Morning light slipped through the curtains in thin, golden strands. Athena had fallen asleep at her desk sometime before dawn, her cheek pressed against her folded arms. The laptop in front of her still glowed faintly, decrypted code frozen on the screen like a secret that refused to rest.
A soft knock pulled her back to consciousness.
She lifted her head with a groan, neck stiff, eyes burning.
"Who is it…?" she muttered, half-asleep.
"It's Lucy, ma'am."
Athena rubbed her face. "What's wrong?"
"Breakfast is ready. And your friend is waiting in the living room."
She straightened slightly. "Tell her to come up."
Lucy hesitated. "What about breakfast?"
"Bring it here, please."
"Alright, ma'am."
The footsteps faded. A minute later, the door opened again — this time Madeline stepped in, balancing a tray of food and drinks. She set it down gently, then looked at Athena with a smile that softened immediately.
"Happy birthday."
Athena smiled back, sleepy and small. "Thank you."
Madeline leaned closer, squinting. "Those dark circles are criminal. You worked all night, didn't you?"
Athena sighed dramatically and slumped back in her chair. "I'm exhausted. I need something… very yummy."
Madeline laughed under her breath and reached into her pocket.
"I got you something."
Athena perked up slightly. "A gift?"
"Obviously."
She pulled out a small velvet box, shaking it once for effect.
Athena narrowed her eyes. "You're enjoying this too much."
Madeline grinned and opened the box.
Inside lay a delicate silver necklace, the pendant catching the morning light.
Athena stared. "It's beautiful."
"I figured," Madeline said softly. "You already have your mom's bracelet. I thought you might need something to match."
Athena tilted her head. "That's not the real reason."
Madeline laughed. "Fine. I saw it and thought of you. And since you never wear necklaces, I bought it."
She lifted the pendant — an eagle, wings spread wide.
"An eagle?" Athena asked.
"So you'll always remember to fly above everything trying to pull you down."
Athena didn't reply. She simply turned around so Madeline could clasp it around her neck.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Then Madeline broke the silence. "So… did you crack the message?"
Athena nodded. "Yeah. It nearly cracked me too."
"No surprise there," Madeline said. "You look like you fought your laptop and lost."
"I won," Athena replied quietly. "Barely."
She turned back to the desk. "I finished decoding it before I passed out."
Madeline leaned forward. "Can we read it?"
Athena's fingers hovered over the keyboard. "You sure?"
Madeline smiled gently. "I'm here."
Athena exhaled. "Okay."
The laptop fan hummed softly as files opened and layers peeled away. Thirteen minutes passed in silence, broken only by clicking keys. Then Athena stopped.
Her hands trembled.
"Should I open it?" she asked.
Madeline nodded. "Go on."
Athena swallowed and clicked.
She read slowly, her voice unsteady.
"My beautiful daughter Athena…
I don't know how much pain I've caused you — or if you're even alive to read this…"
Her voice faltered, but she forced herself to continue.
"You were just like me… bright, curious. I still remember you at six years old, finding my computer, asking what hacking meant…"
Athena's breath hitched.
"I thought I could guide you the way I was once guided. But now… this is the end of everything…"
Tears blurred her vision.
"If only I had known, I would never have chosen this path… I'm writing this as a reminder of my greatest mistake… and its consequences…"
Her voice broke completely.
"I hope you can forgive me… Because soon… I'll be joining you."
The room went silent.
Madeline stared at the screen, confused and alarmed. "I don't… I don't understand."
Athena laughed — a broken, shaky sound. "She thinks I'm dead."
Madeline froze. "What?"
"She thinks I died," Athena whispered. "And she's planning to kill herself."
Madeline grabbed her arm. "Why would she think that?"
"I don't know," Athena said, tears spilling freely now. "But I don't have time to figure it out. If I don't reach her now—"
She shook her head.
"This could be the last message I ever get from her."
"When will you reply?" Madeline asked softly.
Athena wiped her face and let out a breathless laugh. "Now. Immediately. I'm not wasting a second."
"Good," Madeline said. "Be fast. Then we go shopping, remember?"
Athena nodded, already pulling her phone closer. "Yeah. No more distractions."
Madeline watched her quietly as Athena's fingers moved — fast, precise, desperate.
Morning light flooded the room, wrapping them both in gold, while somewhere between fear and hope, a message was sent that could change everything.