Rogue Element [Cyberpunk]

The night wore on, I shared with him the unsettling feeling of being watched that had lingered with me since leaving TriColor Corp. Uncle Chen cast a wary glance around the dimly lit area of Megablock 4. A few people milled about, but nothing seemed out of the ordinary. He sighed and poured another drink, but I shook my head.

"These last few days have been a rollercoaster, Uncle Chen. I think what I really need is some rest," I said, feeling the weight of all the recent events pressing down on me.

Uncle offered to walk me to my flat, but I declined. "I'll be fine. It's not far."

Together, we started cleaning up the stall. Despite his evident tipsiness, Chen moved with a practiced ease, clearing plates and glasses. As we worked, he broached the subject of my job offer again.

"Marlene, take the offer. But don't let those corporate types change who you are. You're stronger than you think," he advised, his voice steady despite the alcohol.

I smiled, a mix of appreciation and contemplation on my face. "You know, I'll be turning 30 this year."

"Ah, thirty," he said, nodding with a smile. "In Chinese culture, it's considered a significant age. It's said to be the time when youth gives way to maturity, when you start to harvest the seeds you've sown in your twenties."

He paused, his gaze thoughtful. "And you know, based on your birthdate, you're born in the Year of the Rat according to the Chinese zodiac. The Rat symbolizes intelligence, adaptability, and resourcefulness. It's also a sign of new beginnings and opportunities."

I couldn't help but let out a light laugh. "So, I'm going to become a corporate rat, then?" The irony wasn't lost on me, but Uncle Chen's insight gave me a sense of peace.

Uncle Chen chuckled softly. "If you are to be a rat, be the cleverest one. Remember, the Rat is also a sign of prosperity and success. Embrace it, Marlene."

We finished cleaning up, and I helped Uncle Chen lock up the stall. "Thank you for everything, Uncle Chen," I said sincerely.

He smiled warmly. "You're always welcome here, Marlene. Remember, wherever you go, be yourself."

With those parting words, I made my way back to my flat, the events of the day replaying in my mind.

Wearily returning to my tiny apartment, I felt the effects of the evening's alcohol beginning to intensify. My mind was fuzzy, thoughts swirling in a haze of uncertainty and liquor. I fumbled with the keys, my hands unsteady, a sense of foreboding creeping up on me. I couldn't shake off the feeling of being watched, the paranoia heightening my senses.

As I finally managed to unlock the door and pushed it open, a quick movement caught the corner of my eye. I spun around, heart racing, but saw nothing.

"Get a grip, Marlene," I muttered to myself, shaking my head in an attempt to clear the haze. But the sight that greeted me inside my apartment froze me in place.

My apartment was in complete disarray. Shelves emptied, belongings strewn across the floor, my PC lay overturned like a wounded animal. The sight of my belongings, carelessly violated, sent a wave of anger and violation through me.

My tiny living space was in disarray. Shelves emptied, their contents strewn across the floor. My computer lay on its side, a silent victim of the intrusion. In the bathroom, my shower items were scattered, creating a chaotic mosaic on the tile. Toby, my faithful plant, lay upended, its soil spilled like an open wound.

A cold fear settled in my stomach, cutting through the alcohol's fog. My knees buckled, and I found myself on the floor, gently gathering the spilled earth with trembling hands. Each handful I returned to the pot was an attempt to restore some semblance of order to this chaos.

Toby wasn't just a plant; it was a living piece of my world, a silent witness to the highs and lows within these four walls. As I cradled the pot in my arms, something shifted inside me. "Who would do this?" I whispered, my voice barely audible. The sense of being watched, the persistent unease I had felt earlier, now made a chilling sense.

Hugging Toby to my chest, I moved to sit on the bed, the only uncluttered space. The room felt alien, its violated state casting a shadow over my familiar retreat.

"I'll get through this," I whispered into the green leaves, a promise to both Toby and myself. "We'll get through this together."

