Annoying prick. {rewritten}

Chapter 2

Working with Jack was interesting. He always had something to say. Whether it was a rant about tassitor or if it was a detailed explanation of a project he was working on.

I always listened too, even if some days it annoyed me.

I had changed my routine. I woke up at four in the morning went to the gym, then showered and threw on some work clothes, brushed teeth and hair and made it to my desk at five.

Jack didn't roll in until six thirty so until then I cracked music and worked through my more complex projects that need my attention. When jack did show up it was always with coffee and a new story.

The around noon we'd go to lunch. He'd go get food and I'd go straight to the platform. I'd smoke one cigarette and listen to him rant about something or finish a story from earlier in the day.

Then we'd work until four pm. I'd smile and say good bye before heading to the sport facility and swimming. Around six I'd head home and make dinner. I'd text some other coworkers before going to sleep and repeating the same routine the next day.

At first I was slightly off put by the change but I warmed up to it rather quick. I would never admit it out loud but it was nice to have another human in my life.

I sat at my desk. I kept glancing at the clock. It was getting close to lunch and today had been extra rough. Tassitor had dropped two new projects on my already overflowing workload. Then some asshole from accounting had yelled at me about funding for the code department.

I was ready for a smoke and maybe for once I would do the ranting. I'd tell Jack all about how much I wanted to bash In the prick from accountings face. To shove my thumbs right through his pathetic beady eyes.

Though our conversations were commonly quite dark and included our fantasies of brutalizing coworkers neither of us seemed to mind.

Though I didn't talk frequently there was a understanding between the two of us that I felt strongly about certain things. Including violence.

I glanced at the clock again. Minutes remained. I then glanced at jacks desk, it was empty. He had gone to pick up some 'package' before lunch.

My eyes returned to the clock and instantly I stood up and headed toward the door. I stepped outside of the shared office and passed fellow coworkers not sparing a glance.

They weren't worth anything to me.

I stepped to a fast travel station and typed in a code. Then selected the food court. I decided I would buy lunch for us today since Jack was busy. 

I held my breath as the world shifted around me. I was never a fan of fast travel but it was convenient.

I sent Jack a message through my echo as I walked to his favorite restaurant. As I ordered it dinged in response. All I got was a giant smiley face emoji.

I took the food and started the walk to our spot. I was walking down the hall when the floor shook a little bit. I froze for a moment but then continued on. Probably just an asteroid making it through the field.

I was almost to the platform when the whole hallway shook violently. The shake sent me straight onto the floor. I dropped the food I was holding and quickly looked up.

The lights turned red and flashed blindingly. A moment later and alarm was blaring. I was frozen on the floor about to stand again when the hall shook even more violently.

I braced myself until the hall settled. I then stood up and instantly sprinted back toward the office.

Something was up and I needed to know now. I  tried messaging Jack again but none of my echo messages would go through. I was close to the hall of Helios when I then heard screams. Gunshots followed swiftly behind them.