Behind The Mask : A Delusion

Chapter 1 Inception

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21st MARCH 2014

CENTER FOR ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE & ROBOTICS, BANGALORE

7:45 P.M.

Senior scientist Mr. Murthy was in his cabin and completely immersed in his project. He was searching for a breakthrough from a long time to spot the hurdle. He was seated in his chair and was constantly pondering over the notes as he knew the answers were hidden in them. He was not able to assemble the pieces of puzzle to come out of the maze. He knew he had to be calm and focus on the missing piece of the jigsaw to understand the path for coming out of the maze. He and his team had given everything for this highly ambitious project and he couldn't give up now when he was so close to finding the issue. Just then he received a call from his 'life', his daughter...

"Yes Kanna, I am leaving office in sometime and I promise I will drive safe. You please go for your classes and call me when you get free. Love you Kanna."

A smile donned on his face after speaking to Nandini and then he got back to his work. He was scanning his latest research document he had compiled a few weeks back and finally he spotted the issue. He somehow got an idea now and this brought an instant relief on his face. He knew this is what he was looking for months and hastily reached out for a pen and began to put all the pieces of puzzle together. Suddenly, the door outside creaked that made him freeze at his place. He dropped the pen and removed his reading glasses coz he knew the office had been closed with only him and the security guards.

7:58 P.M.

He got up from his chair to inspect through his one-sided glass hole in the door and he got an intuition that something was round the corner. His cabin had high security on its entrance and required his retina scan to open so he knew he could snip a few minutes now. He strolled swiftly to his desk and collected all his notes, files, and his hard disk that had the sensitive information and safeguarded them in an envelope. He quickly opened his drawer, which had the key for a hidden closet in his cabin that was camouflaged.

He knew that the clock was ticking with the speed of wind and he had just a few minutes if he wished to secure all the information. He hastily pushed the envelope inside the secret closet and sealed it. He picked up his car keys and his laptop and made his way out from his cabin towards the entrance of the building. He increased his pace and marched in the direction of the parking area.

8:05 P.M.

He looked around to find the guards been shot down and was horrified by the sight. Sweat beads appeared on his forehead and now he had every reason to panic. He ran from there towards his car and quickly got into it. However, his car didn't start and he banged the steering in haste and got down to find a taxi for himself while he was fiddling with his phone to contact the security office. He held his laptop close to his chest and started to run outside the building premises. He was looking around for help but couldn't find a single human for his rescue.

He could now feel the shadows luring behind him and while running he turned back only to find the danger right behind him. Mr. Murthy screamed after his left leg was shot and he stumbled on the road. His laptop went in a flash and crashed a few meters away. He was now crawling on the road while the shadows aimed their gun at him again.

...

9th APRIL 2016

11:30 P.M., MUMBAI