In a dystopian future ruled by megacorporations, Ned Foss, a skilled hacker and black marketer, is caught between personal turmoil and the deadly machinations of Faramind Corp. When forced to work on a dangerous project, he unwittingly becomes a pawn in a high-stakes game of manipulation, betrayal, and psychological torture. As the Nova Core technology threatens to unravel reality itself, Ned must confront his darkest fears and relationships, all while navigating a brutal system that pushes the boundaries of human existence. This is a chapter from my first completed novel, which I'm planning to publish. It still needs some rewrites, particularly in the dialogue and to adjust certain world-building details that evolved throughout the writing process. I'm sharing this chapter because it can stand alone as a story, and also as a way to pinpoint any mistakes or redundancies I may have missed. Thank you for reading, and I'm eager to receive any feedback.