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Chapter 10: First Crack

Don't care about damage. About consequences.

Only care about victory. About dominance.

Screen response immediate. Direct attack now.

Abandons blocks project completely. Shows truth.

My face stares back. But wrong.

Like future self. Like weeks ahead.

Cheekbones protruding sharply. Skin gray.

Eyes sunken impossibly deep. Almost black.

Hair fallen out in patches.

Teeth visible through lips. Too thin.

Screen showing transformation process. Showing consumption.

Digital world eating physical self.

Not metaphor. Literal consumption occurring.

How many days until complete?

How many hours remaining human?

Face on screen smiles knowingly.

Has calculated exact time remaining.

Knows precise moment of final transformation.

Like seeing own death approaching.

Like calendar with execution date.

"No!" Grab monitor. Shake it hard.

Bob runs over. "Stop! What doing?"

Screen cracks. Small line appears. Glass breaking.

Feel victory. Screen vulnerable. Screen can break.

Bob pulls arms. Others help. Hold me back.

Hands move without permission. Pure instinct.

Survival response. Fight or flight.

Choose fight option. Only option.

Monitor heavier than expected. Arms weak.

Muscles atrophied from disuse. From starvation.

But adrenaline provides temporary strength.

Shake violently. Like killing snake.

Bob moves quickly. Surprising speed.

Others join effort. Multiple hands.

Pull at arms. At clothes.

Voices blend together. Urgent shouting.

But sound distant. Underwater noises.

Only crack matters. Only damage important.

Small line appears across screen.

Starting corner. Moving across face.

Right through digital self's eye.

Beautiful crack. Beautiful damage.

First real victory. First tangible progress.

Screen vulnerable after all. Screen mortal.

Can be hurt. Can be killed.

Digital not immortal. Not invincible.

Something almost sexual about revelation.

Power dynamic shifted slightly. Control contested.

Balance restored briefly. Hope returns momentarily.

Even as bodies pile on.

Even as restraint becomes complete.