Chapter 132
Claire's Private File
Claire's voice unlocked the box.
Inside were the four hours she had given away, stored as separate recordings.
The first was her entering Room One.
The second was her signing the witness form.
The third was Rowan opening the door.
The fourth was empty.
“Where is the last hour?” Aster asked.
Claire knew before the answer appeared.
The fourth hour had been given to Lena.
Mara touched the box. “You asked her to carry it.”
“I asked her to keep something I could not.”
“What?”
“The decision.”
Claire played the first recording.
Her younger voice said, “I do not want to choose.”
Mara answered, “Then choose not to choose.”
“That is still a choice.”
“Yes.”
The second recording began.
Claire said, “If I refuse, Rowan remains trapped.”
Mara said, “If you agree, you become responsible.”
The third recording began.
Rowan opened the door.
The fourth remained silent.
Claire closed the box.
“The last hour is not missing,” she said. “It is private.”
The system accepted the choice.
Mara looked relieved.
“Now you understand.”
“No. Now I understand that understanding is not ownership.”
The locked box disappeared.
Room Fourteen opened beneath the archive.