The Office
Copyright © 2021 by L. Morthor.

All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously.

Any resemblance to locales, organizations, events, business establishments, or actual persons---living or dead--- is entirely coincidental.

DISCLAIMER: This one shot story is written in English. This is my official entry for the Halloween Vault 2021.

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The Office

A loud buzz woke me from my reverie as I stare despondently into the void. I held on to the icy metal pole at the side as I reached for my phone inside my coat. I feel the soft thrumming of the engines below my feet. The commute from the subway had been my daily routine for more than six months. My thoughts traveled to Raven's Crest. I used to despise Mondays when I was living there. The ride was rough and jam-packed opposite to my experience here in Metropolis Point. I never had trouble finding a seat. And the best part is I'm fifteen minutes away from the office.

As soon as I saw the name from the screen notification, I put it back. It buzzed irritatingly for the second time and I decided to ignore the message from my co-worker, Ruby "Busybody" Welsh, the company gossip who happens to be my subordinate, whose main function is to liaise with different departments, a.k.a "The Intel". I don't give a shit if her dinner with Andrew "McSleazy" McIntyre (another co-worker) went south (like I hoped) or if her dog, Mitzie, a Bichon Frise, pooped rainbows or if she thinks people who shop at Target and Ikea have no taste.

There's too much on my plate right now and I should be preparing for our presentation for the newest ad launch for the new drug tomorrow. I had been preparing it for weeks and I just don't have the luxury to be "informed" of the newest gossips and who's dating who (more like who's screwing who) at my new job. I glanced outside and see tiny droplets forming at the train cabin's window.

Ominous clouds had formed and soft drizzle continuously sprayed outside the train and the whole Metropolis. I peek at my bag and realize I had forgotten to bring my umbrella and the chicken and pepperoni sandwich I prepared for lunch. I rolled my eyes at my forgetfulness. I glanced at my watch. I'm five minutes away from my workplace. This is typically how my mornings start.

Except for the rain.

I hate it when it rains. The air is unusually chilly. I have a feeling that this isn't a good sign.

And I'm usually right.

I got off the platform and made my way upstairs. I was met with a crowd of people scurrying away from the rain. I held my black satchel on top of my head and run towards the familiar, white, colossal, building ahead.

I remember it was my first job after spending two years in the land of the jobless. I was so excited when I got approved for the interview. I thought it was strange to work for such a hotshot pharmaceutical company that develops a cure for the incurable like Cancer, Alzheimer's, AIDS, etc.. without me having the proper credentials but what do I have to lose, right? They called me a week after informing me that I've passed the screening and interview and asked me to come at the soonest. I was eager and ecstatic to sign the job contract with them. The pay was better than I can imagine. It was like landing your dream job. Except, this is real. I don't do much aside from the typing and manual calculations and some revisions in the Accounting Department where I was assigned at first. But after six months, I was moved to a different department and was given an administrative role in the Marketing team.

Like I said, dream job.

I ran towards the building and matted my wet coat. I see the huge closed sign at the glass door. I checked my watch. It's eight o' five in the morning. Strange. The office usually opens at seven-thirty. Sheila, the receptionist, Bill, the custodian, and Trevor, the security officer should be here by now. The lights are off and the whole floor is dark. I moved closer to the glass window and tried to peek inside but I didn't see a soul. I grabbed the door handle but it is locked. I took my phone from my wet coat about to dial Ruby's number when I saw another notification from my email.

KRAKBOOOOM!!

I almost dropped my phone from the loud bang of the thunder. My hands feel cold and wet from the rain. I opened my mail and see the message inside.

No. No. No. The hell? This is a joke, right? They can't be serious.

***

______________________________________
Curoxin Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
to bcc: me
______________________________________
Subject: EMPLOYEE WORK FROM HOME NOTICE
______________________________________
Date: October 14, 2025
From: Edward Collier, CEO
To: All Employees
Employee Department: Operations and Marketing Department, Accounting Department, Production and Planning Division

To All Employees,

This is to inform you that the company will conduct repair and maintenance on the utility units of the building on October 15, 2025. Given the circumstances, we are limiting the number of people in the office to avoid inconveniences that may disrupt one's productivity. You are one of the individuals chosen to take part in this arrangement.

We have made the following available to you:
1 laptop
1 headset
Stable internet connection
1 laptop table for your convenience.

It is ensured that the equipment and data traffic are secured. You will use these things according to the instructions we gave you. You will ensure that everything remains secure and kept confidential. In the event of damage, for example, computer viruses, you must report as soon as possible. You are obliged to return the item to us upon first request.

