Moonlit Office Secrets

Chapter 1

The open-plan software engineering office is abuzz with the fading echoes of a busy workday. You sit at one of four desks strategically positioned in a room, fostering an atmosphere of collaboration and camaraderie. Zac and Ryan fill the others as the only colleagues still left in their chairs for today. As you wind down after work, the air is filled with the hum of computers shutting down and the laughter of colleagues sharing lighthearted banter. The rest of the crew files out with goodbyes and see you laters, leaving just you and your small team.

Zac, the 31-year-old with dark hair and a short beard, leans back casually in his chair, arms crossed behind his head. His after-work routine involves the very small transition from somewhat professional engineering doctor/laid-back conversationalist to becoming just a no-holds bard entertaining story connoisseur. You find yourself drawn into another story with his magnetic charm, appreciating the humour with which he rattles off another out-the-gate tale from his and his friends' drunken escapades.

Ryan, the 24-year-old with a youthful appearance, adds a different flavour to the room. He has olive skin and brown eyes from his Indian heritage. He brings a touch of serenity to the post-work atmosphere. As a vegetarian and a spiritual soul, Ryan's conversations often drift into intriguing territories, captivating you in a philosophically engaging way.The banter flows freely, weaving through lines of code and office anecdotes. You engage in the conversation, enjoying the dynamic between Zac's playful remarks and Ryan's thoughtful reflections. Their chemistry is entertaining due to their stark differences and you appreciate that they get along well. It starts to get darker as the time passes.Zac finishes up another story.

"I think I managed to spend $1000 that weekend." He smirked.

"Dude, I make more than you, how can you afford that?" You tease back."Credit card." He replies. You roll your eyes."You still need to pay it back though?" Ryan says incredulously. Zac shrugs.

"What are we still doing here anyway?" Zac laughs as grabs his laptop and shoves it into his bag.

Ryan looks at his watch "Woah yea it's late, how have we been talking this long?" He exclaims as throws his bag over his shoulder.

"I'll see you tomorrow," Zac says, getting up and ready to go.

"You probably won't." You joke. His brow furrows. "I don't work Saturdays." He stares at you without saying anything, it looks like he's calculating something, and he looks a little concerned.

"It's Thursday." He says, but there's a little worry in his eyes.

"It was a short week remember? We got Monday off, you were probably hung over" You smirk.His expression darkens and he gasps almost inaudibly as he looks at the date on his phone. He glances out at the window behind him before quickly turning away.

"Fuck." he whispers.

It's dark at this point and the stars have come out. And the moon.