Gabriel stood outside the building, staring up at the tall structure before him. The glass gleamed in the morning sun. A sleek, unfamiliar logo-an abstract triangle interwoven with a serpent-was etched on the front. Elegant, yet unsettling. He tilted his head, trying to place it. Nothing came to mind.

  Still, he entered.

  The inside looked like any high-end corporate office. White floors. Soft yellow lighting. Glass panels everywhere. Employees in suits passed by, greeting him politely. It almost made him feel underdressed in his faded jacket and jeans.

  "Good morning, sir." The receptionist was a woman with a sharp bob cut and a brighter smile. Her voice was warm but mechanical. "Please wait at the lobby, sir."

  Upon arrival at the lobby, he saw another man waiting. The guy wore a hoodie, glasses, and was playing his Nintendo Switch.

  Gabriel seated himself in front of him and was noticed by the man.

  "Hi, I... I... I am Drex. Did... did you receive an invita-ta-ta-tion email as... as well?" the man stuttered.

  "It wasn't through an email. I just picked it up along the road," Gabriel replied.

  "Ohhh. Mine is whe-when I tried to ac-ac-access a we-we-website, it prompted me to my... my... my email. Then I saw it on my in-b-b-bbox," Drex mentioned.

  Gabriel nodded and replied with a bit of confusion, "I see."

  The receptionist returned to the lobby and informed them they were now called to their respective interview rooms. She handed them a visitor's badge and gestured toward a frosted glass hallway.

  "I see you're having a conversation with another applicant. We will be appointing him as an IT if he passes the interview," the receptionist mentioned.

  Gabriel then asked what his role would be.

  The receptionist replied, "You will be a personal bodyguard of the CEO, if passed."

  He was led into a small, minimalistic room-one chair, one table, a large black mirror on the wall, and a soft hum of electricity. The room was cold, yet the seat was warm. Comforting.

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  "Someone will be with you shortly," the receptionist said with a smile before stepping out. The door clicked shut behind her.

  He sat in silence. Five minutes passed. Then ten.

  Suddenly, the lights dimmed, and a soft, gender-neutral voice echoed from hidden speakers.

  "Welcome, Mr. Gabriel Santos. Please confirm: do you accept the offer presented to you?"

  The voice was warm-almost friendly. Gabriel looked around, unsure where to speak.

  "Yes," he said hesitantly. "This feels... legit."

  "Excellent. Tell me about yourself, Gabriel."

  He hesitated. "I'm Gabriel Santos, 34 years old, live in Tondo, Manila. Former military man, Scout Ranger. Dismissed. Had a rough time. Trying to find something new. Something worth doing."

  A pause.

  "Interesting... But you forgot to mention something, Gabriel."

  "Ahmm... my previous rank was Executive Sergeant, team leader of a group in Mindanao. That's all of my previous experience, sir," Gabriel replied.

  "How about Arnold Dela Cruz, Gabriel? The civilian you shot dead."

  Gabriel froze.

  "I didn't do that. I'm still under trial," he replied firmly, his voice cold.

  "And your daughter-Sarah Santos-you weren't there for her recitals. Her 7th birthday. The school play. Why is that, Gabriel?"

  "What the hell is this?"

  "You also left your family. Your parents. Your siblings. You abandoned your role as the eldest just to chase a dream that ended in blood."

  His jaw clenched.

  "Or perhaps the child who saw how you shot his father, Alikasheed Jalani, a terrorist, in the head. Remember him?"

  Gabriel stood up, fists trembling. "That's operational. Who the fuck are you?!"

  "We know you, Gabriel. We know everything. That's why you're here. You are one of the few. And we believe... you can become something greater."

  The lights flickered. A faint hiss filled the room.

  Gabriel turned, saw mist leaking from vents.

  He bolted for the door. Locked.

  He looked through the window and saw the man he met at the lobby-Drex-being carried unconscious by what he earlier thought were employees.

  He punched the glass wall, again and again, but his arms felt heavier with each hit. His breath slowed. Muscles softened. His panic dulled.

  He staggered back, his vision warping. Through the blur, he saw the receptionist enter the room, now wearing a black coat, not her usual uniform.

  She crouched beside him, smiling softly.

  "Wrap up, guys," she said into a mic pinned to her collar. Then turned to Gabriel with one last grin. "Let's travel these motherfuckers."

  Darkness swallowed him whole.

  ---

  Gabriel woke up with a jolt, his head pounding like he'd been hit with a sledgehammer. Cold, rough concrete pressed against his back. A dim, sterile light flickered overhead.

  Beside him, a voice stammered.

  "Y-y-y-you're awake..."

  He turned his head and saw Drex sitting cross-legged, still clutching his Switch but no longer playing. His hoodie was smudged, glasses slightly cracked.

  "Where the hell are we, nerdy?" Gabriel groaned, sitting up.

  "I d-don't kn-know," Drex said, his voice shaking. "But I-I-I talked to a-a-another guy earlier. H-h-he s-said he g-g-got an invitation t-too. I-I-I think we've been... abducted."

  Gabriel clenched his jaw. "Shit... I fuckin' knew there was something off about that company."

  He looked around.

  They weren't alone.

  The room was massive-more like a bunker or an underground auditorium. Metal walls. No windows. Just one towering steel door that wouldn't budge, despite the people banging on it.

  There were dozens of others: men and women of different ages and nationalities. Some were pacing, others were yelling, fists pounding the metal. A few huddled together in prayer. Everyone looked confused. Terrified.

  Gabriel helped Drex to his feet just as the harsh lights above snapped off-only one spotlight remained, beaming onto a center stage at the front.

  A scratchy microphone screeched to life. Then a voice echoed:

  "Ahem... Ahem..."

  Silence fell across the room.

  "Everyoneeeeeeeeeeee!" the voice boomed theatrically.

  A man stepped into the spotlight-dressed in a pristine white suit, his grin wide and unnerving.

  "Welcome!"