The hum of the office was punctuated by the sharp click of Mr. Hendricks' shoes on the linoleum floor. He emerged from his office, his eyes scanning the room with a mix of irritation and impatience.
"Has anyone seen Sam Walker?" Mr. Hendricks barked, his voice carrying across the cubicles.
Heads turned, but no one spoke. Sam was a constant target, and anyone associating with him risked becoming a target themselves. Mr. Hendricks frowned, his frustration mounting. "Does anyone know where he is?"
Marianne shifted uncomfortably in her seat, her eyes darting towards Mr. Hendricks. She remembered Sam's warning from a few days ago, urging her to keep her distance to avoid the wrath of their colleagues. She wanted to speak up but feared the consequences.
James Weston leaned back in his chair, a smug smile playing on his lips. He had already informed Mr. Hendricks about spotting Sam on the bus, relishing the thought of Sam getting into trouble. But he stayed silent, enjoying the unfolding drama.
Mr. Hendricks sighed loudly. "If anyone has any information, now would be the time to share it," he said, his voice tinged with annoyance. The room remained silent. He muttered something under his breath and stormed back into his office, slamming the door behind him.
Meanwhile, miles away, Sam was on a journey of discovery. After changing multiple vehicles, he finally arrived at the first piece of land closest to his house. The map and deeds clutched tightly in his hand, he stepped off the final bus and looked around.
The land stretched out before him, and what he saw left him in a state of shock. His mind raced, trying to comprehend the enormity of what lay before him. But before he could fully process the sight, his phone rang, breaking the silence. The screen flashed with Mr. Hendricks' name.
With a sinking feeling, Sam answered the call. "Hello?"
"Walker, where the hell are you?" Mr. Hendricks' voice thundered through the phone. "Do you have any idea how irresponsible it is to skip work without notice?"
"Sir, I—" Sam began, but Mr. Hendricks cut him off.
"Save it! James saw you on a bus heading away from your house. Don't even try to lie to me about funeral arrangements. Where are you?"
Sam's mind scrambled for an excuse. "I... I was—"
"Enough!" Mr. Hendricks shouted. "You get back to this office before it closes today, or consider yourself fired! Do you understand?"
The line went dead before Sam could respond. He stared at his phone, Mr. Hendricks' words echoing in his mind. Fired. The threat hung over him like a guillotine.
Sam looked back at the land before him, his thoughts a whirlwind of confusion and uncertainty. If what he saw was truly his, then he had options. He didn't need to endure the daily torment of his job, the bullying, and the constant dread. But if it wasn't what he thought, if he had misunderstood his grandfather's legacy, then losing his job would be disastrous.
He sat down on a nearby rock, his mind racing. "What do I do?" he muttered to himself. "Do I go back and face Hendricks, or do I stay here and risk everything?"
He remembered the years of humiliation, the relentless bullying, and the empty, suffocating atmosphere of the office. And then he thought of his grandfather, the hidden map, and the legacy waiting to be uncovered.
Sam closed his eyes, trying to find clarity. "If this land is really mine," he thought, "then I don't need that job. I don't need to live like this anymore."
But doubt gnawed at him. What if he was wrong? What if this land wasn't what he hoped it would be? He couldn't afford to make a mistake.
Taking a deep breath, he made his decision. He would explore the land further. He needed to be sure. If it was truly his, then his path was clear. If not, he would face the consequences at work.
Sam stood up, determination in his eyes. He would find out the truth about this land, no matter what it took. And with that resolve, he stepped forward, ready to uncover the mystery that lay before him.