Nathan's footsteps were sluggish as he walked back through the creaky front door of that small house. The familiar scent of Madam Rose's perfume filled the air, and he let out another sigh, knowing the day hadn't gotten any better for him. It was day in and day out: work, chores, more work, the same routine, with a grim reminder that he didn't belong. He threw his bag onto the couch and went into the kitchen, where Madam Rose was already seated, sipping her tea."You are late," she said, her voice cold as steel, sharp and commanding. "What held you back? You are supposed to be back now, but I can see the way you have been wasting your time again."Nathan looked down, not raising his head. "Sorry, Madam Rose," he murmured, staring at the floor.Madam Rose did not even look at him and only waved her hand dismissively. "You better make dinner tonight. You know how much I hate eating late. Go on, get to work.""Yes, ma'am," Nathan said in a barely audible voice. He walked to the fridge, o

Nathan sat in the cold, dark cell, the damp walls closing in on him as he wrapped his arms around his knees. His mind had been sucked into a black vortex, replaying every instant in his life that had brought him to this very point: accusations, ridicule, humiliation the end product of years of being treated less than human. He had no idea how much time had passed since he was thrown in here, but one thing he knew for sure was that no one would come for him. His wife wouldn't, nor would her family. Why would they? He was just the expendable son in law, the stray they had picked up off the street and allowed to linger in their lives.His body, worn and weary, finally gave in to exhaustion. His head leaned back against the cold wall, and his eyes closed. Sleep came reluctantly, dragging him down into its depths. For a time, it was a fitful haze, then the dream took shape, vivid and unsettling.The insignia from the server room reappeared, glowing faintly in the darkness. Nathan found

Nathan stood transfixed, staring out the window as the mob outside the house seemed to emanate menace, their intentions clear, as they made their way toward the front door. Every fiber of his being was screaming at him to run, but his legs refused to move.Dr. Hayes was calm, though. She tugged on his arm and jerked him from the window. "Nathan, we don't have time for fear. Follow me!""What are we going to do?" Nathan stuttered, his mind racing. "They'll kill us both!Her eyes, older and sharper, met his and held steady. "Listen to me. If they've come, it means they've bypassed or otherwise disabled your father's failsafe. They no longer have a need for you alive. You are in danger, Nathan."The chill ran down his spine, but he made himself focus. "What about you? Why are you so calm?She gave him a sad smile. “Because I’ve made my peace with what’s coming. You, on the other hand, still have a chance.”Dr. Hayes led him deeper into the house, her steps quick but measured. She stopped

Sophia sat in the car, staring blankly through the windshield. Her hands were tightly clasped in her lap and quivered. The news that Nathan had survived the gunshot to his head had come like a bolt of lightning. She had seen him bleed, had seen him go down. The chances for his survival should have been nonexistent, yet here he was, alive.The doctors had said it was a miracle-a grazing of a bullet past vital areas, which had left him with wounds severe but not fatal. Sophia did not believe in miracles. There had to be something else, but what?Her mother sat beside her, with an unforgiving glare.. The weight of her disappointment weighed upon Sophia like an enormous boulder. There was silence between them for one long, heavy moment but for the quiet ticking of the car clock."You failed," she said, cold and forthright; her voice came through like a blade, slicing the stillness into bits. "I told you to handle it, and even that was too much for you."The words cut into Sophia as if her

Beep!System notification: Analyzing chemical substances. Chemical substances are harmful but can only take severe effects after three days.Chemical content:Arsenic: a poisonous substance mixed in the liquid that could cause skin discoloration, neurological damage, and can lead to a slow death.Benzene: a volatile organic compound mixed in the liquid that could cause bone marrow failure and could also lead to a slow death.A voice sounded in Nathan's head that resembled a mechanical voice, giving him an analysis of the syringe he was holding that contained the fluid with its deadly content."Hmmm, so this is your plan, right? Slow death. You want me to have a slow death?" Nathan smirked while referring the question to Sophia.He then punched the syringe needle into Sophia's neck."Ahhhhh," she made a low rumbling sound as she started feeling dizzy.Bang! Bang!The door banged hard, and a voice sounded just after the bang. "It's the nurse. I'm here to check on the patient. What's hap