I arrived at the office early, carrying everything I needed for my new job. I was told to report to the HR department.
When I got there, only the security officers were present. They chuckled and told me that HR doesn't start duty until after 8:30. Well, of course… who comes to the office at 6:30 AM? They're more like uncles than security officers, really. They must be at least 30 years older than me. But they call me "malli" (little brother), so I can't bring myself to call them "uncle."
... .. ...
The HR office didn't have much to say. They introduced me to the team, gave a brief overview of the company and the director board, and explained what my training would involve. There were ten other trainees, and I was the youngest. The others seemed to have some field experience.
They said they'd take us to the site in the afternoon to get familiar with everything, gradually introducing us to the work. I'm not sure what to expect.
... ...
I got home around 4:00 PM. Since I applied for a position in Pharmacy, I was assigned to that department. My training there will last three months.
For now, everything seems okay. The real challenge will be the drill set in the evenings.
As usual, I took a shower and collapsed into bed, falling asleep instantly.
- - - - - - - - - -
Somewhere in another realm...
Cruelty had shaped this chamber, carved into every jagged bone and black stone. The throne, a grotesque monument of splintered remains, loomed atop a dais of polished obsidian. Skulls lined the walls, their empty sockets seeming to watch with silent judgment. A flickering torch, its flame a sickly green, cast long, writhing shadows that slithered across the grotesque decorations. The air reeked of death, thick with the stench of decay and old blood. In the center of the room, a dark pool of stagnant blood stained the obsidian floor, its oily surface reflecting the still-twitching limbs of an impaled corpse.
"Well? Have you found that vile creature yet, you maggot?" The voice was a snarl, thick with hatred, echoing through the chamber like a physical blow. "Or are you going to waste my time with more of your sniveling incompetence?"
The man, a cowering figure draped in shadows, practically groveled. His fiery red eyes, usually burning with a fierce light, were now dull with terror. "No… no, Master… We… we haven't been able to yet…"
The figure on the bone throne, a skeletal emperor of nightmares, let out a chilling chuckle. "Haven't been able? Is that what you call it? A blind dog could have sniffed her out by now. You disappoint me on a level I didn't think possible. You disgust me. You are less than the excrement I scrape from my boots." The figure’s gaze sharpened, focusing on the man with terrifying intensity. "Do you understand? You are nothing."
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The kneeling man trembled so violently he could barely remain upright. He dared not look up.
"I gave you three days," the figure continued, the voice now a silken purr that somehow made it even more menacing. "Three days to find that wretched serpent. I even provided you with a little… incentive… to ensure the dragon's cooperation. And you fail. You fail utterly. You are a stain on my glorious vision."
The figure gestured languidly toward the impaled corpse nearby. "Tell me, how did your colleague fare? Did his… enthusiasm… inspire you?" The question was rhetorical, the answer clear in the still-twitching limbs and the pool of dark blood spreading across the floor.
The red-eyed man’s breath hitched. He swallowed hard, trying to force words past his constricted throat.
"Get out," the figure hissed, the voice suddenly hardening like steel. "And don't return until you have her. Or I swear, by the powers that forged this throne, I will flay you alive and wear your skin as a trophy. Your failure is an insult. And I… I do not tolerate insults."
The red-eyed man didn't wait for another word. He scrambled back, practically crawling in his haste to escape the figure's wrath. He vanished into the shadows, leaving behind only the echo of his terrified breathing.
- - - - - - - - -
The insistent ringing of my phone dragged me from sleep. Trin… Trin… I fumbled for the device on my nightstand, my eyes still heavy. It was Dhanu.
"Hello?" I mumbled, my voice still thick with sleep.
"Is this Ayan?" Dhanu asked, his voice a mix of surprise and curiosity. "What happened to your voice? It's… deeper. And… is that a growl I hear?"
I blinked, momentarily taken aback. I hadn't really noticed the change myself, but now that he mentioned it… "Uh, yeah, it's me," I replied, trying to sound more awake. "I guess I'm just still half asleep… or maybe I'm turning into a werewolf," I joked, a nervous laugh escaping my lips. The joke felt a little too close to the truth for comfort.
"Wow," Dhanu chuckled. "You sound like you've aged ten years over the week. Seriously, man, everything okay? You sound… different."
"Yeah, everything's fine," I assured him, though a flicker of unease went through me. "Just a long week. Lots of… training."
"Training, huh? Sounds intense," Dhanu said. "Well, guess what? We're coming over on Saturday!"
My eyes snapped open, the lingering fog of sleep finally clearing. "Seriously? That's awesome! How long are you staying?"
"Well," Dhanu explained, "we're finishing up some work first, then we're having a small ceremony on Saturday. After that, we'll probably stick around for a couple of days."
"Cool! Saturday works for me," I said, already feeling a surge of excitement. It had been too long.
"Great! We're all set then. We're really looking forward to it. And guess what else?" Dhanu's voice dropped to a conspiratorial whisper. "We're celebrating! Both of us have some good news. So, we're thinking a small party is in order."
"Awesome! What did you have in mind?" I asked, already picturing us catching up and celebrating.
"We were thinking maybe a movie night," Dhanu suggested. "What do you think? We could grab some snacks and just chill."
"Sounds perfect," I replied. "I'm in."
I hung up, a smile spreading across my face. It would be great to see Dhanu and his friend again. I wondered what their good news was. And a movie night sounded like just what I needed after a long week of work and training. But Dhanu's comments about my voice lingered in my mind. I made a mental note to pay closer attention to how I sounded later. I stretched, feeling a surge of anticipation, mixed with a touch of unease. Saturday couldn't come soon enough