It was an early rise at 7:33 am. I could detect a ribbon of sunlight bleeding through the thinnest edges of the blinds. I glanced at the exquisite scenery of Manhattan through the picture window of my top floor apartment. I took a deep breath, for a moment,appreciating the breathtaking mogul views. I had entered through to the balcony with the crisp winds slicing through at an exhilarating speed.

Today was of much importance, as it was my time to appoint a director for my new company named XF Corp. I had to get dressed and after some breakfast I left. Grabbing my keys and heading through the lobby, going down the elevator, I headed into my black SUV to meet my first contender at Madison square park.

Upon arrival, I met my first applicant, ‘John Victor Calvin Morrison’. He had an elegant dress sense, and described himself as, ‘positive,innovative and tenacious’.We walked over to a restaurant nearby.’Eleven Madison’, it was a very well known restaurant renowned for its fine food with an exquisite setting on the fourth floor overlooking the city. As we walked he spoke to me about his life at Harvard and Stanford and his shocking story about how he was abandoned by his parents at the age of five.

We were nearing our destination, the atmosphere had changed, everything seemed to be brighter, the clouds had cleared and the aroma was of brewed coffee. I had told John about how I had started my first business at the age of 24 and how I had lead my company on to the stock exchange.

We had reached our destination and took the elevator to the fourth floor. We could see how lunch on the 4th floor was a necessity. The restaurant had a picturesque,rustic appearance which was lit by 2 spotlights on each table overlooking the rest of the city.

 

I had asked for the 11:45am booking for two near the window table. We had been led to our table by a uniformed waitress who had provided menu’s. As we had taken our seats, I opted for a mushroom and lentil soup followed by a medium rare chargrilled chicken steak with chips and orange juice. John had chosen a simple salmon sandwich with tea. As we waited, I had asked for John for a history of his past employers and If he had ever been sacked or held a admin role in a corporation. He took a sip of his tea and answered  clearly and composed,’I have not held any admin roles’. I felt as though he lacked any fire and need for the role.

I had reached for my briefcase to reach my invention and blueprints and I elucidated how this semiconductor chip could revolutionise life in the next 5 years. He started tapping and looked side to side, a shroud of nervousness had entered the calm environment.  Midway through our conversation, I felt a rattle, a sonic boom and then a large sound pierced through my eardrums, time seemed to have paused, the bright light of Manhattan had become blurred, suddenly,three men dressed in distinct black clothing covered with balaclavas armed with weapons had stormed in. I tried desperately to grip the table and reach my belongings but, I was in shock to notice that my belongings were not visible, I vigorously tried to clear my vision to reacquire my most prized possession but it obvious that it was not there. A couple of seconds later there was a high presence of police and the road had been closed off to the rest of the public. I had been approached by a senior officer who had told me Manhattan was on high alert because a maniac had broken out of prison and a nationwide manhunt had been launched. After questioning, I was finally allowed to leave.As I left the restaurant, I could see the shattered window, bullet holes on the walls and how the restaurant had been totally destroyed. I exited on to the street and could see how it was pouring down with rain. The street was completely empty, armed guards stood to both sides of the crime scene.

 

I was at home, when I received a call from an unknown number, I had answered cautiously, ‘Hello’ said a deep voice. I replied, ‘Who Is this’. He then hung up. Sleep had not come easily for me that night, for my greatest invention had been stolen and I was in fear that my invention would be handled incorrectly.

The night had passed and I had woken up in fear. I went on to the balcony and could see that it was an opaque day and the streets were virtually empty. I needed to do something, bring this maniac to justice. I had an idea, it would solve all problems, but it meant the death of John. The day had passed with me in front of the television and my phone lying on the couch. I was inclined to call Damien.