was doing." Kristie craned her neck to look over Elias' shoulder and waved to him.

"As you can see, he's fine. Let's go." Elias herded her out and towards the exit.

"I'll see you later." Kristie waved to him. "Geez, you don't have to be so pushy."

"Yes, I do, or you'll keep trying to talk to him, you lovesick puppy."

"Do you think he noticed?"

"Who wouldn't?"

Kristie did her best to teach her class as her mind constantly wandered back to Jae.

"Miss Reinhart, are you okay?" one of her students asked after she sat staring at her screen blankly for a few minutes when she was supposed to give them instructions.

"Yes, Laurel, I'm sorry I zoned out."

"Can we leave now? Class was supposed to have ended ten minutes ago."

Kristie waved her hand. "Yes, you all may go."

"Thank you, ma'am." Laurel bowed slightly and led the class out.

As soon as the last student filed out, a man in uniform appeared in the doorway. "Kristie Reinhart?"

"Yes? How may I help you?"

"I'm detective Max Webber. I'm here to investigate on the power outage—"

"You're the guy who was interrogating my friend." She glared at him. "I heard you even took him down to the station."

"Ah, yes, I did. I'm sorry if it feels like a full-blown interrogation, but..." He looked around and came in close. "Having him on the loose could be dangerous."

Don't fall for that again. "Having who on the loose?"

He studied her for a moment and backed away. "You talked to Mr. Takius, didn't you?"

"He said you questioned him about the power outage." Kristie shrugged. "Why? What did you expect him to tell me?"

"He really didn't mention anything?"

"Nope."

"Hmm... It'd still be best if we talked."

"About what? As you probably know, I was at home with Elias when the power went out. Couldn't even leave the house during it."

"Yes, that's what he told me. But we're also aware of you lingering in around the cryo pods—"

"Oh, gosh, someone got out of the cryo pods? That's why you asked about someone on the loose? How is that possible?" Geez, I suck at acting.

"That's what we want to know." Max scratched his head and took a deep breath. "Please keep this confidential; we don't want to cause panic, but the pod you stared at on multiple occasions is the one that opened."

Kristie shrugged. "It's not like I did anything. I just liked to look at his face. Have you seen his picture? He's gorgeous. Some of his features seemed a bit soft, but like a prince." Kristie swooned, clapping her hands together with hearts in her eyes.

"You kept going in there to look at him?"

"Yes! Love at first sight. Who wouldn't fall in love with those looks?" Hopefully, I'm not laying it on too thick.

"She's not going to be any help," he grumbled to himself. "I see..." Max cleared his throat and looked around. "Well, if you see him, report it to me." He sent his info to her watch. "We don't know how stable his mind is, so he could be dangerous. Do not approach. We'll do our best to keep everyone safe."

"Okay, sir."

"Don't go up to him just because you like his face. I know we live in a safe society, but he's not from our time; we don't know how he'll act."

Kristie nodded. "Got it."

Max looked at his lack of notes and sighed. "I'm not making any progress. I hope the higher ups have figured something out."

"Unless they're in on it."

He raised an eyebrow. "The higher ups? No way. That can't happen. Why would they do something like that? They're the ones who sent me out to check."

Kristie shrugged. "Seems odd to me someone was able to break out like that with how advanced AI is, and how they have eyes and ears everywhere."

"I... I guess... But AI wasn't looking for him right away, and you can hide from the cameras if you're good enough. He's military trained; he'd probably do better than the rest of us at hiding."

"Even though he's from the past?"

Max nodded and rubbed his scruffy chin. "I've studied history. We train them now, but the lack of real world experience makes a world of difference."

"I see." Surprised he hasn't left already. Kristie kept switching which side she was leaning on as she listened to him rant about the military.

"Well, this old man has taken up enough of your time. Thank you for your co-operation. I'll be in touch if I have any more questions. Stay safe." He gave her a small bow and left.

"Ha..." Once he was out of the room, her legs gave out and she melted back into her chair. Please don't tell me he's going to keep popping up.