After a while, my heart raced as I checked the apartment. Nothing seemed to be stolen, but the message was clear: someone had been here.

I woke up with a start, my eyes slowly focusing on the pale light seeping through the window. It was already 1 p.m., the sun high in the sky, casting sharp shadows across my chaotic room. My head throbbed with the remnants of last night's liquor, a bitter reminder of the party and the unsettling events that followed.

Lying there, still in yesterday's clothes, I felt a mixture of discomfort and a strange sense of excitement. The fabric of my outfit clung to my skin, a reminder of the night's escapades. Pushing myself up, I gently placed Toby, my plant, back on the windowsill. The sun bathed it in a warm glow, a stark contrast to the disarray around me.

As I started to tidy up, I couldn't help but recall the events of the previous day. The feeling of being watched, the violation of my space, it all swirled in my head, creating a sense of vulnerability I wasn't used to. I moved around, picking up scattered belongings, each movement causing my clothes to shift in a way that reminded me of my own body's contours.

Taking a deep breath, I pressed a hidden button under my bed, revealing a secret compartment in the wall. My fingers trembled slightly as they hovered over my raw devices, my prototypes. The AuraSync Biofeedback Regulator, my pride and joy, and my glove, a feminine design concealing a paralyzer. I decided to keep the glove out. Its presence was reassuring.

While cleaning, I found myself in front of the mirror. Stripping off the remnants of yesterday, I examined my reflection. My eyes were tired, but my body still held the strength and resilience that had carried me this far. My fingers traced over my skin, lingering on tender spots. The tight outfit from the day before had left its mark, a subtle reminder of its snug embrace.

Stepping into the shower, I let the hot water run over my body. It felt soothing, almost sensual, as I washed away the grime and the lingering sense of unease. My thoughts were a whirlpool of uncertainty and desire. The droplets of water on my skin felt like little caresses, urging me to relax and let go, even if just for a moment.

After the shower, wrapped in a towel, I felt somewhat refreshed. The chaos of my room still awaited, but for now, I had found some peace. I began to dress, choosing my clothes carefully. The sensation of the fabric against my clean skin was tantalizing. My trousers seemed a bit snug, hugging my curves a bit too closely. "C'mon, I didn't get fat," I muttered to myself, half-annoyed, half-amused.

As I dressed, my mind wandered to more intimate thoughts. It had been a while since I was with someone... since I felt the warmth and excitement of another's touch. A flush crept up my neck at the thought. "Not like there's anyone anyway," I sighed to myself.

I sent a message to the administration of Megablock 4, my fingers deftly tapping on the comlink. "Requesting security footage from the 44th floor, near flat 143, citing safety concerns. Please expedite in accordance with resident privacy rights, per legal code 16.3." I knew they'd drag their feet, but I had the law on my side.

Next, I messaged Castor. "Had an intrusion in my flat last night. I'm okay, heading over to your shop after grabbing some food."

His reply came quick, laced with his usual humor. "The only intrusion was probably you stumbling in drunk!"

"No, Castor, someone was actually in my apartment," I typed back, frustration seeping into my words.

His next message lacked the usual jest. "Did they take anything?"

"No, but lately, I've been feeling... unsafe," I admitted.

"Heard about it from Uncle Chen. Told me to keep an eye on you," he replied.

A facepalm emoticon was my only response as I finished dressing.

With a resigned sigh, I decided to forgo makeup today. Gently unraveling my braid, I let my hair cascade freely over my shoulders, feeling its weight shift with every movement. As I was about to head out for some food, a nagging thought stopped me. TriColor Corp. I still hadn't given them an answer. The thought of becoming a corporate pawn, a 'rat' as I saw it, weighed heavily on me.

Then, my comlink buzzed. It was a response from the Megablock 4 administration. "No evidence of unauthorized entry near flat 143. Attached security footage for reference." I watched the footage, a growing unease knotting in my stomach. It showed only me, no one else. How could that be?