It was a day like any other day.

When his alarm clock rang, Frederick Brown turned it off—just like he had the day before, and the one before that.

Then he rose, yawned, and took a shower.

He poured some milk into a bowl of cereals and sat on his balcony to watch the sun rise as he ate his breakfast.

When he was done, he washed the bowl, dried it, and placed it back in the cupboard.

One by one, he visited each room and made sure everything was clean and tidy. He had a strong aversion to clutter and filth.

There would be much to do in the hours to come, but still he took the time to go out and jog.

Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.

Just like any other day.

He waved at his neighbor—the one who always left for work at six.

When he got back home, he showered once more, to wash off the sweat.

He put on his work clothes, checked his image in the mirror, then left his house and locked the door.

Just like any other day.

When he got into his glider, he asked its AI to take him to the police station.

As the vehicle launched into the sky, he went through all the messages that had piled up on his wristpad and made sure he answered everything that required an answer.

Finally, when he felt he had gone through all the required motions, he lay back, closed his eyes, and rubbed his temples to help himself relax.

An odd hissing sound grew, as if something was leaking.

Brown grabbed tightly at the armrests and calmly waited.

The glider wavered and tilted at an odd angle. Then, suddenly, it shook and spun. Its nose tipped, and it plummeted down at incredible speed.

The rear end burst into flames.

The engine made one last attempt to restart before the glider exploded.

Brown was killed in the blast, five seconds before the wreckage hit the ground.

It was not, after all, a day like any other.