Your daily salary rate, performance targets, and work schedule will remain unchanged for the entire duration of the work-from-home arrangement.

For questions and concerns, you may email me at [email protected].

Respectfully,

Edward Collier, CEO
Curoxin Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Date: October 14, 2025
______________________________________

Is this a joke? Are you kidding me?

What the hell is going on?

I dialed Ruby's number over and over again but I keep ending up on her answering machine.

Why wasn't I informed earlier?

Why did I only receive the mail today?

I dialed the department head office but no one was answering. Am I the only one who didn't know anything about this arrangement? Nobody said anything about it last Friday and it's too uncalled for to make last-minute announcements like this. Especially with a new project going on. But what can I do? It's not like I own the company. The only thing I'm thinking about is our launch tomorrow. I'm not sure if they will still push through regardless of their employees' situation.

Shoot! Speaking of which, what about the launch tomorrow? I need to have a backup plan.

The rain slams harder at my face. Droplets of water trickle down my hair and neck reaching the plain white oversized shirt I'm wearing beneath my coat. I had no choice but to take refuge at the subway. It is raining hard and nobody's answering my calls from outside the building. I still cannot reach anyone from the Marketing team.

"Unbelievable!" I muttered.

"Call me as soon as you get this! ASAP!" I messaged Ruby as I entered the train.

When I reached my apartment, I saw a huge box outside my door addressed to my name and a familiar logo of our company.

"Must be the laptop and other stuff from the company. What time did they arrive here, though? I was out for like thirty-five minutes and I didn't see anyone from the company dropping this off." I wondered.

I hurriedly went inside and place the huge box near my bed and changed my wet clothes. I opened the box and found a checklist on top of the styrofoam. It says I have to confirm that the package I received is complete and in good condition.

"Melanie Smith. Great. Everything is complete. Thank you." I sent the message to the number indicated on the checklist along with my name as instructed.

I set up the laptop table and the equipment and logged in for my daily attendance. I emailed Ruby hoping she'd finally reply. I also sent a couple of other inquiries to our boss, Edward Collier. A few minutes later, a call popped up at the lower right portion of the screen. I clicked the accept button and my front camera opened simultaneously with the caller. I look closer at my screen and saw an executive chair, a painting hanging at the pristine white wall. At first, I thought it was wallpaper. Then I realized it looks like a room.

Specifically, my boss's conference room.

I froze when the camera moved.

Then I shriek.

Because someone who isn't my boss is staring right at me.

***

Aaaaaah!!

My scream was drowned by the deafeningly loud crack of thunder. The lights went out and the laptop died.

Wait! What was that?

I'm pretty sure I saw them. My coworkers sitting in the conference room. And then for a split second, I saw something else. I saw Ruby and the rest of them in the background. Sitting completely still.

Their faces. What happened to their faces?

Their bodies melting down into a thick sludge.

I scream.

Acid rose to my throat. My heart was pounding and my mind went completely blank.

Deep breaths. Take slow, deep breaths. I ordered myself.

Am I dreaming? Was I imagining things? I tried to swallow but my throat felt sandy. My head throbbed. I shrugged it off.

Time to take your pills. I reminded myself. Plus, you need to focus on tomorrow's presentation. It's better to be prepared even if the launch gets canceled than not being prepared at all. After all, there's no announcement that we are canceling the launch tomorrow. If I have learned anything from our company, it's business as usual. The sick won't wait for the storm to pass to have the cure. And maintenance and repairs won't save the sick.

I grabbed my bag and reached for the small orange plastic bottle inside. I took two pills inside. I held on to the bottle and took deep breaths until I felt calm. Minutes later, the lights went back. I stared outside the window. Grey and heavy clouds are swirling above the Metropolis. Looks like a storm is coming. This isn't good. I connect the laptop to its charger and turned it on to make sure everything is working fine.

Ring! Ring!

I almost leaped at the sound of my phone.

A message from Ruby. Finally!

I opened the message labeled as forwarded and it says that we are having a video conference at nine-thirty-five am sharp with one of our clients and below the message is a link I need to join the video conference.

"Hey, I got the message. Where are you? I thought I saw you in the conference room with the others. Are you guys in the office? Why aren't you responding to my calls? I can't reach any of you. If you see this message, please call me ASAP." I hit reply.

The lights in my small room starts to flicker and for the second time, the lights went out. It's eight-forty-five in the morning but it looks like the sun had just set.

This is bad. I check my phone. No response from Ruby or anyone in the company.

