After Mike left, Lily carefully checked the room, finally understanding why he'd placed the device on her earlier. An audio monitoring system was concealed within the ventilation ducts; someone was monitoring Lily and everyone else in the building. Unsurprisingly, this was just one of several monitoring systems, including hidden cameras and other surveillance technology. Living here was far scarier than prison.
However, Lily was prepared. She retrieved her phone and a small card from her bag—a card containing several fine, silver threads and a miniature lighter-like device. After setting it up and connecting it to her phone, she texted Alexander, confirming her safety.
Alexander, the provider of this high-tech device, was from a company still in the prototype phase. The device, unavailable commercially, blocked monitoring systems from tracking her activities. Even pre-installed monitoring applications on her phone would be rendered ineffective.
Lily had initially been skeptical, but after witnessing Alexander's demonstration—proving a typical audio monitoring system could no longer pick up her conversations—she'd brought the device here. Although her phone was protected, she avoided making calls, texting Alexander instead.
His reply was brief: "Okay. Be careful there!" Lily, however, understood his unspoken concern. Smiling, she sent an emoji acknowledging his message, then washed up and prepared for a nap. 'I have much to do soon,' she thought, 'and need my rest.' She recalled her promise to Alexander: her health and the baby's well-being were her priority.
Falling asleep quickly, Lily slept soundly for two and a half hours, awakened by her alarm. Knowing Mike would arrive soon, she washed her face but didn't change her clothes. Wiping her face, she noticed her somewhat fuller features, yet her complexion remained excellent despite her recent hectic schedule. Their children were thriving, their strength a source of pride.
Memories of her pregnancy with Galen surfaced—a time of leisure drastically different from her current reality. Shaking her head, a warm feeling filled her heart as she smiled at the thought of him. This spurred her onward, fueling her determination to regain her peace and tranquility.
Suddenly, she looked in the mirror, making a funny face and then, feeling certain the cameras would capture it, extending her middle finger. The man monitoring the surveillance screens in his office was speechless.
A knock came at the door. "Lily, it's time to go," Mike called. Tidying herself, she opened the door, meeting his gaze with energy. "Let's go."
They left their dormitory building, turned a few corners, and entered a small, white building, seemingly indistinguishable from others. In fact, its unassuming appearance, dwarfed by the surrounding buildings and vegetation, made it almost invisible.