“SIGNAL LOST… TERMINATED AT THE SOURCE”

“Terminated at the source??”

These words meant that there was a technical problem with the connection. But Ben knew better.

They have been listening!!

Damn!! Why did I have to call him!?

Alarmed, he hurried to the Library’s doors, anxious to get out, but an alarm beeped, and the doors were locked. Ben tried to push in vain, but the doors wouldn’t budge. The Library caretaker went to him.

“Sir, if you want to take that book home, you should check it out on the front desk,” he said, pointing to his left. “Old libraries used to do that.”

He thanked the caretaker, and went to the desk. The librarian smiled at him as he handed his book and said, “May I have your Citizen ID Card, please?”

He handed her the card, which she swiped through a scanner. She scanned the book, too, and typed some things on the console. The small printer printed a small information slip, which she handed to Ben with the book and card. “Have a nice day.”

Ben nervously slipped the book in his sack and went to his car. He swiped his ID card on the door slot, and it opened. He hopped in, started the fusion core engines, and sped his way to his residential unit.

I have to leave NOW!

I just have to get some things and I'll be on my way...

Reaching his unit, he parked the car on the sidewalk, hurried through the door, and entered only to take his manuscripts and his clothes. He was very nervous he did not notice that the book fell through a hole in his sack.

He was confused when he entered. He was sure that he left the lights on, and the windows were supposed to be opened, but now they were not. His desk, which usually had some of his manuscripts and dust, was now spotless. He searched for his manuscripts, but he never found them. He placed his sack on the table and realized that the book was missing.

"Where the hell is that goddamned book!?" he growled in frustration. He felt a slight movement on his left, and when he looked there, he could only see the wall with all the framed certificates in it. Somehow the certificates were all blank.

He realized that he was looking at a government agent, he realized he made a mistake, signing his own death certificate, but he realized it too late. An invisible hand covered his mouth, gripping him cheek to cheek, and as he tried to resist, a sharp pain pierced his throat. He instantly lost conciousness.