"Damn it!" I slammed my fist at the wall beside me.

It is getting darker outside. Like a huge blanket covered the whole downtown Metropolis. I let out a sigh. I never thought my week would start this shitty because of the rain. I went back to my room and lit a candle inside. I placed it near my bedside table and my room was instantly illuminated.

"This will have to do until the lights come back," I muttered, frustratingly.

I opened the laptop and sent the message I received from Ruby to my email. It's nine-thirteen. I clicked on the link and waited for a minute before I got in. The screen keeps on freezing. I check my internet connection but everything is fine. A familiar face showed up on the screen.

"Mel!...where...y-ou?!" Ruby asked.

"Oh! Thank goodness! Finally! I'm at the apartment. Where are you? Are you in the office? What's happening? Did you receive any of my messages?" I felt relieved to finally see my co-workers. I saw Andrew and a couple of others waving at me in the background.

"W--ere...here. Sig--nal....weak be--cause...of...the storm...C--an you ear me? --didn't receive any m--ssage...from...you." Ruby replied. Her voice was static and I was listening eagerly, trying to make out the words she said.

"This is no good. I'm coming over. You're at the office, right? I thought were supposed to be working at home starting today? Didn't you guys receive the memo? When I arrived earlier, the office was closed. How did you get in? What's going on? Wait for me. I'll be there in thirty minutes."

"Mel? C--an you...hear me? Who--s...that?"

"Who's what?" I asked.

"Behind you." Her eyes are wide. It was an expression I have never seen on her face before— absolute terror.

I'm aware that I am alone in my room. But my heart kept pounding. I can hear my ragged breathing as I slowly turn around.

Nothing.

Then I turned back and the screen went blank.

***

I gasped. I can't breathe. The candle by the bedside table flickers. I jumped out of my bed and grabbed my coat and things. I don't care if it's the end of the world outside. I need to get out of here.

"Goin' somewhere, Mel?"

I was near the entrance of the apartment complex when I heard my friendly neighbor's voice.

"Tyler, Hi. Um, yeah, I forgot something at the office and I'm coming to pick it up."

"In this kind of weather? Are you serious?"

I just stared at him and he held both hands up. "I doubt you could get a ride in this storm. You ride at the subway, right? Operations were canceled two minutes ago. And now I'm supposed to pick up my sister near Metropolis Point." He said.

"Right! Yeah! I remember she works at the bank near our office. It's only nine. Are they suspending work?"

"Yeah. They're evacuating employees right now. Something about a leak from a building. I'm not sure where. The signal is bad out there. I could hardly make out what she said. Seems like this storm is huge enough to interfere with the reception."

I paused. Something bothers me and I can't quite pinpoint what it is. I'm still trying to shake off the weird 'Who's-that-behind-you' from Ruby. I'm pretty sure she's just messing with me and I have a feeling that her date with Andrew not turning out how she had hoped it would be is the center of it. Andrew and I have known each other since I started. I have to admit there were times we were a little bit more friendly with each other than we're supposed to.

Then I remember the email I got this morning about the maintenance repair of a unit in our building. If there had been a leak, it is protocol to evacuate everyone in the building. But I just talked to Ruby. They're at the office. I just saw everyone in the Marketing department inside the conference room. The leak must have been from another building. After all, Metropolis Point is a huge business district. 'THE' business district.

"Hey, I can give you a ride if you want?" he offered.

"Thank you so much, Ty. You are an angel." I accepted without hesitation.

The wind blew hard as the rain continued to hit the ground. The road was empty and the wind howled against Tyler's Jeep. We reached our destination and I was a little puzzled why the road was so empty. If there had been a leak like Ty's sister said, they would have dispatched the fire department, there would have been sirens all over the place but the road was awfully quiet. I glanced at my watch. It's almost nine-thirty. I had no time to worry about it. I thanked Tyler and ran towards the building.

The rain hit me like a stone. I feel my body battered with bruises. I had to squint my eyes to see the entrance of the building. The road is covered in fog. The wind seemed to protest and whisper something in my ears. I hugged my body tightly against the cold. My nose felt frozen and about to fall off. I see light inside the building. The door by the entrance is wide open. I don't see anyone inside.

Was I dreaming the whole time? Was it really open? I'm extremely puzzled at the moment. I was just standing here an hour ago and it was closed. I had to pinch myself to make sure this is real and when I felt pain, I was relieved. I ignored everything and reminded myself why I am here. I need to focus.

Clock's ticking.

And I have to get some important files from the office.

