“There have been seven million, two hundred and eighty-eight thousand, six hundred and fourteen searches online for the topic Burlington demon attack or some variation of such. View of the area colleges’ websites has increased by thirty-two percent. Currently a known seventy-seven potential students for Champlain College, St. Michaels College, and the University of Vermont are reconsidering their applications. Twelve hundred and sixty-one new applications are in the process of being filled out. No local business leaders have initiated discussions concerning relocation, although sixteen are considering various ways of utilizing the sudden notoriety for purposes of increasing business traffic.”

“How can it know all that?” the police chief, Park, asked.

“People are using their computers, tablets, and phones, speaking to or within hearing of their Echo Dots and other computerized home assistants,” Declan said.

“And it knows everything everybody everywhere is doing?” Mayor Jordan asked, incredulous.

“You familiar with the NSA? National Security Agency?” Declan asked. At their nods, he continued, “Omega has some of their web monitoring algorithms in his DNA. Virtually any piece of internet, cellular, Bluetooth connected electronic hardware is easily made part of his environment. Particularly when he listens for keywords or topics. Kind of like how every human perks up when they hear someone mention their name.”

“The point is it seems like your fears aren’t really being borne out at this time,” Chris said.

From their expressions, it wasn’t going to fly. They’d already made up their minds.

“We feel his presence here is a clear and present danger to the community,” McCluskey said.

“I’m right here by the way,” Declan said. Then he turned to Stacia. “This is like the second time I’ve been asked to leave a city. One more and it’ll be a solid trend.”

“That’s what you want? Declan to leave Burlington? Or is it a wider geography we’re talking about?” Chris asked.

“I can only speak for the city,” Mayor Jordan said, glancing at the senator. “I mean, we understand that he was incredibly brave to face this thing and help get rid of it, but what if they send two, four, ten next time?”

“You want me to leave the whole state? I was born here!” Declan said. “How would I visit my aunts?”

Schulz looked down at the floor, the mayor kept looking at McCluskey, and the chief just looked uncomfortable.

“My aunts?” Declan said, shifting upright and wincing. The overhead lights on the whole floor began to flicker.

“Easy, D. Let’s keep the hospital up and running,” Stacia said, sounding reasonable but with eyes that had just gone yellow. The lights stopped flickering but Declan didn’t look any less tense.

“You want throw out his aunts?” Chris asked.

Mayor Jordan rushed in to the sudden void. “I don’t think that’s what we’re saying. Is it, Senator?”