And a single .txt file appeared on the desktop, titled READ_ME_NOW.txt .

Text appeared. Old-school green phosphor, like a terminal from 1995. for Windows 7 SP1 Do you accept the visual contract? [Y/N] Ethan hit Y.

It wasn’t a person.

Marco stepped back. “Yeah. No.”

Ethan looked at the little green light beside his monitor. It was on.

He reached for the power strip.

The timer on screen hit 10 seconds. 9. 8.