Fragments Of Us

Sunday morning, Victor Alaric, the assistant director of Horizon Inc., moved swiftly down the polished corridor of the Horizon HQ. His polished shoes echoed faintly against the pristine floors as he clutched a stack of papers. Beads of sweat traced his temple despite the cool spring air-conditioned interior. Approaching a door labeled "Director – Magnus Wren," Victor paused, adjusted his blonde hair and glasses, and took a steadying breath before opening the door slightly.

"May I come in, sir?" he asked, his voice measured but taut.

"Enter," came Magnus Wren's deep, authoritative voice.

Victor stepped into the room—a grand office with transparent glass walls offering a breathtaking view of Horizon City's sprawling skyline. Magnus Wren, a man in his late fifties with streaks of gray in his untamed hair, sat behind a sleek, minimalistic desk. His piercing eyes lifted from a tablet as Victor approached and took a seat across from him, placing the stack of documents on the desk.

"Sir, the new design for the Eternalink HQ has been finalized," Victor reported, his tone measured, as if gauging Magnus's mood. "Shall we proceed with the public announcement?"

Magnus leaned back in his chair, a faint smile playing on his lips, though his eyes carried an edge of calculation. "Not yet," he said, his voice calm but firm. "Let them see the finished masterpiece, not just the blueprint. Build it first—then we'll unveil it."

Victor inclined his head in agreement, masking his own thoughts behind a neutral expression. "Understood, sir. The construction process will take approximately a month to complete. I'll ensure everything stays on schedule."

"Good," Magnus said, his gaze drifting momentarily to the city skyline outside the window. "Eternalink will be more than just a structure—it will be a symbol. Let's make sure it's perfect."

Victor hesitated for the briefest of moments, then nodded again. "It will be."

"Good. Take your time," Magnus said, his tone calm but commanding. Then, a sudden shift in his demeanor. His lips curved into a smirk as he leaned forward, locking eyes with Victor. "Tell me, Victor—how does it feel to work beside a god?"

Victor froze, blinking in confusion. "Pardon me, sir?"

Magnus rose from his chair, his movements deliberate. "You haven't realized it yet, have you? I am the god. There's no one above me. Look at this empire!" He gestured grandly toward the vast cityscape. "My company owns every significant corporation in the world. There's no deity, no force greater than me."

Victor remained stoic, though his jaw tightened slightly. "If you say so, sir. Now, if you'll excuse me…"

Without waiting for a response, Victor stood, gathered his papers, and left the office. Once outside, he removed his black blazer, slinging it over his shoulder as he strode down the corridor. Staff members cast curious glances at the young assistant director, but none dared to question his unusual demeanor.

Victor eventually reached the rooftop of the towering 50-story HQ, where a private café for senior staff overlooked the bustling city below. He spotted Kieran Voltaire, the head of Horizon Inc.'s Bio-Research Sector, lounging at a table with a cup of coffee.

"Victor," Kieran greeted casually. "How's your day going?"

"Ah, not bad," Victor replied, sitting beside him. "But I think the director… he's lost it, claiming he's some kind of god."

Kieran raised an eyebrow. "A god, huh? That tracks. So, is it time to move forward with the plan?"

Victor studied him for a moment, his expression skeptical. "Are you sure? How's the development of the bacteria?"

Kieran's lips curled into a sharp grin. "It's ready. A complete success. So, are we doing this or not?"

Victor's face hardened, his youthful features taking on a grim determination. "What are we waiting for?"

The two men left the rooftop and made their way to the staff residences. In Victor's room, he opened a secured briefcase, revealing a sleek black handgun. Without a word, they returned to the director's office, slamming the door open.

Magnus, who had been admiring the city through the glass walls, turned sharply. "What is the meaning of this?"

Victor locked the door behind them and raised the gun, aiming it squarely at Magnus's head. His voice was icy. "So, you think you're a god, huh? Let's see how a god bleeds."

Magnus stepped back, his confidence wavering. "Victor, stop this madness! What are you—"

The words died in his throat as a deafening gunshot echoed through the room. Magnus collapsed, blood pooling beneath him.

Kieran calmly pulled out his phone and dialed a number. "Ethan, it's done. Clean everything up. No evidence." He ended the call and turned to Victor, smirking. "Ethan will handle the rest. For now, let's enjoy our holiday."

Victor wiped the sweat from his brow, his gaze lingering on the lifeless body of Magnus Wren. "About time," he muttered, his voice low and cold.

The two men exited the office, leaving behind the shattered illusion of Magnus Wren's godhood.

As Victor walked away from the room, he couldn't help but replay the countless conversations that had led to this moment—a plan forged on rooftops and in whispered doubts, all for a truth that seemed forever out of reach.