Deadlocked Novels & Stories

--- It would be silent. --- And unstoppable.

"You really think a digital lock can hold me? What the fuck were you thinking, Gregory?" Madison slammed the heel of her hand against the sleek mahogany desk. The screen in front of her blinked a mocking, neon red. ACCOUNT FROZEN. ASSETS SEIZED. The cursor throbbed like a taunting heartbeat. Across the room, the wall-mounted television flickered to life, showing a news ticker about the Clarke Empire’s sudden, catastrophic liquidity crisis.

“I’m afraid of control without accountability.” The Guardian spoke again. “Architect Ethan Carter.” “Vote required.” The screen pulsed. Waiting. Marcus’s voice dropped into a whisper. “You built this system with me.” Ethan met his eyes. “Yes.” “And that’s why I know how dangerous it is.” The station speakers crackled. The Guardian spoke again. “System deadlock detected.” Noah whispered, “…Deadlock sounds bad.” The AI continued. “Final vote required.” Ethan stepped toward the console. His hand hovered over the keyboard.

Done hiding. The White Wolf has risen.

INACTIVE is reclassified as PENDING AUTHORIZATION. IDENTITY FRACTURE is reclassified as DISPUTED. UNCLASSIFIABLE STATE is reclassified as CONTINUITY ERROR. The room falls silent. Then the screen freezes. When it returns, the classification has changed. NON-RESOLVABLE EXISTENCE STATE — AUTHORITY DEADLOCK. No one speaks. The system is no longer uncertain. It has declined to render a determination. I step back, my chair scraping softly across the floor. Cassian Vale remains motionless.

No way to clean this up in time. "Fuck, fuck, FUCK."

Nemera's voice broke into sobs. Isabella faltered for a moment, then sneered even more viciously. "So what? It was just an undeveloped fetus. Like I care." … I watched as Nemera, with calm precision, kept her recording device running, slowly baiting a confession out of Isabella. At that moment, I knew—Isabella's end was inevitable.

Dead or alive. Whatever it took.

Lillianna shook her head trying to shake herself together before she refilled his glass. “You have one job…” Marla was speaking to her now. “Like how hard is it… You’ve been here long enough to know not to keep AJ waiting.” “I’m sorry…” Lillianna was about to sob. She was freaking out. Was Paul dead? Was he hurt. “Something wrong Lillianna?” AJ asked her now. This bastard knew what he was doing… “No…” She found it hard to look into his eyes. “You sure… You look a little pale…”

**Morale Hits an All-Time Low** The pack's den, once a vibrant sanctuary echoing with laughter and camaraderie, was now steeped in a suffocating silence that enveloped it like a heavy fog. The very air felt thick with despair, a tangible force that pressed down on the remaining members, who were all too aware of the affliction that had swept through their midst with ruthless efficiency. Sickness had infiltrated their ranks, leaving behind a calamitous trail of anguish and suffering that numbed the hearts of the strong who clung desperately to the vestiges of hope.