MY CO-WORKER LEFT A NOTE IN MY DESK DRAWER — “DON’T TRUST HIM.”
I froze, the crumpled paper shaking in my hand, the faint scent of lavender ink making my stomach twist. My eyes darted to Mark’s office across the room, his door slightly ajar, the low hum of his voice on the phone barely audible. I’d always trusted him — he’d been my mentor since I started here six months ago.
“You okay? You look pale,” Sarah whispered, her hand brushing my shoulder. I nodded, but my mind was racing. Who wrote this? And who was I not supposed to trust? I tried to brush it off, but the words kept replaying in my head like a broken record.
Later, as I was packing up for the day, Mark cornered me by the elevator. “We need to talk,” he said, his voice calm but his eyes intense. “About the project. And… other things.” I nodded, my throat dry, the fluorescent light overhead flickering slightly.
The elevator doors dinged open, and he stepped in, glancing over his shoulder. “You’re being watched,” he said as the doors slid shut.
Then my phone buzzed — an unknown number. “Meet me in the parking lot. Now.”The parking lot was a cavern of shadows and silent cars. The air was thick with the metallic tang of rain that threatened to fall. Clutching my phone, I cautiously stepped out of the office building. My heart hammered against my ribs, a frantic drumbeat in the eerie quiet. The note, Mark’s cryptic words, the buzzing phone – they all coalesced into a knot of fear that tightened with each step.
A figure emerged from the darkness, leaning against a beat-up sedan, a silhouette against the dim glow of a distant street lamp. As they stepped into the light, I recognized Sarah. Relief, a weak and shaky emotion, washed over me.
“You got my message?” she asked, her voice low.
I nodded, unable to speak.
“It was me who left the note,” she confessed, pushing herself off the car. “And the phone call. I had to get your attention.”
“But… why?” I stammered. “Why wouldn’t I trust Mark?”
Sarah looked around, her gaze darting nervously. “Because… he’s not who you think he is. He’s been using you, manipulating you. He’s involved in something… dangerous.”
“Dangerous?” I echoed, the word a hollow whisper.
“I can’t tell you everything here,” she said, “He has eyes everywhere. But trust me, you need to get out of this. He’s after something, and you’re a piece of the puzzle.”
Suddenly, the headlights of a black SUV sliced through the darkness, heading straight for us. Sarah swore under her breath.
“Go! Now!” she yelled, shoving me towards the building.
I didn’t hesitate. I turned and ran, adrenaline flooding my veins. I heard the screech of tires as the SUV swerved, the thud of a car door slamming. I reached the entrance and slammed the door behind me, my hand shaking. The lobby was deserted, the security guard gone. I ran to the elevators and pressed the button frantically.
The doors opened, and standing inside, was Mark. His face was a mask of calm, his eyes, however, showed something unsettling.
“Where were you?” he asked. “I was just looking for you.”
I didn’t respond. I just pressed the button for the exit floor.
“You will be a great help to us” Mark continued.
The elevator doors closed slowly. As they slid shut, Mark pulled out a small, metallic device, and pressed a button.
The elevator stopped. The lights went out.
Then, the elevator doors opened.