15 Hours Before Tragedy
Tuesday, April 21 – 6:00 a.m.
Rrring... rrring...
The phone vibrated violently, shaking out of my slumber. I didn't even rember what I was dreaming about last night. People say if you forget your dream, it ans you slept well. Maybe that's true , because I felt oddly energized, ready to face another day as a proud, underappreciated mber of the workforce.
Or as I like to call it: a professional slave.
My morning ritual followed the sacred order, brush, wash, and, of course, dump. They say morning poop is a sign of healthy guts. That's what I read on the internet. And if it's on the internet, it must be true, right?
By 9:00 a.m. sharp, I was already at the office, feeling a bit smug about arriving on ti for the 200th consecutive day without applause or promotion. But that mont of pride was instantly shattered.
"Alan," my boss called out with his loud voice, "you'll need to cover for Jeff today. Ergency leave."
No explanation. No warning, No backup. Just the corporate equivalent of, 'Congratulations, you've just been promoted to two employees for the price of one!'
Then my phone buzzed. A ssage from Jeff himself.
> Sorry, I take EL today. I accidentally ran over my dog while reversing the car.
I blinked. Slowly.
Run over... your dog?
Look, I'm not saying he's lying, but if you don't have kids, dogs are the go-to excuse for sudden disappearances. If Jeff ever gets a second dog, I'll probably be working weekends too.
So that day turned into complete chaos.
Phone calls ringing nonstop, reports piling up with no end, and sohow, I was doing everything...twice.
Still, I stayed calm. This wasn't my first ti.
I'm the go-to guy when soone takes MC or EL. Like clockwork, once a month minimum. Twice if i was lucky.
But today felt different. Busier. Heavier.
Paperwork stacked high on my desk, and as usual, people passed by without so much as a glance. No offers to help. No shared burden.
Just the quiet hum of productivity around , while I drown in it.
But honestly?
I didn't mind.
I've gotten used to being invisible.
After what felt like an eternity, I finally wrapped up the last of my tasks.
The watch showed 9:30 p.m.
An hour and a half of unpaid overti, again.
I sighed, thinking about Bob. Hopefully, he had the sense to order food. That guy relied on for dinner like a child depends on their parent.
Lunch? He just scavenged whatever scraps were left in the fridge, calling it a "survival ga."
As I stepped out of the office building, my phone buzzed.
Bob.
I assud it was about food.
"Hello, sorry man, I just finished work. Today was chaotic. I'm on my way to the shop to—"
"Alan, you need to co over. Now. It's happening. Forget the dinner. Now!"
Tupp.
That was it.
No greeting. No explanation. Just... that.
There was urgency in his voice,real panic,but knowing Bob, it was probably sothing dumb.
Like an ani figure finally arriving or so waifu getting a live-action remake.
So, I just went ho.
10 minutes before the tragedy
What awaited at ho was the last thing I would've ever expected.
Right in the middle of Bob's room was a swirling, glowing whirlpool of light. It humd softly, casting strange shadows on the walls.
"What the hell is that?"
"A portal," Bob said, grinning like a mad scientist.
"I've been working on this for the past month. This is the secret project I told you about."
"Where does it lead?"
"To another world. To a new reality, maybe?"
"Maybe? How can you be so sure this'll even work if you're not sure where it goes?"
"I don't know. No one left a review on the item, so I figured they succeeded and never ca back to write one."
He showed sothing that looked like a weird glass bottle with runes on it.
"You bought this thing online?!" I was utterly flabbergasted.
"Of course. When's the last ti you saw step out of this house?"
Ahhh... my head hurt. I couldn't take this anymore. I was exhausted.
"I'm not interested. If you want to jump into a death tunnel, go ahead. I'll just tell your dad you ran away or sothing."
I turned to the door and grabbed the knob.
"What kind of response is that, dude? This is it, Alan. A once-in-a-lifeti chance, for magic, adventure... and harem!"
"Yeah, good luck with that."
Just as I started to twist the doorknob, I felt a sudden force pulling from behind.
Hard.
My fingers gripped the knob tighter, but the pull only got stronger. My feet lifted off the ground.
Bob was already mid-air, being sucked into the glowing portal.
"See you on the other side, Alaaaannnnn...!"
He vanished in a flash of light.
No. This shouldn't be happening. I have work tomorrow. A dental appointnt in the evening!
This... this is a tragedy!
The doorknob tore free from my hand, and then I was pulled in too.
Into the unknown.
And just like that, everything went black.
Ahhh... goodbye my normal daily life...
User Comments
0 comments from readers