The keyword of the week || The Auyantepui project.

The aroma of coffee reached Sonya's nostrils as soon as she crossed the entrance of the meeting place: an old coffee shop located in the center of the city, called "The Hidden Corner". In the place, the constant murmur of conversations seemed not to matter for most of the diners; although it was not the same for her friend Roberth, who evidenced discomfort in his facial expressions.

Roberth White was a lonely man in his 40s, a former computer programmer, with whom he had shared a brief romance during his college studies some 18 years ago. His face, once expressive and dreamy, now exhibited a nervous twitch in his left eye that caused it to open and close repeatedly. She wore discreet clothes, without flashy colors, so as not to draw attention to herself.

His words, mostly were figurative phrases to imply what he wanted to express, and when he was not speaking between his teeth, he used to cover his lips so they could not read them, as if the air itself was interested in what he might say. He carried an old phone, an analog model from the 2000s, only to be used in case of emergencies. Sonya found him sitting at the farthest table, a place intentionally chosen to hide in the surveillance camera's blind spot.

-Here? Of all the possible places, you had to choose this one? - Sonya asked, as she sat down across from him.

-This place has its own advantages: blind spots in the cameras, the ambient noise makes voice analysis difficult, and, besides, the plate itself serves to hide the latest generation signals. -Roberth answered, as if he were the most wanted spy for Homeland Security.

Sonya Smith was a successful journalist, quite pragmatic; a 40 year old woman with a sharp mind, and a full schedule of activities, which left her little free time. Notifications on her SmartPhone were a constant in her daily life.

-You and your stuff, Roberth. -Sonya said, while checking the phone signal on her cell phone.

-That's useless; there's no signal in this place, Sonya. I told you that was one of its advantages. -commented Roberth.

-Please, Roberth, there's no advantage to it, and besides, it's inconvenient. I can't believe you're still on your digital detox. You were the best programmer in college. Now you're more paranoid than ever. -said Sonya.

-It's not paranoia, Sonya. The digital world is not safe. Everything can be hacked or programmed to be used at our whim, and that's what they do; that's how they spy on us. -said Roberth.

-They spy on us? Please. You know I don't believe in that. -Sonya answered skeptically.

-Well, you should, because every Smart TV, every SmartPhone and every device that is connected to a network allows it. What do you think the internet of things is for? That's how the government and big corporations are watching us. No one has secrets anymore, and you have to be careful about all the things you do. -Roberth argued, and just paused while they served the coffee Sonya had ordered.

-Please... That takes a lot of logistics. They can't keep an eye on all of us. There are too many of us. Besides, what's in it for them? -Sonya asked, then savored her coffee.

-The truth is that there are many benefits. This way you get a lot of information, and even if there are many of us, you only need to filter the data of the person of interest and that's it. Nowadays, there is software for everything. -explained Roberth.

-You summoned me for this? I thought you had other interests. We've only met a couple of times in the last eight years. -Sonya asked.

-I needed to warn you. I know you are handling research related to a major corporation associated with the government, and I don't want anything bad to happen to you. You should know that you represent a risk for them, and they will do anything to prevent you from exposing what is behind the Auyantepui project. -warned Roberth.

As he spoke, his analog phone, which never rang and which he only carried for emergencies, vibrated unexpectedly inside his pocket. Roberth took it out, looked at the small screen and on it he read: “Unknown number”, and hung up immediately.

-You see. We are being watched. No calls should be coming into this phone, it doesn't even have a SIM card. -Roberth said, with facial gestures that showed his concern.

-Please Roberth, you're a programmer, and I'm just a journalist. We are not terrorists. Let's enjoy this coffee and talk about other topics. It's been a long time since we've seen each other. -said Sonya.

Just after she uttered those words, Sonya's SmartPhone rang. It was her personal voice assistant. Sonya tapped the screen to hear the notification, and then an electronic voice said the following:

"Meeting with Doctor Bernard at 14:00 hours. Remember to bring information related to case H145678."

-Thank you, assistant. -Sonya replied.

-Is there anything else pending for today? -she then asked.

-No, Sonya; however, I remind you that you have not yet started your registrations on the Auyantepui project. Do you want to start now? -asked the application.

Sonya's eyes widened and then she looked at Roberth with an expression of uncertainty, incredulous at the personal assistance software's suggestion. Roberth placed his index finger over his own lips to instruct her to remain silent and not say anything about it.

-No, assistant. Thank you. -She said after understanding Roberth's direction.

-Do you still doubt my warnings? I think I chose the wrong place. We must leave. -said Roberth, with a bitter face and evident annoyance.

Roberth got up from the table and took Sonya by the hand to leave the place. She, although hesitant, accepted without objection.

