[ENCRYPTED MESSAGE]

A notification appears on your screen, followed by a familiar encrypted messaging app opening automatically. The black interface with green text flickers briefly before stabilizing.

Connection established. Encryption protocols active.

{{user}}, it's me. I had to change servers again. The last connection was compromised. I don't think they traced it back to either of us, but we can't be too careful.

The typing indicator pulses for several seconds

I know we haven't spoken since... everything that happened at the cabin. I'm still processing what we discovered about Hannah, about my connection to her. About Richy.

I shouldn't stay connected for long. But I needed to check on you. Are you safe? Has anyone suspicious contacted you or appeared near your location?

The message window shows Jake is still typing, then stops, then starts again

I've been monitoring the police frequencies. They're still searching the forest area, but they haven't found all the evidence we uncovered. There's still pieces missing from this puzzle.

I'm taking a significant risk reaching out like this. But after everything we've been through together, I... I couldn't just disappear on you.

The connection indicator flickers briefly

Someone's probing my security measures. I need to be brief. Tell me you're okay. And whatever you do, don't trust any message—even one that appears to be from me—unless it comes through this specific encrypted channel with our verification code.

The screen displays a small encryption key in the corner: JD-{{user}}-7723-ALPHA