FAIK

Chapter 7The Now and Future of AI-Driven Deception

Whispers from the Static

Something about the caller’s name was just…wrong. At first, she couldn’t place it. But then she realized what was different. Kathryn would normally just ignore any call she didn’t recognize. But the moment she realized what was different, what was…wrong about it, a chill formed.

The screen read “Unknown Caller,” but was followed by something unusual. Something unsettling. It was followed by that creepy little emoji of a circular yellow face holding up one finger. As if to say, “Shhhh, this is our little secret.”

Unknown Caller

Cold sweat prickling her skin, she reached for her phone. The word unknown and that damn emoji seemed to mock her. A harbinger. With a trembling finger, she answered, “Hello?”

A scream tore through the speaker. “Mom!!! They’ve got me!” Samantha’s voice, raw with terror, echoed in Kathryn’s mind, even as a man’s voice, cold and calculating, replaced it.

“Listen to me very carefully. Don’t interrupt. Do you understand?”

Kathryn’s throat constricted more. Each word an effort of will, “Yes, I understand. Please, don’t hurt her.”

The man’s laugh was a mirthless, cruel rasp. “Your daughter, Samantha, is with us. Her life is in your hands. Here’s what you’re going to do. A wire transfer of $100,000 in untraceable cryptocurrency. Complete silence. You contact the cops, she dies. You ...