The Boss Is Dead

Epilogue

To whoever finds this,

A year ago my life was normal. I had a family, ran a successful company - Anderson Tech, that employed over 300 people and had a good future. I realize I took that for granted and was a harsh boss always demanding results.

I also had a one night stand with my secretary. Julia got pregnant and I ended my things with my fiancée. Yes- Sarah.

Then the outbreak spread fast and I lost everything quickly. My parents, sister Laura, brother-in-law Austen, and their two kids Emma and Michael all lived nearby. We would get together every Sunday for dinner.

Then the world changed overnight. It started with reports of a strange new virus spreading in other parts of Manhattan. Within weeks, it had reached us. The sick started attacking the healthy, and everything fell apart. I watched in horror as my parents were killed by my neighbor Mr. Wilson. Laura, Austen, Emma, and Michael barricaded themselves in their home, but it wasn't enough. I'll never forget Laura's screams over the phone as they were overrun.

I was devastated and completely alone. I thought it couldn't get worse but it did. So Julia and me, we leaned on each other wanting any comfort in this terrifying new world.

At the safe camp in Manhattan, I saw how much pain I caused Sarah and disappointment in those who respected me before – it was almost too much. But Julia was my priority now with our child coming. We escaped when the camp burned down, then at the cottage, her labor started. Nothing prepared me for the baby coming wrong and infected – Martha had to kill it. Julia didn't survive birth either. How can a man accept that?

I thought I might make things right with Sarah but it was too late. She moved on with someone better, Ben. I can't hate him, he seems nice. Seeing them pains me for the love lost. The latest tragedy added more regret to my life– if only I waited those people may still live. Their faces haunt me when I close my eyes.

I wrote this note before to end things after Sarah rejected me but couldn't do it. I thought I could bear the guilt and sorrow but it is consuming me daily. To everyone left, I'm sorry for the hurt caused and lives taken. I'm not strong enough to continue. Please don't repeat my mistakes. Remember each other and find happiness where possible. Don't let the darkness win like it has me.

Sarah, Ben - take care of each other and be happy.

The rest stay determined.

Carver, be kind, ruthlessness has costs.

Jake, don't stop joking, laughter keeps hope.

Learn from my failures and survive better than I did. I'm sorry and hope you forgive me one day. Goodbye.

~ Mark

Fido dropped the letter at Sarah's feet and walked away. Sarah slowly bent down to pick it up with shaking hands. As she began to read, tears formed in her eyes.

"What is it?" asked Ben with concern.

Sarah couldn't speak, she just handed the letter to Ben while sobs started to overtake her body. Ben quickly read through the letter, a look of sadness crossing his face. He pulled Sarah into a hug and held her close while she wept.

"The boss is dead," said Jake solemnly to the others in the room.

Tom and Amanda exchanged a sad glance. "So much tragedy," Amanda said with a sigh.

Carver walked over and peered over Ben's shoulder to read the letter for himself. His usual gruff personality softening as he read Mark's words. "He was truly suffering," Carver said.