ARIA

"This is my last chance," I whispered to the empty room, my voice shaking. "If this fails... then that's it. It’s over."

I reached out, my fingers trembling so violently I could barely aim for the small glass square on the console. I closed my eyes for a second, picturing my father’s face. Help me, I prayed. Just one more time.

I pressed my thumb onto the scanner.

The glass felt cold and unforgiving. I held my breath, waiting for the red light. Waiting for the alarm. Waiting for the end.

Whirrrr.

A soft, mechanical hum filled the silence.

The screen flickered. The red error message vanished.

SCANNING...

FINGERPRINT...