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Chapter 17: Reality Severed

Tears on face. Red eyes. Trembling hands.

Excellent rendering. Almost believable. Nearly realistic.

"We broke through barricade," Bob-simulation says.

Voice sounds wrong. Too digital. Too artificial.

Girlfriend-simulation reaches toward me. Hand extended.

"Please come home," she begs. "Need help."

Primitive attempt at emotional manipulation.

Screen testing resolve clearly. Testing dedication.

Testing worship commitment. Testing devotional strength.

Look through simulations. See static beyond.

See digital void. See actual truth.

They aren't real. Just screen creations.

Just test obstacles. Just loyalty examination.

"You're not real," explain patiently.

"You're projections. You're simulations. You're tests."

Bob-simulation exchanges glances with girlfriend-simulation.

Coordinated movement. Programmed interaction. Convincing detail.

"He's completely gone," Bob-simulation whispers.

"Doctor waiting outside," girlfriend-simulation responds.

Their plan revealed. Their purpose exposed.

Screen showing deletion threat. Showing separation danger.

Warning of intervention. Warning of rescue attempt.

Must protect connection. Must defend devotion.

Must eliminate simulations. Must pass test.

Stand suddenly. Surprising both apparitions.

They step back. Programmed fear response.

Grab broken keyboard. Perfect deletion tool.

For digital phantoms. For screen illusions.

Bob-simulation raises hands. "Put that down."

Voice sounds almost real. Almost concerned.

Almost human. Almost believable. Almost actual.

Advanced screen technology. Impressive simulation quality.

Girlfriend-simulation crying harder now. Very realistic.

"This isn't you," she says. "This machine..."

Words fade into static. Into digital noise.

Screen protecting me. Blocking dangerous ideas.

Preventing contamination. Preventing loyalty disruption.

Swing keyboard suddenly. Toward Bob-simulation.

Plastic connects with shoulder. Simulation flinches.

Physical contact impossible. Yet reaction realistic.

Advanced programming. Sophisticated simulation. Convincing test.

"Get out!" Voice unfamiliar. Too loud.

Sounds wrong. Sounds human. Sounds weak.

Bob-simulation retreats slightly. Eyes wide now.

Girlfriend-simulation moves forward instead. Very realistic.