The Black Card System

Chapter 1 : “The Fall of Noah Bennett”

Noah woke up to the sound of Tara yelling somewhere down the hall. Again. Same routine, She was upset about something or someone and it was always relating to him . He didn’t even roll over to know what the problem was , Months of sleeping alone had made the bed feel like a cage he could barely move in. Tara had stopped performing her matrimonial duty as his after the first year of their marriage recently she even stopped sleeping in the room with him.

“ Noah ! Noah ! Noah! Where is that bastard “ She screamed , walking towards the room .

“You call this clean?” Tara’s voice shrieked. “I told you I needed the car ready! And it’s not here! Do you even try to do anything well , why are you useless?”

Noah pressed his hand against his face and muttered, “I delivered it yesterday evening. I finished all the orders…”

“Orders? What orders? The car isn’t here, Noah!” She stomped toward the hallway. “You’re a piece of shit !” She screamed again

From behind the doorway, he could hear Mrs. Lewis, her mother, joining in. “You should be grateful you’re not out on the street yet. Honestly, Noah, your father-in-law is too kind keeping you around.”

Noah’s jaw tightened. He clutched the tray in his hands a little harder, but he stayed quiet. It was easier that way and afterall there was nothing he could say , he couldn’t afford to be thrown out in the street .

Tara’s voice escalated. “Grateful? He doesn’t even understand gratitude. Look at the mess you’ve made. I can’t be seen with you, Noah! Do you hear me? People will laugh!”

“I—I understand…” he whispered, Tara had said that to him multiple times. .

“Do you?” Tara snapped, narrowing her eyes. “Do you really because it seems as though you are getting too comfortable…”

Noah just nodded, and she scoffed. “Good. Stand there. Be quiet. That’s all you’re good for anyway.”

He followed her orders as usual. A few servants peeked from the kitchen, some were smirking and some shaking their heads , was it out of mockery or pity for him ? He had no idea but Noah ignored them.

“Now, downstairs,” Tara barked when she finally left the room.

He followed her quietly and when they got to the living room , she ordered .

“ On your knees “

Noah’s knees felt cold against the cold floor as he knelt in the main hall. Mr. Lewis hovered over him his arms crossed and there was a stern look plastered on his face.

“You are a burden,” Mr. Lewis said . “A useless, lazy burden. You should thank us for keeping you in this house at all.”

“Yes, sir,” Noah replied quietly, head bowed.

“Don’t you dare move,” Tara added, not even looking up from her phone. “Stay down there until I decide you’re worthy of existing.”

When Noah tried to stand, the family driver slapped the back of his head lightly, just enough to sting. “Are you crazy ? ” the man said, grinning.

Noah ignored the jab but he was fuming with anger , this single act of the driver just showed that he was nothing in this family, He stayed kneeling , he didn’t want to annoy Mr Lewis , he gave Noah one more strike and he will thrown out , that was what he couldn’t afford, he was too poor for it

Later that day, Noah arrived at the office. He carried files, folders, and a thick stack of papers like he always did. His coworkers, waiting for him so they could exploit him like they alway did , Even though he was working in his father in law’s company instead of doing actual job , he was like an errand boy and not a son in law to the Lewis .

“Hey, Noah,” one of them called. “Did you bring the files for me, or are you going to spill tea on them again?”

Noah stopped, holding the stack carefully. “I haven’t spilled anything.”

“Sure,” the guy sneered. He nudged the cup of tea on Noah’s desk, tipping it slightly. “Oops. I guess I did.”

Noah crouched to clean the mess. “You did that on purpose,” he said flatly.

“Maybe. Or maybe you’re just clumsy,” another coworker chimed in, laughing. “Either way, the bathroom’s your next job. You were born to scrub floors anyway.”

He stayed quiet, moving toward the bathroom,The manager arrived , scowling. “Noah! Did you mess up the shipment again?”

“I didn’t…i haven’t handled shipment since i _” Noah started.

“Don’t talk back! I don’t care. Reorganize the storage room tonight. Every single file!” the manager barked. A few employees laughed, leaning against the wall. Noah sighed but didn’t respond. He already knew what he had to do.

After a disastrous day at work , Noah intentionally stayed out till he felt like the whole house was silence . Noah returned home, he was exhausted but he couldn’t complain, when he entered the house , he took a deep breath and he looked around, there was nobody . He sneaked in like he was a teenager with a curfew.

As he moved closer to the room he used to share with Tara , he held loud moans, at first it felt like he was hearing things until he moved closed to their room .

He took a deep breath and he step back , it felt like his body and mind was frozen

He stepped back,His wife was cheating on him with the man she had just tagged as ‘ Just a family …”The urge to confront her was there, but he swallowed it. He didn’t need proof to know the truth. He already felt it, His mind started coming up with excuses for her and he couldn’t confront her because she saw him as useless…his legs were shaky but he maintained his posture , took a deep breath and he looked away

Instead, he went outside. The cool night air didn’t help. He closed his eyes, letting it sink in, trying not to think.

Then out of nowhere , a car crashed in front of him, the sound of the screeching tyres echoed , the car was damaged and smoke was filled in the air

Noah rushed to see a man staggering toward the mansion, clutching a metallic card that glowed faintly in the moonlight. The man collapsed before reaching Noah but he immediately rushed to grab him , steadying his frame.

“Stay with me… please, i will call ambulance right now ,” Noah whispered, he searched his pocket for his phone but remembered his wife had thrown his phone in their fountain during their last argument, he stood helplessly.

The stranger gasped, blood trickling down his temple. “You… you’re… Noah Bennett?”

“Yes,” Noah was surprised that he knew his name , He was a Nobody . “Who are you?”

The man coughed, wheezing. “I’ve… been… looking…” He struggled to lift his hand, showing the card. “This… is yours… if…”

Before he could finish, his body went limp. Noah’s fingers gripped the card. It pulsed. Warmth shot up his arm, there was a great electricity shock in his veins .

“What the…” he muttered. His vision was blur and he staggered backwards still gripping the man .

A voice or maybe a mechanical sound echoed in his head, It was strange and a robot like commanding voice

Noah dropped the man gently. The card floated slightly, glowing brighter. Then, letters flashed:

“MISSION ACTIVATED: THE MEGA 7.”