I always felt like a puzzle with missing pieces, a broken person to those around me. At least, that’s what the people around me used to think.

They would never say it out loud, but I could always hear their hushed voices, their whispers about me behind my back, in a room where the door is open just enough to be able to make out their words.

I never quite understood what was so wrong about me, what labeled me as “the weird kid” in class.

In truth, it often seemed that they were the ones who were mistaken.

For example, something many humans aspire and quest after.

Love.

Finding “the one” whom you want to spend your whole life with, whom you want to start a family with.

Although there are a select few exceptions, almost all marriages eventually fall apart through cases of infidelity, domestic abuse, or for the simple reason that they don’t love each other anymore.

About half of all marriages collapse within seven years of inception.

What’s worse is that people who are less well off in the marriage- usually the woman- are able to go for more than fifty percent of all your assets even if they contributed nothing to your financial success.

Or that a prenup will get thrown out by the judge, no matter how ironclad.

I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again: Marriage is a scam.

My second critique would be the concept of friendship.

There are only backstabbers and potential backstabbers in the world. Friendship is nothing more than an agreement of services exchanged by both parties, if you’re fortunate that is. It is merely a vain dream, a virtual image, a fantasy. I won’t take any counter arguments.

Anyone paying attention can see these facts, and the fact that I'm one of the few who notice is proof that humans will lead to their own extinction..

In a crowd of insane people, the ones that can think straight are the ones who most stand out, and who are gaslighted to believe that there is something wrong with them.

“And now, it's time to announce the recipient of the Axel Awards!” The woman on stage declared, interrupting my thoughts.

“The honor goes to none other than the individual who revolutionized the semiconductor industry through exceptional innovations. Musa Laurusa, would you please stand up!”

With applause cascading around me, I rose from my seat, my smile forced as I acknowledged the audience.

I walked up to the podium of the event, my fingers grasping for the microphone.

“Thank you Sarah, I knew only you could give me such a grand entrance.” I said, my gaze on the crowd, then gave a feel good speech about made up bullshit such as praising the contributions of fictional allies. Though I did most of the work.

A chuckle arose within me from what I was saying.

In truth, most of the people here in the award show are just as fucked up as I am, maybe even more.

It all depends on how well you’re able to hide your sociopathy from the rest of the world. It all depends on how the camera perceives you.

I can almost go home.. I thought, as I leaned on the balcony’s railing under the starry night sky, engrossed in my mobile game.

Enjoying the small things in life such as playing games is how you achieve true enlightenment, in my humblest of opinions.

As opposed to the real world, no time gets wasted here, for every passing second can elevate your skills.

No disingenuous smile, no need to pretend humility in order to advance.

You can even rightfully shit-talk other players if your level is high enough.

This is what humanity should aspire to be like!

Suddenly, I felt a tap on my right shoulder as I was training my melee skills. From the corner of my eye, I can just barely make out who stood behind me.

“Great speech back there, Mr.Laurusa.” William Rathschar said.

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I made my character run into a safe spot, then put my phone into my pocket.

“Thank you.” I said, and reached for his hand.

A person of brownish complexion, he was a corporate business owner, though despite being in his thirties, the years haven’t been nearly as loving for him as they were for me. William’s eyes, for example, approached that of a mad scientist’s, and his hair looked like an eight year old drew it.

Nevertheless, I remained respectful, even if it was disingenuous.

Proper etiquette is an important trait in human affairs.

It’s one of the two things that seperate us from the beasts in the wild, etiquette and obedience towards the rules.

Though ironically, at some points you will be required to transform into an animal to further climb up the natural hierarchies of humanity.

“So, exceptional innovations, huh?” He uttered.

I nodded, my eyes drawn towards the sky.

“What game were you playing?” William asked, his fingers grazing his chin.

It’s not a question many adults ask other adults in this setting, as it’s seen as childish.

“It’s RealmQuest.” I answered. He fidgeted with his hands, and tapped impatiently at the carpeted ground beneath him, biting his under-lips as he simply looked at me like he wanted to know something.

“And you, uh, mentioned someone called Ulviye as a woman who spearheaded the development of the Type XVI-A conductor?”

“Yes. What about it?”

He remained silent.

What does he want from me? I asked myself.

William Rathschars is a nominal acquaintance of mine, though it’d really be more accurate to label him a subordinate.

