Page 66 of Black Reign

Could have been someone waiting for a taxi.

I had shut down enough cameras that even I couldn't reconstruct it later.

That had been the point.

I wanted the choice to remain mine.

Then I saw him standing there.

And panicked.

Not because he looked dangerous.

Because he didn't.

Because suddenly Ghost might become real.

And real things can leave.

Screens are safer.

NULL is safer.

People don't know where you live.

They don't touch you.

They don't die.

I stare at the coffee.

That last thought comes from Papa.

It always does.

I push it away.

My screen flashes.

Ghost.

My stomach does something humiliating.

GHOST: Alive, Miss London Bridge?

I stare.

Then laugh.

He is awake.

European time.

As usual.

VESPER: I told you I hate that name.

GHOST: My friends disagree.