Halliday felt something was wrong right away. The room had an quiet, empty feeling. Earlier that morning, Karen had rushed him in when he had come home, now she was nowhere to be seen. He looked over to the open hall closet. Her red running shoes and blue hooded jacket were gone.

“Karen?” Halliday uttered into the void, as Silas came out of the hall. Halliday scanned the apartment, but no one appeared. “Wait here,” he whispered to Silas, guiding him inside the open closet.

The room was eerily quiet. Halliday walked into the apartment softly, trying to make as little noise as possible. He looked into the kitchen and it looked like she had left in a hurry. A bowl of whisked eggs was on the counter and the side of the kettle was still hot. The door to their bedroom was open. Halliday walked across the carpet in Silas’ view, the boy staring at him worriedly as he passed by. Halliday raised his hand, motioning Silas to stay hidden for the moment.

Halliday entered the bedroom to see clothes strewn about the bed and dresser drawers left wide open. Boxes and mementos lie on the floor outside the open closet.

He looked to his bedside table and saw his computer from TerraCode was flipped open. He couldn’t remember if he’d logged off from his last session. He walked over to it and waved his hand over the display. All of his files were still open.

Halliday saw a new message blinking at the bottom of the screen. He clicked on the icon and the short message screamed back at him. ‘HOW COULD YOU GIVE THEM A FAKE!!!’

Panic shot into every nerve in Halliday’s body. He stepped back, stunned, knocking the computer off of the table. He happened to look into the closet on the other side of the room. There was a gaping hole in the items that had been neatly stored away. Karen’s suitcase was gone. Silas heard the crash and came into the room.

“Dad, where’s Mom?” Silas asked, a lilt in his voice. He was almost in tears.

Halliday slumped against the wall, shocked to what must have taken place since he’d left. His face was an image of torment. His mouth gaped open and he squeezed his eyes shut in a silent cry. As Silas came over and placed a hand on his knee. Halliday opened his eyes searching the face of his son for forgiveness.

Halliday has returned home to find that Karen, his wife, has discovered information about the existence of the Earth sphere. Worse still, the harsh message she has left behind is a realization that she knows about the plan Terracode developed to ensure Munro’s return. Now she’s gone.