A Second Chance at Forever (Eleanor and Bernard) novel Chapter 1405

Slim fingers danced across the keyboard, tapping out a rhythm as rapid as the heartbeat of a hummingbird. The screen before Cedric flickered with lines of code, each barrier crumbling under his deft touch. But when he reached the core of the program, his pulse stalled. The chip's software split like a cell, doubling its defenses. His gaze shot up to Bernard, who sat with the serenity of a monk in deep meditation.

"Bernard, I've heard whispers about this tech on the dark web," Cedric said, his voice tinged with disbelief. "They say it's meant to monitor and control, like something out of a dystopian sci-fi. How did you come across it?"

Bernard's eyes, cool and detached, shifted to meet Cedric's troubled stare.

"It's in my head," he replied, his tone as casual as if discussing the weather.

A chill raced through Cedric, a serpentine cold wrapping around his ankles and slithering up his spine. "B-Bernard, that's like a doomsday device. How on earth did it end up inside your head?"

While Cedric's face was a canvas of shock, Bernard remained as composed as ever, his acceptance of the situation bordering on the unnerving.

"It exists, and that's that. Just focus on whether you can shut this thing down," Bernard said, his voice devoid of self-pity, always brushing off the gravity of his pain as if it were mere dust on his shoulder.

Cedric's heart ached for him, his fingers lifting from the keyboard, drawn irresistibly to Bernard's head. Though invisible to the eye, Cedric knew too well the agony his brother must have endured for that chip to be implanted in his brain.

Tenderly, he ruffled Bernard's thick hair, his touch a silent lament for the suffering endured. "Does it hurt, Bernard?"

Bernard wasn't one for physical affection, save for Eleanor's gentle touch, but in this moment, he allowed Cedric's concern to break through his armor. He didn't flinch, nor did he pull away.

After mere seconds, Bernard gently halted Cedric's hand. "There's bigger fish to fry. I need you to disable the surveillance, GPS, and the self-destruct mechanisms in this thing. Only then can we take Siren back to Area Opaca and come out on top. Otherwise, stepping foot in there will be a suicide mission."

The specialists arrived, putting aside their own work to assess Bernard's situation. After extensive consultation, they reached a consensus.

"Mr. Laurence," one doctor began, "the probability of brain death if we remove the chip is 100%. We strongly advise against the surgery."

Cedric, overhearing this, went pale. "But if we leave it in, won't that be even more dangerous?"

The doctor pointed to the X-ray. "The chip has moved to where the tumor was and is laced with a virus. Even the smallest incision could lead to infection. Leaving it in place gives you more time."

In the face of impossible choices, Bernard stood at the crossroads between life and death, the weight of his decision as heavy as the fate of Siren.