Nathaniel Silas stared at the mirror in his room, adjusting the black tie neatly knotted around his neck. His face was handsome, his smile calm, presenting a flawless appearance.
Nate's eyes traced every detail of his reflection, ensuring nothing was out of place. He always had to look impeccable in front of anyone.
Today was just another ordinary day, filled with routines at Genotrix Technologies. As a senior scientist, Nate was renowned for his intelligence and outstanding work.
He donned his black suit with practiced movements, savoring the meticulousness he always maintained.
Before leaving, Nate glanced at a small table in the corner of his room. There, a scalpel gleamed under the light.
With a slight smile, he stared at the blade for a moment before heading out. His mind was well-trained to shift from one routine to the next, as if everything was carefully orchestrated.
As Nate left his apartment, a few neighbors greeted him warmly.
"Good morning, Nate!" called a man from the floor below.
"Good morning," Nate replied with a polite smile. A smile that had never failed to build his image as a good man.
When he arrived at the office, Nate was immediately greeted by Jake Turner.
"Good morning, Nate. Ready for the big meeting today?" he asked, patting Nate's shoulder.
Nate smiled slightly, though his mind was already fully focused on the presentation he was about to give.
"Always ready, Jake. How about you?" he responded lightly.
Jake chuckled and nodded.
"I'm sure it'll go smoothly. We've got plenty of solid data," he replied enthusiastically.
They walked toward the meeting room, where Elena Vargas and a few other team members were already waiting. In the middle of the table, stacks of documents and research notes were prepared.
Nate sat down in front of the projector screen, setting up his presentation with the same calmness as always. Elena watched him attentively, knowing Nate could always be relied on to lead the team well.
"Alright, Nate, we can start," Elena said, giving a nod to begin.
"I'd like to hear more about the research you've been working on these past few weeks."
Nate stood confidently, looking at the large screen behind him, which displayed visual data.
"As we know, our main focus is the development of protein-based neurostimulation," he said, his voice clear and measured.
He pointed to a graph showing the results of trials on brain tissue.
"We've conducted several trials using simulation models that indicate increased stimulation can help repair damaged synapses."
Elena nodded, following closely.
"Is there any indication this could be applied to patients with neurological disorders?" she asked with enthusiasm.
Nate smiled slightly.
"Yes, the initial results are very promising. We see great potential for therapy in cases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, particularly in slowing down nerve cell degeneration."
One team member, Dr. Hayes, raised his hand.
"What about long-term side effects? Is there a significant risk?" he asked seriously.
Nate looked at him for a moment, then calmly replied.
"We're still in the early stages, but the data shows that at low doses, the side effects are almost negligible. However, we'll certainly continue monitoring long-term effects in the next trial phases."
Dr. Hayes nodded, appearing satisfied with the answer. Nate continued explaining other technical aspects, answering each question with the calm and confidence that reassured everyone in the room.
Elena spoke again after Nate finished his presentation.
"Fantastic, Nate. As always, you've taken our research to the next level," she said with a proud smile.
Nate responded with a polite smile, though inside, the praise passed by without leaving a mark.
"Thank you, Elena. It's all thanks to the hard work of the team."
After the meeting, Nate returned to his desk with a sense of relief. He knew the role he played in front of his colleagues had been perfect.
Though his mind was briefly occupied by work, Nate could still feel the dark urge that always accompanied him. It was like a whisper in the distance, waiting to be satisfied.
When lunchtime arrived, Jake approached Nate with a cup of coffee in his hand.
"Lunch together? I need something to refuel," he said casually.
Nate looked at Jake for a moment before shaking his head.
"Thanks, Jake. I still have a few things to finish," he replied calmly.
Jake nodded and walked away, leaving Nate alone in the room that slowly grew quiet. Nate just sat still in his chair, letting his thoughts return to the plan he had made that morning.
He glanced at the clock in the corner of his computer screen. Time was moving too slowly today, as if challenging him to wait longer.
As the afternoon came and the office started to empty, Nate quickly finished his work. He knew tonight would be a long night, and he was ready.
He put on his black jacket and left the office with light steps. On his way home, Nate felt increasingly relaxed, as if the darkness of the night gave him new strength.
As he approached an alley, his gaze fell on an old man walking slowly with a cane. The man looked tired, his body trembling as he walked.
Nate approached him with a gentle smile on his face.
"Good evening, sir. Do you need any help?" he asked in a voice that always sounded soothing.
The old man turned and smiled weakly.
"Thank you, son. I just want to get home, but the road feels so long," he said, his voice trembling.
Nate offered his arm, guiding the old man with care.
"I'll help you. This road is indeed quiet, let me walk with you," he said softly.
The old man gratefully accepted Nate's offer. They walked together along the quiet sidewalk, under the dim streetlights.
However, in the stillness of the night, something within Nate began to change. A cold gleam appeared in his eyes, though the old man didn't notice.
As they entered a more secluded alley, Nate stopped. Around them, there was no one to see, only the gentle breeze of the night.
Nate's grip on the man's arm tightened.
"You must be very tired, sir. This road is indeed very long, especially for someone your age," he said, this time with a colder tone.
The old man sensed no danger. He just smiled weakly, thinking Nate genuinely intended to help him.
Nate reached into his jacket pocket, feeling the coldness of the scalpel he had prepared. In one swift motion, he pulled out the blade and stabbed it into the old man's neck.
Blood spurted, but Nate didn't stop there. He stabbed again and again, each thrust deeper and more brutal.
The old man's body crumpled to the ground, but Nate continued stabbing relentlessly. His expression was blank, emotionless, as if this was just a routine task.
After a dozen stabs, Nate finally stopped. The old man's body no longer moved, blood pooling around them.
Nate cleaned his scalpel with a tissue he had prepared beforehand, ensuring no trace was left. Everything had been planned perfectly.
He left the alley with light steps, as if nothing had happened. His face returned to the calm expression he always showed to everyone.