Angel City - Playxstudios Corporation

  The rhythmic clack of mechanical keyboard keys filled the nearly empty office. Isaac Anderson hunched over his desk, blue monitor glow reflecting in his tired eyes as he typed the final lines of his report.

  Beside him, Joe Campbell lounged in a swivel chair with his feet up on the desk, telling one of his stories with casual hand gestures.

  “…So I was leaving Angel City, heading toward Atlanta, and man… you’re not gonna believe what happened.”

  Joe leaned forward with a small smile.

  “I was driving along when I spotted this woman standing on the side of the road next to a broken-down car. She was beautiful, Isaac — the kind you notice right away. She looked a little lost, phone in hand.”

  Isaac paused his typing for a second and glanced over.

  “And then?”

  “Being the nice guy I am, I pulled over and offered to help. We talked for a bit, one thing led to another… and I got her number,” Joe said with a satisfied grin. “She was easy to talk to. I think we clicked.”

  Isaac smiled lightly and went back to his screen. “Nice one.”

  “And that’s not even the best part,” Joe continued, his tone growing more excited. “I want it to be a surprise, but we’re planning a dinner soon and you’re definitely invited.”

  Isaac raised an eyebrow. “Already planning dinners? Why do you need me there?”

  “Relax, man. I’m setting it up. You’ll like it, trust me.”

  Joe’s phone chimed. He checked the time and stood up quickly.

  “Damn, it’s getting late. I need to pick up Pipi from Mom’s.” He stretched and grabbed his jacket. “You finishing that report?”

  “Just about done,” Isaac replied, scanning the document one last time. “Emily has been on my case since yesterday.”

  They bumped fists.

  “Alright. Don’t stay too late, bro. Next week is your big day. You need to be sharp.”

  “Thanks, brother. Give your mom a kiss for me.”

  Joe’s footsteps faded down the corridor as he left, leaving Isaac alone in the quiet office.

  (Some time later)

  Some time later the office was completely silent except for the sound of Isaac’s fingers on the keys. He pressed the final key, leaned back, and rubbed his temples.

  “Okay… that should do it,” he muttered. “Now just send it to Emily.”

  CRASH!

  The loud sound of shattering glass tore through the silence.

  Isaac jumped in his chair, heart racing. He turned sharply toward the dark doorway.

  “Hello? Is someone there?”

  Silence.

  Then a faint, low laughter drifted from the hallway — distant yet strangely close.

  This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

  Isaac stood up slowly and walked to the door, peering into the shadows. The hallway was empty. The laughter had stopped.

  He checked his watch.

  “Shit… it’s already 9:49?” He let out a long yawn. “Time to go home. My head is messing with me.”

  He shut down the monitors, grabbed his coat, and locked the office door. The hallway was dimly lit by emergency lights. He walked quickly toward the elevators, pressed the button, and leaned against the wall.

  Staring at his reflection in the polished metal doors, he straightened his tie and forced a small smile.

  “A big day is waiting for you, champ,” he whispered. “Finally going to get the recognition you deserve.”

  Then the world broke.

  A sharp, searing pain exploded through his skull like a nail driven straight into his brain.

  “Argh!”

  Isaac collapsed to the floor, clutching his head. Blood poured from his nose, then his eyes. The cold tiles pressed against his cheek as everything went dark.

  << …Kula… reo… Mundus… >>

  The ancient voice echoed through his bones.

  He was no longer in the office.

  The air smelled of ash and iron. His hands pressed against a deep wound in his stomach, blood flowing freely.

  “Isaac…”

  A woman was crying over him, her hands gently holding his face. Her features were blurred by tears, but he could feel her warm drops falling on his skin.

  Beyond her, a massive shadowy figure approached with heavy, thunderous steps. The man’s face was hidden in darkness, gripping a jagged spear that pulsed with dark energy.

  The figure raised the spear.

  Isaac tried to scream.

  The spear came down.

  Angel City - Isaac’s Apartment

  BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!

  Isaac bolted upright in bed, gasping, body covered in cold sweat. His hands flew to his chest, searching for a wound that wasn’t there.

  The alarm clock kept ringing on the nightstand.

  He looked around the familiar room — posters on the walls, messy desk, morning light filtering through the blinds.

  “Just a dream…” he whispered, heart still pounding. “Just a damn dream.”

  He sat on the edge of the bed, burying his face in his hands.

  That dream again… Ever since that day, I can’t shake it. I’ve never felt pain like that before.

  Isaac dragged himself to the bathroom, splashed cold water on his face, and stared at his reflection in the mirror.

  I feel like something inside me changed that day too. Like there’s this huge void now.

  He shook his head.

  Focus. Today is the big day.

  After dressing and adjusting his tie, he went to the kitchen and started making breakfast — simple scrambled eggs. The smell helped calm his nerves.

  Today I have the meeting that could change everything. A tycoon came all the way here just to see my project — the one that could revolutionize digital gaming.

  He cracked another egg into the pan.

  Dexter Hargrove. The man had enormous wealth and powerful connections, including Mayor Dorian, who owed him many favors.

  Isaac’s expression darkened as he stirred the eggs.

  Gambling, alcohol, women, drugs… he was into all of it. Local newspapers had accused him of rape, theft, extortion — you name it. Yet he was never charged. There was always a convenient “lack of evidence.”

  He reached for the cat food and filled a small bowl.

  True or not, none of that matters right now. One wrong move and my project is dead.

  “Mia… come eat, girl.”

  A small fluffy cat walked in and rubbed against his leg. Isaac smiled, feeling some tension leave his shoulders. He sat down with his coffee while Mia began eating.

  This is Mia. I found her injured years ago. I took care of her… and now she’s the one taking care of me.

  His phone vibrated loudly on the table. It was Joe.

  Isaac glanced at the clock and jumped up.

  “Shit — I’m late!”

  He finished his coffee in one gulp, shoved a piece of toast in his mouth, and grabbed his bag.

  “Mia, take care of the house! I’ll be back later, princess!”

  He rushed out the door. As he turned to lock it, a strange thought crossed his mind.

  This part of my life… certain choices always bring consequences. Good or bad.

  “…Isaac? Hello!”

  He froze.

  There, standing in the hallway with a hesitant but emotional smile, was Amanda Pearce.

  The toast fell from his mouth onto the floor.

  “Amanda?”

  Two years together. I proposed to her. She seemed a bit distant that day, but I ignored the signs. She cried… but in the end she turned me down and then disappeared completely. If it wasn’t for Joe, I don’t know what would’ve happened to me.

  She was back.

  “I was worried you might not live here anymore,” she said softly.

  “What are you doing here?” Isaac asked, his voice cold.

  “I’m moving back in. I’ll be your neighbor again. I was away for a while.”

  The air between them felt heavy.

  “I see,” he said, glancing at his watch. “Well… I have to go. Welcome back, Amanda.”

  He picked up the fallen toast and threw it in the trash chute.

  “Good to see you,” he lied.

  “Good to see you too, Isaac. Have a good day at work,” she replied with a sad smile.

  Isaac turned and walked quickly to the elevator, pressing the button repeatedly. When the doors opened, he stepped inside and turned around.

  Amanda was still standing there, watching him.

  The doors slid shut.