A Second Chance at Forever novel (Eleanor and Bernard)

Chapter 1405

Slim fingers danced across the keyboard, tapping out a rhythm as rapid as the heartbeat of a hummingbird. The screen before Cedric flickered with lines of code, each barrier crumbling under his deft touch. But when he reached the core of the program, his pulse stalled. The chip’s software split like a cell, doubling its defenses. His gaze shot up to Bernard, who sat with the serenity of a monk in deep meditation.

“Bernard, I’ve heard whispers about this tech on the dark web,” Cedric said, his voice tinged with disbelief. “They say it’s meant to monitor and control, like something out of a dystopian sci-fi. How did you come across it?”

Bernard’s eyes, cool and detached, shifted to meet Cedric’s troubled stare.

“It’s in my head,” he replied, his tone as casual as if discussing the weather.

A chill raced through Cedric, a serpentine cold wrapping around his ankles and slithering up his spine. “B-Bernard, that’s like a doomsday device. How on earth did it end up inside your head?”

While Cedric’s face was a canvas of shock, Bernard remained as composed as ever, his acceptance of the situation bordering on the unnerving.

this thing down,” Bernard said, his voice devoid of self-pity, always brushing off the gravity of his pain as if it were mere dust on his

Bernard’s head. Though invisible to the eye, Cedric knew too well the agony

Bernard’s thick hair, his touch a silent lament for the suffering endured. “Does

for physical affection, save for Eleanor’s gentle touch, but in this moment, he allowed Cedric’s concern to break through his armor. He didn’t flinch, nor did he pull away.

and the self-destruct mechanisms in this thing. Only then can we take Siren back to Area Opaca and come out on top. Otherwise, stepping

gravity of what Bernard had faced in Area Opaca. Without another word, he dove back

enemy, Yates, aware of Bernard’s efforts, sent a countdown signal as a warning. But Bernard, knowing all too well that Yates wouldn’t play his hand so soon, instructed Cedric

Cedric suggested they move to the group’s computer center for more firepower. Bernard made him swear to secrecy

as he did, new code cascaded across

functions. I can buy us time by delaying the reactivation of the monitoring and GPS, but the self-destruct… I can’t even simulate the code. It’s nearly impossible, unless…”