Chapter 1 – The Last Normal Day

The smell of freshly brewed coffee mixed with the distant honking of New York's early morning traffic. Sunlight streamed through the tall glass windows of the financial district office, casting reflections off polished desks and computer screens.

James Carter took a sip of his espresso, his eyes glued to the Bloomberg terminal in front of him. The S&P 500 had gapped up at the open, but the real action was in the futures market. Oil contracts were spiking, gold was retracing, and volatility in tech stocks had sent options traders scrambling. His fingers danced across the keyboard, placing a well-timed put option before switching to monitor his positions in the NASDAQ.

"Big move this morning?" a voice called out.

James glanced up to see Eric, one of the senior traders, leaning against his desk with a half-eaten bagel in hand.

"Nothing crazy, just some pre-market positioning. Might short Tesla later if it keeps pushing resistance."

Eric chuckled. "Always the calculated one. You coming to the bar later? Drinks on me."

James smirked but shook his head. "Can't. Got plans."

Eric rolled his eyes. "Let me guess—another night of staring at charts and eating takeout?"

James just laughed. He wasn't about to explain how little he cared for after-work socializing. Trading was a game, and the only way to win was to stay ahead.

The rest of the day passed in a blur of executed trades, price fluctuations, and market swings. By 3:59 PM, he had locked in a solid profit for the day. As the closing bell rang, he leaned back in his chair, stretching his arms. Another successful day.

He left the office as the city transitioned into the golden hues of dusk. The subway was packed as usual, a sea of tired professionals and students, each lost in their own world. When he finally reached his apartment, a high-rise overlooking the Hudson, he sighed, stepping inside the quiet space.

It was his birthday.

The realization hit him as he set his keys on the counter. He hadn't told anyone. No calls, no messages—only a notification from a food delivery app offering him a free slice of cake. He chuckled dryly.

Opening the fridge, he pulled out a small cake he had bought for himself. Nothing fancy, just a simple chocolate cake with a single candle. He lit it, the flickering glow casting shadows on the darkened walls.

For a moment, he hesitated. Was this what success looked like? A quiet apartment, a city that never slept, and no one to share the moment with?

Brushing off the thought, he took a forkful of cake. The taste was rich, but before he could fully savor it, a wave of dizziness hit him. His vision blurred. The room spun.

Then—darkness.

BEEP. BEEP. BEEP.

His alarm clock blared.

James jolted awake, his heart pounding. He blinked, confused. Sunlight streamed through the window. He turned his head toward the clock—6:30 AM.

The same time as yesterday.

The smell of coffee. The distant honking of traffic. His phone buzzed—market updates, the same as before.

James sat up, his breath hitching. His laptop screen was open, displaying the exact same market positions from the previous morning.

His heart raced.

"What the hell?"