They Should Have Died

Rain poured heavily against the glass walls of the skyscrapers in the middle of the city. The night sky looked dark, almost like it was mocking Logan Hayes’ life that had just fallen apart in a single night.

Logan stood stiffly in front of his desk while gripping the black folder that had somehow felt much heavier than it should’ve for the past five minutes.

“Starting today, the company is terminating your employment contract.”

The sentence still echoed clearly inside his head.

Across the desk, the man in expensive glasses and a tailored suit didn’t even look guilty while saying all of it.

“Sir, I wasn’t the one who leaked that data.” Logan’s jaw tightened. “I’ve worked here for five years.”

“The board’s decision is final.”

“So I’m being turned into the board’s scapegoat?”

The man let out a short sigh, too lazy to look at him any longer.

“You’re too stubborn, Logan. The corporate world isn’t suited for people like you.”

Logan let out a small laugh. Not because it was funny. But because he was disgusted.

Over the past week, he’d already realized something strange was happening in the office. Financial files disappearing. Transaction records changing. And the names of several company executives appearing in massive illegal fund transfers.

He got too curious.

And unfortunately… that curiosity destroyed his life.

“Someone else told you to cover this up, didn’t they?” Logan stared sharply at the man in front of him. “If it’s not the board… then it’s the government?”

“Security!”

He couldn’t answer. Two security guards immediately entered the room.

And at that exact moment, Logan realized something.

He wasn’t being fired. He was being silenced.

*** 

After packing up his belongings, Logan walked straight out of the company building with a small cardboard box in his hands. The rain was still pouring heavily, instantly soaking his black suit.

Several coworkers who used to laugh with him now only stared from behind the lobby windows. No one dared to approach him or even say goodbye.

Logan clenched his jaw.

“Bastards.”

Not long after, his phone suddenly vibrated.

A bank bill notification came in.

And only a few seconds later, another call came from his apartment landlord.

“If you still haven’t paid by the end of this week, get out of my apartment!”

The call immediately ended before Logan could even speak.

He closed his eyes for a moment.

Tired.

Everything had felt way too heavy lately.

Ever since his father died two years ago from an illness they couldn’t afford to treat. Then his mother moved out of town with her new family. And now… the last job he fought so hard to keep was gone too.

Funny enough, Logan’s life always fell apart whenever he tried to do the right thing.

The rain grew heavier as his steps stopped on the massive bridge dividing the city.

The black river below flowed calmly.

River of the Dead.

That’s what people called it because too many bodies had been found there over the years.

Logan stared at the dark water for a long time with an empty gaze and an even emptier mind.

For the first time in his life… he truly didn’t know where else to go.

No family. No money. No future.

And maybe… no reason left to stay alive.

Logan smiled faintly at the thought before finally setting his belongings down, then climbing over the bridge railing.

The night wind hit his face. Cold in the middle of the silence.

Then without hesitation… he threw himself into the darkness of the river.

“My life is over,” Logan thought to himself.