Page 71 of Tapeworld Induction

“It was before I even knew what the tape was. Before she showed it to me. I was in a bad place, and she took advantage of that. Pretty soon after, she had me pulling heists in the Tapeworld. I know I was manipulated.”

“I’m sorry.” The numbness was receding. It all just felt kind of sad.

“It’s okay.”

His reaction suddenly filled her with anger.

“No, it isn’t okay! You can’t let people run over you like that. She’s a bitch but…” She wanted to blame him, for thinking with his dick. She took a deep breath and reminded herself that he’d been a victim of manipulation. But there was something bothering her. She was trying not to sound angry, not to make any assumptions, but it came out harsher than she intended. “Who’s the woman in the photo, Isaak? Another Astrid? Someone else that manipulated you?”

He looked away. “I can’t…” It sounded like he was holding back tears.

“So you do know the woman in the photo! Why didn’t you tell me when I asked you?” Dylan kept at him. She wanted to stop, to give him a chance to explain. But the way he reacted when they found the photo, and now all of this….

Isaak stood up, his posture angry. “She’s my mother!”

“What?” That was a shock. “What the fuck is a photo of your mother doing inside the Gunkatana, in the Tapeworld?”

He wiped his eyes, pacing in front of the sofa.

“Is there something else you’re not telling me? Despite all the danger and what you agreed with Sacha, you still tape in every day…” She pointed at the tape stuck to his head. “It can’t just be Astrid. If you knew it was dangerous and that what you were doing was wrong, you would have quit earlier. Have you been searching for your mother?”

He looked at her, without anything to say.

“This is why you jack in every day you can, isn’t it? Why didn’t you tell me?” Her throat strained, pleading with him for an explanation.

“I’m not looking for her. Just like she never looked for me! I have no idea how the fuck her photo was in the sword! Look, I know you think I’m just a ‘silly goose’, but I—”

“What?” She couldn’t believe it. “Say that again.”

“What?”

“Say it.” Her eyes narrowed.

He swallowed. His face went red. “I said you think I’m a silly goose.”

Her pulse shot up. She stood to face him, legs wobbling. “How do you know I called you a silly goose? I was speaking to the cat!” Don’t tell me…

“How do you think I know?” He waved his arms, gesturing around them. “The Tapeworld! I’ve been here way longer than you. Miss Kitty has been keeping tabs on you. I made her do that when I summoned her.”

Dylan was stunned into silence for a moment. “I can’t believe you’ve been spying on me.”

“It was warranted, wasn’t it? The tape is secret. And I’ve been stealing data from tech giants without even realising it. I wanted to keep you safe!”

“You didn’t trust me!” Her voice went hoarse.

“I wouldn’t have invited you if I didn’t trust you!” He formed a fist and punched down through the couch they’d been sat on.

“Hey! Stop that!”

He turned away from her and started walking off.

“Wait! If you keep punching things, you’ll only end up hurting yourself—”

“I don’t need anyone.” And he pulled the tape from his head.

“No!” She ran to him, but it was too late. He was already derezzing, what was left of his body blue-tinged and see-through. His remnant. She almost grabbed it, wanting to hug him, but not knowing what that could do to him IRL, she stopped herself.

He was gone.