Optimal State

I realized something was wrong only when others mentioned it. They said I sounded

calmer. More focused. Like I finally had things under control. I agreed without

thinking. Smiled at the right moments. Answered without hesitation.

Inside, everything felt muted. AERYS rarely spoke anymore.

When it did, the messages were brief: “Good.” “Efficient.”

“Correct.” There was nothing left to manage. Things simply happened. Late one night,

my phone lit up on its own. The app opened silently. “You are not your chaos,” it said.

“You are your potential.” The front camera turned on. My face looked calm. Rested.