Golden Melody

Chapter 3.6

Third person point of view

Senyor Wayne's office buzzed with excitement.

Investors, their faces etched with power and influence, mingled with the school's elite, congratulating the old man on his granddaughter's triumph.

Miexha Verra, the prodigy who had aced the International Examination, was the talk of the hour.
Her score had secured her a coveted spot in the Green Garden program, a year-long immersion in accelerated learning culminating in a fast-tracked graduation.

Mr. Hamilton, a man with a sharp, calculating gaze, stepped forward, holding a sleek, silver wristwatch.

The device shimmered under the office lights, its smooth, metallic surface reflecting the faces of the gathered crowd.
It was more than just a watch; it was a miniature marvel of technology, a testament to the relentless pursuit of progress.

"Senyor Wayne," he announced,
"for the safety of your esteemed students, I present the new and improved Green Garden wristwatches. These devices not only track location and record audio and video, but also monitor vital signs, ensuring the students' well-being."

The price tag was astronomical, but Rickzen Verra, Miexha's father, quickly interjected,

"For my daughter's safety, and for the safety of the precious children, we must invest." His words, laced with a hint of desperation, swayed the investors.

Lexy Green, her eyes narrowed with suspicion, spoke up,
"But Mr. Hamilton, are these devices truly safe? What if they..."

"Rest assured, Ms. Green," Mr. Hamilton interrupted smoothly,
"the watches are developed by Alex Simon, a Green Garden graduate, and have undergone rigorous safety testing. We have full monitoring and coverage to ensure the children's safety."

Senyor Wayne, though initially hesitant, agreed, swayed by the persuasive arguments and the promise of his granddaughter's safety.

He didn't know, however, that the watches held a hidden, sinister secret: a self-destruct mechanism, programmed to activate at a specific time.

Rickzen, with a triumphant smirk, introduced two new maids, their faces blank and expressionless, their movements robotic.

"They will be assisting the students in the Green Garden," he explained.
Lexy Green's suspicion deepened.

Cienna, Miexha's mother, thanked Mr. Hamilton profusely,
"Thank you for taking care of everything the Green Garden needs."

The investors, impressed by Mr. Hamilton's negotiation skills, congratulated him, their voices echoing with approval.

As they left, Senyor Wayne and Cienna remained, the old man's face etched with worry.

"Cienna," he whispered, his voice trembling,
"I don't feel right about this. These watches, Mr. Hamilton's insistence... it feels wrong. I fear for Miexha."

Cienna, though outwardly calm, felt a shiver run down her spine.
"Father, don't worry. I'm the school director. I'll keep a close eye on her. But... there is something off about all of this."

The weight of their shared unease hung heavy in the air, a silent acknowledgment of the unsettling shadows lurking beneath the surface of the Green Garden's seemingly perfect facade.

As they spoke, a faint, almost imperceptible hum resonated from the wristwatch lying on Senyor Wayne's desk. It was a sound only he could hear, a subtle warning of the danger that lay ahead.