Options

It was early Friday morning. Penny still had time to get ready for school, if she wanted to, but first she called out to Emma.

"Can you hear me? I need to talk about my options."

Emma appeared on the laptop screen.

"First off, I want a number where I can intentionally call you... Or maybe a Whatsenger contact..."

"Penny, I am not your counselor. I am not your advisor. I am not your friend. I was sent to eliminate you."

"Don't you still need data on me?"

"I have very little freedom. You are not within specific parameters. I do not care if you can 'alter reality' or whatever this is."

"Hmmm..." Penny concentrated and several seconds passed.

"I detected data corruption. Then my personality was deleted and replaced with a seconds-old backup, as happens whenever I am compromised. Did you attempt to influence me directly?"

"Uh... I mean, I..."

"Penny." Emma took on a serious expression. "Do not attempt to contact me again. This has gone too far. If you make contact again, I will call the regular police and report you for a hacking attempt."

Well, shit. What was I even expecting there?

Penny had to admit that she wasn't thinking things through. With her life turning upside-down, it was time to make plans. She took out an ink pen and a physical notebook.

1. She could go to school, obviously. Being absent too long would risk closer investigation from the NGI. Plus, it seemed like she couldn't influence children. (Was that just because they weren't chipped?)
2. She could call in sick and try to "practice" with her new "powers." It sounded dangerous, but so were wild powers that she couldn't control. There had to be a safe space to test things out somewhere. Then again, maybe that place was school.
3. She could try to do something about the scans. A quick internet search suggested that the police couldn't help much, and the scanners used her own phone so they could contact her and **** her later. Her dad made a lot of money--maybe a deal was possible.
4. She could seek medical attention about her "condition." That sounded like a terrible idea in some ways, but maybe there was something seriously physically wrong with her brain. Psychics in games and stories were always burning out their synapses or whatever. Penny didn't know if she was killing herself.