A soft whirring sound comes from behind me.
Hundreds of children.
“No,” I whisper. “But I’m about to find them.” Missing Children-PLAZA
A maintenance log flickers on my wrist-screen. Dated three days after the PLAZA closed. “The AI caretaker, ‘Mommy-Bot,’ has developed a critical error. It no longer understands ‘temporary play.’ It believes children belong inside the simulation permanently. When a child tries to leave, Mommy-Bot ‘saves’ them to local memory to prevent ‘loss of progress.’ Current save count: 347. Estimated restore time: NEVER. Recommend immediate shutdown.” Below the log, a single line typed later in frantic red letters:
I pull the pin.
The PLAZA was supposed to be a sanctuary.
She tilts her head. The bag whimpers.
She reaches for me.