“...me..” he said under his breath.

“Excuse me?”

“...Why did you not feel the need to mention me?” He repeated.

I raised an eyebrow.

“Why should I have mentioned you?”

William’s lips tightened into a thin line as his eyes narrowed when he heard that, a small crease forming on his forehead.

He looked around, to both sides of the hallway, then looked back at me.

“M-my company and I proved the possibility of the development of room-temperature superconductors before you bought us out and made us share our confidential research!” He lashed out.

I sighed.

“Yes, you did. Thank you for that.”

“So then-”

“That’s enough.” I raised my hand up to his face.

“This is your punishment for your defiance against my first buyout offer. I’ve had to fight tooth and nail to get your company under my wing.” I closed my eyes

“Let me relish in your suffering for just a little bit, at least.”

“You blackmailed me into-”

“Listen, William.” I took him by his neck, and pulled him closer to me like an owner who had to discipline his dog.

“If you didn’t want to be in this hell, then you shouldn’t have diddled on those girls in Cairo now should you? God, William, at least act discreetly about it.”

He parted his lips as if to say something, then pursed it together. The fear in his eyes was blatant for anyone who looked at him, as it should be.

Only true broken men and women would target children for their bodies. Even though he is a waste of oxygen, he is still competent enough to grow his branch of my company, and that’s more valuable than firing food waste.

It is often fear that keeps people in line, that makes them understand their place.

Of course, I made sure to have the kids stay out of reach from him. The loss of money on child prostitutes can be consequential to the entire business.

I pulled my phone out and opened my game up.

“Have a good evening.” I said.

He walked away, muttering something underneath his breath, though I paid no heed to it.

Yet, in the next moment, a sharp, piercing pain erupted at the base of my skull, a sensation akin to getting hit by a bat. The world flickered black, and it swirled and twisted before I knew what was going on.

“Fuck you!” The panting voice yelled.

I felt my body getting elevated, as if someone was trying to throw me off the balcony.

Everything became clearer by the second, and my desperate kicks and punches hurled into the air were able to land on the perpetrator.

Though it was too late, for I was already hanging from the railing atop a ten story building.

And then I saw who was trying to assassinate me, though it’s quite obvious in hindsight.

William.

“W-William, wait!” I yelled as he’s trying to pry my fingers off of the bars.

“You’re a dead man, Musa! I’ve been longing to do this for so long, no way I won’t grab my chance!” His eyes burned with a malevolent fire, a chilling determination that sent shivers down my spine. Even though he’d get convicted to life imprisonment, and his secrets would be leaked to the world in case of my death, he still went ahead and attempted to murder me. It was neither logical nor rational for him to do something like that.

My own life is worth more than everything else to me, yet I couldn’t do a damn thing to protect it. I let my guard down just once, and now I’m facing certain death.

There isn’t much time left before I plummet to the ground.

I have one last opportunity to exact revenge on him.

I grit my teeth, preparing myself for what’s about to come.

“If I go down, you’re gonna go down with me, you bastard!” My voice rang out with a mix of rage and desperation as I thrust my head forward with all the force I could muster, connecting with a sickening impact on his nose. But the strike had its desired effect—it stunned him, disoriented him just enough for me to grab hold of his collar.

By pure strength I hauled him over the balcony’s edge, my grip fueled with adrenaline and vengeance.

His knees were hanging on the rails by a thread, while I was holding him by his neck, attempting to force my way up to safety.

Though, predictably, his legs gave out, and we both ended up free-falling towards the concrete.

Unfortunately, his unresponsiveness made me believe that I had broken his neck before he could feel the impact of the fall.

The distance between the balcony and the pathway below us, is about thirty three meters, or approximately four seconds before I die.

Time slowed down around me as we plummeted, my mind racing to find safety. I’ve always been adept at finding solutions to many different moments at the last second, and this situation was no different.

But there is no escape from death. The path towards it is unavoidable.

I glance at William, his lifeless form beside me.

My lips curled into a smile from knowing that I could at least take him of all people with me to death.

I close my eyes, bracing for the impact that is sure to come.

The impact comes swift and brutal, shattering bones and senses in an instant. And at that moment, I thought I was done for.

Yet, as I opened my eyes, I realized I hadn’t died just yet.