The time is 4:20, just forty minutes to go before the end of the workday. I can't wait to get home and finish the book I've been reading. It's got such a great mystery that I need to unravel! The team meeting is my last engagement for the day. Quite literally the most boring meeting I could ever sit through. Budget reports, market trends, new and upcoming ideas boring, boring, boring. When is there going to be a new strategy? Something innovative they haven't tried that they will then document in the company records. Cutting-edge technologies, groundbreaking projects, emerging markets, just something new, original, not ordinary.
The meeting room is bright from the ceiling lights, and people in suits and pencil-skirts are talking about work. As the discussion drones on, my mind occasionally drifts away from that of charts and statistics. I wish something interesting or clever would come up, or a spark of creativity to make this work routine more exciting and break the consistency of this world. The ticking of the clock feels like it's matching the fading excitement, covered by the same old meeting topics.
Outside the meeting room, the office is busy as people finish their work and get ready for the end of the day. But something surprising happens, making the usual evening plans change. The lights go off, and everything gets quiet. No more writing with pens, no more noise from the air conditioner, and the sound of typing on keyboards stop. It's uncomfortable and uneasily silent now. A mysterious whisper fills the room, making me and my colleagues uneasy as we remain unsure of its source.
When the lights go out, the room transforms into a predominantly gray environment, void of much color, except for the occasional illumination provided by a phone flashlight. Power goes out, yet the workday still doesn't end. No matter what you do, the work won't end just by taking out the power. All it does is slow down the day, slow down time, put certain tasks and project deadlines on hold. Unfortunately for me, my supervisor was presenting normal pieces of white cardboard, the type you would use for a highschool presentation. Which means, once we find some lanterns, it continues. That said, using our phone lights, we collected a few flashlights, lanterns, practically anything we could find in the storage closet that produced some sort of glow and the presentation continued. After about ten more minutes of listening to him drone on, I slipped out of the meeting. This, unsurprisingly, was rather easy as there were no lights other than on him and his project board. My supervisor was engrossed in the presentation slides while discussing his ideas and points. I was already aware of the majority of the information and content he was presenting because he had briefed me beforehand and asked for some opinions and additional research I had provided for him on the side of my usual work.
Walking through the dark office, I moved confidently since I knew where things were. The flickering emergency lights gave a faint glow to help me see until I was near the windowed hallways. It felt strange without the usual sounds of computers and machines. Passing by dark cubicles, I found the atmosphere interesting. People whispered with uncertainty, but we all felt a sense of togetherness.
As I kept walking through the office, a strange calm feeling filled the air. There was also the lingering scent of vanilla that came from a wax melter as it cools. The emergency lights flickered, making shadows here and there. The atmosphere felt a bit weird, both spooky and peaceful at the same time. There was a different feeling in the air, like we all silently agreed that the power outage gave us a break from the usual routine and showed us a different side of things.
I looked to the big windows adorning the walls of the hallway. Without power, the city outside looks mysterious. The streets were enveloped in darkness as the sun hid behind the towering buildings, casting deep shadows. Through the dim reflection in the window, I could see myself—a solitary figure amidst the gloom. My dark hair cascaded in waves around my shoulders, framing a face adorned with eyes as deep and mysterious as the night itself. A sense of weariness weighed heavily upon my features, mirrored in the tired lines etched into my brow and the faint shadows beneath my eyes. My expression echoed the routine of my existence, trapped in a cycle of boredom and longing for something more. As I stood in silent contemplation, a peculiar vision unfolded within my mind...
・・・
A winding river flows gently, curving around bends as it heads to the peaceful lake. The river courses through the quaint small town, and as night comes, a magical feeling fills the air. In this normal-looking town, strange-supernatural creatures coexist peacefully, keeping to their own. No one's a king or queen; everyone's just living their lives in this interesting mix of magical beings.
Children, mainly hybrids, stay within this small town. Purity in their supernatural heritage is a rarity, as unions between all types of supernatural species create a unique existence. Contrary to common fairytales and rumors, the inhabitants live in relative harmony, resolving occasional conflicts, arguments, and moments of violence—though not as frequently as in years past. Beyond the realm of this town, other worlds exist—some shrouded in permanent darkness, others radiant like sunlit clouds on a perfect day. These alternate realms have their own diverse species and majestic creatures, each world consisting of their own wonders.
Among the residents of the small town are two particular children, bound not by blood but by an enduring friendship. Having known each other practically since birth in a town where everyone knows everyone, they spend their days in the flat, grassy fields near their village. The sun sits high in the clear sky, showering their activities with a golden glow. Their relationship transcends the boundaries of mere friendship, encompassing loyalty and love.
The demon boy, born from the pure union of two demons, harbors a deep and enduring love for the young elf. Throughout their existence, his affection for her has remained unwavering as it reflected in his red eyes, constantly shaping the narrative of their lives. His feelings for her are proof of the depth of friendship they share, a connection forged in the inscription of time.
The elf, in turn, reciprocates this loyalty with a genuine liking for her best friend. However, she sees things in a detailed way, understanding the differences between good and bad, what you want and what you need, and the complicated parts of life. Even though he is nice, generous, and understanding, she knows there's a darker side to him. Sometimes, it makes her uneasy, and she tries to be careful and cautious about it. He's really kind, different from what people expect from a demon, but she can't ignore the parts of him that are more complicated than they seem. Especially what lies beneath the surface.
・・・
Then it was over. I blink my eyes in disbelief at what I have just seen. It was so vivid, so real but just like a daydream. The emotions were very real and felt like I was living those moments. I glance over to the clock on the other wall and it's 4:49. Only a couple of minutes have passed. I couldn't shake off the lingering sensation of having glimpsed into an intriguing and unsettling mystery.
After a quick pause, attempting to shake off the strange lingering feeling, I return to the meeting room. The dark cubicles, once occupied by my colleagues, are now empty. They've either gone home or ventured elsewhere to find some light. The day is so close to ending, and I eagerly await for that very moment. The two rooms preceding my meeting space are dim and deserted. I slide back into the room and settle back into my seat. And just like that, the power is restored, right on cue. My timing couldn't have been better!
Relieved that the meeting and the peculiar power outage ordeal was over, I could finally wrap up my workday. With my belongings in hand, I stepped out of the office, eager to leave and head home. The city streets, illuminated by the soft glow of streetlights once more make my drive home peaceful and well lit. The familiar route feels comforting as I navigate through the busy streets, passing by familiar landmarks that stand out in the sunset.
Arriving home, I breathe a sigh of relief as I step into the cozy warmth of my living room. The electric fireplace is burning and the smell of pine and oranges entangle me. The soft buzz of the ceiling lights and the fireplace provide a stark contrast to the earlier power outage at the office. Taking a moment to unwind, I hang up my jacket and take off my shoes. After changing into my pajamas, I grab my book and settle into my favorite spot on my cream colored couch, enjoying the calm and solitude.
・・・
The years of waiting are coming to an end. Time is nearing and the moment of action is arriving. I've waited all of these years for you to be reborn and brought back into my arms at last. Just a few more days...
・・・
YOU ARE READING
Thornheart: Echoes of Destiny
Mystery / Thriller...5 Parts... Thornheart: Echoes of Destiny unravels a tale where the mundane collides with the extraordinary. As a routine workday nears its end, a mysterious power outage transforms a bland office into a realm teeming with whispered secrets and un...