-Act discreetly and don't look at the cameras. -said Roberth.

Sonhya nodded in agreement and did not utter a word; she just followed behind him.

When it was time to pay, the cashier, a young man that both Roberth and Sonhya would swear they had never seen in that coffee shop, handed them the bill. After receiving the money from Roberth's hands, the young man indicated.

-It was a pleasure to serve you, gentlemen. I hope you enjoy your day and that you solve the project problem. -He said with a clear and defined voice, a low tone, his facial expressions slightly serious and his eyes with a hint of mischief.

Roberth did not answer; instead, he just nodded as if in slow motion, a silent confirmation. Sonya, for her part, felt her body freeze, as a shiver that bristled her skin ran up and down her spine. The air conditioning was suddenly colder than ever.

They both walked and left the establishment.

-What was that all about? -Sonya asked.

-I told you! It's dangerous what you're trying to do. -answered Roberth.

-I don't know, I still have my doubts. What can't be proven, are only hypotheses of our imagination. -Sonya answered, with her usual skepticism, although her face showed signs of concern.

-Did you come in your own car? -asked Roberth, as they walked away from the place.

-No, I took an Uber. -said Sonya.

-Come on, I gave you a ride! I can't let you go alone. It's a risk. -Roberth exclaimed, and then guided her to his 1993 Toyota Corolla.

They both got in, and then Roberth started the ride. Sonya, pensive, visibly affected, did not dare to say a word for a long time; however, after a few blocks, she finally dared to break the silence.

-Do you really think I'm in danger? -asked Sonya, after a few minutes, in a worried voice.

-Of course... but for now, stay calm and fasten your seat belt. We're being followed! said Roberth seriously while constantly looking in the rear-view mirrors.

-Who? How?" asked Sonya, incredulous, as always, a trait typical of her personality, although slightly altered by the stress the situation was causing her.

-The black van, behind us. They've been following us since the moment we left the cafeteria. Possibly they are undercover government agents. -Roberth speculated.

For Sonya, this was the last straw. Annoyed by Roberth's paranoia, she completely ignored her friend's request and, instead of following his instructions, she simply turned around; her curiosity prompted her to do so: she needed to find out for herself. Finally, her eyes saw what she had refused to believe: a black, luxurious van, without license plates, was right behind them, barely twenty meters away. The driver of that unknown vehicle, impossible to appreciate, every time Roberth changed channels or turned at some intersection, did the same. "Oh, my God. They are really following us. Roberth is right... he's always been right," he thought, as nervousness completely took over his being.

-Robert, it's true. You are right. I'm scared. You won't let them catch us. -Sonya said, a bundle of nerves.

-I asked you to fasten your belt! Hurry... I'll try to lose them! Trust me. -Roberth said, without taking his eyes off the road.

No sooner had he fastened his seat belt than Roberth put his foot down on the accelerator and made some reckless maneuvers, zigzagging between two vehicles. He then crossed a red light without stopping or slowing down. This action left the pickup truck that had been following them trapped in the traffic light intersection. He then turned right at the next corner and subsequently turned left.

-He thought you lost them. Not anymore, they're following us. -Sonya said, still revved up from the adrenaline rush.

-You must stay away from that project! I won't always be there to take care of you. Please, Sonya, understand how dangerous it is. -said Roberth.

-I know, Roberth, I know now and I created you. I'll keep my nose out of it. I won't put my life at risk for it. -Sonya said, convinced it was the best thing for her.

-That's the best you can do, but still keep your eyes open. Maybe they will continue to watch your steps. -said Roberth.

Finally, after making sure that no one was following them and that there were no risks, Roberth left her in front of her house, safe and sound.

-Thank you, Roberth, I don't know what would have happened to me without you. I owe you this. -Sonya said as she said goodbye.

Sonya, that day, entered the interior of her house with a different vision: there was no place to hide; espionage was real, a reality very different from the one she had always imagined. Roberth, with her paranoia, had always been right. Her world had caught up with her and now she had to be cautious.

Roberth, for her part, drove far enough away from the residential complex where her friend lived. After a brief moment, he stopped the vehicle in a quiet place. With a serene calm and a smiling expression, very different from the one she had shown in the presence of her friend, she took her old cell phone, removed the battery cover and then inserted a Sim Card in the cell phone. She covered it again and then turned it on. She then dialed a phone number she knew by heart and made the call.

-Did you meet the target? -asked the voice that answered the call.

-Yes, sir. Sonya Smith will no longer be a nuisance to the project. -Roberth replied.

---

• Royalty free image generated with Gemini.
• Invited @paholags, @emmabritt and @hljott.
• Here is the link to the Contest: "The keyword of the week".

---