The rain never stopped in Apex Prime. It wasn't natural rain — just the condensation from the city's towering ventilation systems, a toxic byproduct of corporate filtration units that kept the elite breathing fresh air above while the lower districts choked on smog.Inspector Raq stood at the edge of a forgotten high-rise, staring down at the dystopian sprawl below. It was a world of flickering holograms, decayed neon, and artificial voices whispering promises of a better life that no one could afford.

The city buzzed beneath him—electric with life, yet utterly lifeless. From here, he could see the divide between those who had everything and those who had nothing. High above, the corporate towers gleamed, sealed off from the filth of the lower streets. Below, holographic billboards cast artificial daylight onto rusted infrastructure, pushing ads into the brains of those too exhausted to resist.

The wind tugged at his coat. His hands trembled. Something had brought him here tonight.Or someone.

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

The thoughts had started weeks ago. Whispers in his mind. Doubts that weren't his own.

"You're tired, aren't you?"

Raq clenched his jaw, he felt very, very tired.

"You've done all you can. You've tried to stop this. But you can't. No one can."

The case had consumed him. He had chased shadows, tried to connect the dots that no one else saw. He tried ...

"There's only one way to escape this."

He squeezed his eyes shut. No. This wasn't him. This wasn't his thought.

Yet, it felt so right.

He had seen too much, asked too many questions. And now the city—the thing that chewed up and spat out its people—had turned its gaze on him.

He took a deep breath. His foot hovered over the edge.

"Let go."

The words whispered in his mind. This time, he didn't fight them.

He stepped forward — and fell.

The city rushed up to meet him, its neon glow turning into streaks of color. For a moment, there was nothing but silence.

There was impact and his world went dark.