Chapter 4Dreams Beyond the Stars

I was drunk and disoriented, stumbling alone along the winding mountain road. The wind whipped at my face, making my head throb.

The System chose that moment to come back online, screaming in my ear.

Ahhh! Host, you can’t just burn your bridges with the Shaw family like this! What are you going to do when your identity is exposed?

“What’s the worst that can happen? I die? Can it possibly be worse than my last life?”

In my last life, my body rotted in a ditch for seven days. My soul lingered, waiting, but not a single person came looking for me. None of them cared. Not even Logan.

Host, why don’t you try to get on Caleb’s good side? He might be able to save you.

“Get on his good side?” I stomped hard into a puddle, sending a shower of muddy water into the air. “Not a chance in hell.”

The System let out a mournful wail. I’ve had so many hosts, but I’ve never seen one with such a disregard for their own life. This is a second chance, Host!

I reached for my ear to pull out the implant again, only to realize I’d already left it at the dinner table.

The System, noticing my surprise, gave a smug little chuckle. I knew you’d try that again, so I upgraded. I now transmit sound directly via brainwaves.

I sighed in defeat, finally giving in to its incessant nagging. “Fine. I’ll go find Caleb. I need some insurance to stay alive.”

It was a strange way to put it, but the System didn’t question it, happily going silent.