I went inside the elevator and pressed seven. Our building had nine floors. Seven is where the Marketing team is. It is a bit strange that Ruby and our Marketing Team are still here if we were already arranged to have a work-at-home setup. It is strange to find the entrance door open with no one inside. I look at the numbers above as the elevator went up. I was ready to come out when I reached the seventh floor. I kept pushing the open button but it didn't stop until we reached the ninth floor where the CEO's office is at.

The doors opened and I saw a light across the end of the hall. That is where the conference room is. That's where I saw Ruby and my coworkers. Maybe this is where we're supposed to do the video conference with the clients. I was about to enter the room when my phone buzzed like crazy. It is nine-thirty and our conference would start in five minutes. I turned off my phone and put it back in my bag. I can hear my coworkers talking inside. I see their shadows from the stained glass windows from outside. I stepped forward, grabbed the knob, and pushed the door open.

Thunder clapped.

You can just imagine the horror in my eyes when I saw nobody inside the room.

***

My feet were cemented to the white tiled floor. My mouth was wide open and in utter shock when I saw the painting hanging on the white wall. I was reminded of what I saw on the laptop screen earlier in my room.

I ran outside the conference room and used the emergency exit till I reached the seventh floor where my office is. My head feels woozy. My eyes were dry and blurry. The whole building felt cold and empty as the thunder continued to roar outside.

I catch my breath and held on to the cold white wall to steady myself. I held on to my bag and looked for the small orange bottle inside.

Shit. I forgot to put it back.

What in the world just happened?

I breathe deeply and tried to calm myself down. I just need to get some of the files I left last Friday and I'm heading out.

As quickly as possible.

I held on to the doorknob and pushed the emergency exit door of the seventh floor wide open. I walked carefully, afraid as if someone's gonna hear my footsteps. Or worse, someone's gonna jump right in front of me.

The lights were off.

I made my way to our office and what I saw was utter horror.

They were here. Sitting by their cubicles. Like it was just another day at work.

Except no one was moving because all of them are dead.

No. No. No.

This isn't real.

"Oh, God! No!" I scream.

Their faces. Just like what I saw earlier. Their bodies were melting into a thick black sludge.

"Mel? What are you doing here?" I jumped at the familiar voice from my behind. It was Ruby.

I turned around and see her face disfigured. Melting away like the others. Her body contorted and twisted in a sick way.

"Aaaaaah! Don't come any closer! Oh god, no!" I said as she tried to reach me. My knees were jelly and my feet were frozen solid but I mustered every strength to move them and make them function again.

"Mel? What's the matter? What's happening to your face?" she asked before her face completely melted like wax.

I touched my face then I saw my hands starting to redden. I rolled my coat upwards and saw my arms covered in reddish-purple bruises darkening by the second. I felt a trickle beneath my nose and when I wiped it, I saw blood. My head is dizzy. I can hardly breathe. I gasped for air as I stumbled to the cold tiled floor.

Whatever happened to them is happening to me.

I need to get out of here as soon as I can if I want to make it out alive.

I grasped at the nearest chair I could hold onto and helped myself up. I ran towards the emergency exit and when I opened the door, our boss, Edward Collier, was there.

"You need to calm down, Mel." He said. It was the last thing I heard before I passed out.

Maybe it was the last face I get to see alive. Boy, I hate it when I'm right.

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Days Later

"Is she awake?" a male voice asked.

"Still unresponsive, but I believe she can hear you." said a familiar female voice.

'I am here. I can hear you. Why can't you hear me?!' I scream at them.

"How long was she out? No. How long does she have?" the familiar male voice asked. A picture in my head popped up. It was Edward's voice.

Then I remember, he was the last person I saw. It was strange to see him wearing a white coat. He always wore business clothes since he's the boss. I thought white coats were for doctors.

"A week or a day. She won't last long. The cancer cells had already spread to the body and had further metastasized to the brain. The drug didn't work. I'm so sorry, Edward. We need to prepare her family." Said the female voice which I believe belongs to Ruby.

"What about Andrew? What's his stat?" Edward asked.

"He didn't make it. Nobody else did. It was only her who survived the third part of the trial." Ruby said.

'Wait, what? I have cancer? Trial? Are they talking about me? Oh. My. God. The orange bottle! The pills I'm taking! So, that explains the headaches, forgetfulness, hallucinations? No. No. No. This is all a nightmare! If this is a nightmare, I wanna wake up now, please!' I pleaded but nothing happened.

Then I heard strange beeping noises. Edward and Ruby's voices are both in panic mode.

Then everything went dark and silent.

THE END.