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Chapter 4 - Chapter 3: My last hours

THE SYSTEM I CREATED

chapter 3

"My last hours"

The morning light spilled gently through the curtains, casting a warm glow across the room. Sarah stirred, her eyes fluttering open to find the bed beside her empty. She sat up, stretching, and noticed William already dressed in casual attire, his back to her as he looked for something in the dresser.

"Will?" Her voice was soft, curious. "Where are you off to? I thought we had plans today."

William turned, a sheepish expression crossing his face. "I'm sorry, Sarah, I should have mentioned it last night. Something came up with the project. I need to meet Kevin and sort some things out. I know we planned a trip for today..."

"You really are serious about going today?" She said.

"Yeah," he sighed, coming to sit on the edge of the bed, taking her hand. "But there's a chance we might still make it work. Kevin and I, we think we can finish the project on our own. It's important to me, you know that."

Sarah nodded, squeezing his hand gently. "I know it is, Will. And I support you. We can always reschedule our trip for tomorrow. Just promise me we'll make a day of it?"

"Absolutely," William smiled, relief flooding through him at her understanding. He leaned forward, planting a soft kiss on her forehead. "Thank you, Sarah. I promise, tomorrow is all about us. No work, just relaxation and us."

Sarah smiled, her heart warming at his promise. "Be safe, and I hope everything goes well today. Knock them dead, tiger."

With a final, reassuring smile, William stood, grabbed his keys from the dresser, and headed downstairs. He stepped into his shoes, grabbed his jacket, and exited the house, making his way to his car. He glanced back at the house, seeing Sarah at the window, waving. He waved back, then got into the car, starting the engine.

As he drove towards the workshop where he and Kevin had spent countless months developing their system, his mind buzzed with potential solutions and strategies. Today was crucial; they needed to iron out the final details and set their plan into motion. The setback at the meeting was just a hurdle—one they were ready to overcome. Energized by the possibilities, William felt a renewed sense of purpose as he navigated the familiar streets, ready to tackle the challenges that lay ahead.

When William Carter arrived at the workshop, he parked his car and immediately noticed something unusual—the entrance was unlocked, and the parking area was eerily empty except for his vehicle. No sign of Kevin's car, no sign of anyone inside the premises. Glancing around with a furrowed brow, William thought it odd yet brushed off the initial unease.

"Typical Kevin, probably ran out for something and didn't want to make me wait since he has the keys of the premises," he mused with a resigned smile, convincing himself that his friend's often haphazard habits were the cause of the scene.

With a shake of his head and a chuckle, William entered the workshop and made his way to the computer area, where their groundbreaking project awaited. The place was silent, save for the soft hum of machines and the occasional beep of equipment powering up. As he settled into the flow of work, thirty minutes breezed by. Driven by a mix of curiosity and impatience to see their creation in action, William decided it was time to test the system they had devoted so much time to—the neural pathway processor.

Despite knowing the risks of engaging with such powerful technology untested, William's enthusiasm overrode his caution.

"Let's see what you can really do," he thought, adjusting the equipment and preparing himself mentally to connect. The process was risky, especially without supervision, but his desire to experience their work firsthand clouded his judgment.

As he initiated the system, sensations flooded through him, an electric thrill mixed with a hint of apprehension. Ten minutes into the test, a sudden, sharp noise broke his concentration. A gunshot shattered the silence, echoing ominously through the empty workshop.

Moments later, Kevin, blissfully unaware of the horror that awaited him, pulled into the parking lot. Excitement bubbled within him as he anticipated another productive day refining their tech. But as he approached the entrance, his steps slowed, a sense of foreboding washing over him. The door stood ajar, an unusual sight that set off alarm bells in his mind.

Kevin hurried inside, calling out, "William? Are you here?" His voice echoed off the walls, unanswered. As he rounded into the main work area, his eyes landed on a horrifying sight—William, motionless, floating in a pool of his own blood.

Panic seized Kevin. He rushed to William's side, yelling his name, shaking him gently in a desperate attempt to elicit any sign of consciousness. "William! William, can you hear me?" His voice was laden with fear and urgency.

In those fleeting moments, William's consciousness flickered like a dimming light. He could hear Kevin's voice, distant and fading, as the edges of his vision darkened. The reality of his situation sank in—he was dying, the life ebbing out of him with each passing second.

The scene fades as William's thoughts blur into darkness, leaving Kevin alone with the unfolding tragedy, his cries for help echoing unanswered in the cold, technological expanse of their once promising workshop.