Darkness
The lights brightened up slowly...
Mike rushed to the scene to get a clearer view and there he saw Ela whose neck was broken, bleeding all through... He couldn't stand the view so he went back inside the car to catch his breath
And after a few minutes, he finally remembered Sandra as he rushed into the hotel. Being stopped by a receptionist
Hotel Receptionist
How may we help you sir?
Michael
I'm uh.. I'm here to see a friend
Hotel Receptionist
Well you don't have a pass unfortunately which I can't let you in
Michael
Huh? I said I'm f*cking here to see a friend! She stays in room 342!
Michael
What type of shit is this?!
Hotel Receptionist
Sir, that doesn't call for a scene. If it's urgent, then give her a phonecall and if she arrives here, I can let you both go in
Hotel Receptionist
It's our protocol and I can't violate it once or ever
Mike bends his head in confusion...
Michael
Look sir, it's really urgent... Just let me this once.
The receptionist showed apathy
Michael
There's a missing person in your hotel. I was contacted by a friend of mine and that's why I'm in a hurry
Hotel Receptionist
"Missing Person"
Michael
Just let me go up there and confirm.
Hotel Receptionist
Well... I think... I think you must be going nuts.
Hotel Receptionist
Security!!
A security guard arrived shortly
Hotel Receptionist
Bundle this man out of here.
Mike was bundled out of the hotel although he struggled. Meanwhile the cops came to the scene of the body. It was trauma that night as the atmosphere became damp.
Michael, Alex and Damian were gathered in Alex's house... The two Vane Siblings didn't live with their parents due to studying in the campus.
Damian
Is it me or am I the only one vibing to this cool groove of a weather?
The whole place was silent
Alex Vane
Ela's gone miss...
Michael
Last night on my way to Sydney's, I had to check up on Ela and Sandra and so I gave her a call... She answered, yes she did. I spoke for a while before she told me Sandra's gone missing. It's just hard to take in
Alex Vane
Ela didn't return home last night. I told her not to stay out late, I consciously laid my emphasis on that. But she never returned even till now. Do you guys happen to know her whereabouts?
Damian
Are you guys pulling my legs right now?
The whole place was quiet once more
Damian
It's not a joke, is it?
The atmosphere was quiet again
Michael
We'd never play a joke now
Alex Vane
But... but... wait, Ela was with Sandra last night and uh-Mike? When you contacted them last night, you spoke to Ela, right?
Damian
Then certainly that means Ela is definitely wherever Sandra is...
Alex Vane
Maybe... Just maybe
Michael looks in disbelief already knowing the situation of Ela
Noon at Horizon Global Industries ~ HGI. On the top floor, a board meeting was being held.
Johnathan Mercer (CEO)
Horizon Global is under more scrutiny than ever. Each and every department will speak and decisions today will be finalized.
Claudia Reeves (CFO)
We've hit a six percent revenue drop in the past weeks in the last quarter. Our overseas branches are bleeding money especially that of Singapore and Berlin
Peter Lockhart
Closing Berlin would cut losses by 12%. The staff won't like it but it's the most cleanest option to save face
Claudia Reeves (CFO)
Course they wouldn't. We ran out of vacancies months ago
Amanda Holt
If you close Berlin, expect lawsuits. Labour laws there are far stricter than here
Frank Donnelly
Lawsuits don't go viral. Success does. We need a bold campaign to prove we're still leaders in tech innovation!
Victor Chang (R&D)
A campaign is pointless unless we actually innovate. Our next-gen AI project could launch in nine months if funding isn't cut and there's every possibility it will
Owen Blackwell
Nine months?! The market will pass us by. Sell the patent rights and recoup now!
Rebecca Flynn
Selling patents would be like selling our future. The public...
Rebecca rests on her chair... unconcerned
Rebecca Flynn
Would see us as desperate...
Mason leans on his chair and folds his hand as he wobbles the chair with his eyes closed as he released a deep breath out...
Harold Mason
Sometimes desperation is better than collapse... I've seen companies rot from chasing big dreams
Lucas Byrne
And I've seen companies die from playing it too safe. We need bold risks
Naomi Cross (HR. Director)
While you debate risks, morale is slipping. People are whispering about mass layoffs
Frank Donnelly
That'd be the work of the laid-off workers if you ask me
Daniel Briggs (Head Of Security)
They should be whispering about our cybersecurity. We've had three intrusion attempts in a week!
Charles Easton (CSO)
Security won't matter if we're bankrupt. This quarter decides whether we're predators or prey... Let's make wise decisions
Isabella Maren (Vice-chairperson)
Then let's quit posturing and decide.
Isabella Maren (Vice-chairperson)
Do we fight for the AI launch or sell it off before the sharks bite?
Johnathan Mercer (CEO)
Enough. I’ve listened to all of you circle the same storm. Claudia, your numbers tell me we’re bleeding, but Peter, you don’t stop the bleeding by cutting off a limb without a plan. Amanda’s right, lawsuits will eat us alive. Frank, I’m not selling smoke just to make the skyline look pretty.
Johnathan Mercer (CEO)
And Victor, your AI is the only thing in this building that has a chance to put us ten years ahead. Nine months is a lifetime in tech, but it’s also the future. Owen, you want to sell it? That’s selling our soul.
Johnathan Mercer (CEO)
Rebecca, I hear you, desperation stinks, and the market smells weakness. Harold, I respect caution, but Lucas is right, safety kills ambition. Naomi, morale isn’t a side note, it’s the backbone. Daniel, keep the cyber vultures out, but don’t think a locked door is growth. Charles, strategy without risk is just paperwork.
Johnathan Mercer (CEO)
And Isabella… you’ve thrown the match on the powder keg. So here’s the line... We’re not selling. We’re not folding. We cut waste, we double the pace, and we launch that AI before anyone else. If that means sleepless nights, so be it. This is Horizon Global. We build the future, we don’t auction it.
Back at Alex's house... Damian already left
Michael
Where're you going?
Alex Vane
To file a missing person report to the cops. We can't just stay back. That's my sister!!
Mike was cut short of words when Alex's phone suddenly rang... Alex glanced through the strange number as he barely answers...
It was a detective who replied through the phone...
Detective Phil
Alex Vane? Is it?
Alex Vane
Who are you, what'd you want?
Detective Phil
I'm Detective Phil from The NYPD... Do you happen to know someone... A girl... Elara... Elara Vane. Well we found some detailed information and also her ID. You must be her brother if I'm not mistaken. We need you in the station... as fast as possible, sir.
Alex Vane
H-Hello? Hello?! Shit! He has my sister...
Alex turns confused to Michael who glanced clueless as well...
Her Smile Wasn't Human
By AetherQuill 0️⃣1️⃣
Comments
Kakashi Hatake
I can't stop thinking about the last chapter. Please don't leave me hanging for too long.
2025-08-14
1