The sound of computer keys being struck rapidly filled the air; the woman's eyes followed the words as they filled the blank page on the brightly lit screen. The woman, or Amara Parque as she was known, licked her lips in excitement. Everything she had worked for in life, her one main goal, might be reached in a few simple keystrokes. Finally, the clicking stopped.
Parque leaned back in her chair, a flash drive clutched in her hand. She squeezed the flash drive in her hand. At the moment, it wasn't just a piece of equipment, it was her entire life's work. "I did it," a lump formed in throat and she felt herself choking back tears, " I... I really did it."
"Congratulations."
Parque's back stiffened and she instinctively clutched the flash drive protectively, "Wh-who's there?" She continued to stare at the computer screen, to terrified to turn around. After a few moments pause, laughter filled the room. She shuddered, her shoulders beginning to tremble. "Please, i-if you want money, I-"
"I don't want your money."
These words did nothing to comfort her, her voice shook as she spoke, "Then what do you want?" It was a question she had a feeling she didn't want answered. The intruder didn't answer straight away. The silence almost seemed to echo across the basement walls.
"Your life," the answer was so blunt and casually put, but terrifying all the same. Parque bit her lip, her eyes shut tight, not even daring to move.
Another few moments of silence was interrupted by the sound of pouring liquid. Slowly and cautiously, she worked up the courage to turn her head. The intrudor's back was toward her, they were leaning over a large metal basin. Had she really been so focused on her work, that she didn't even notice someone carrying something that large into the room? For that matter, how long had they been in the room with her?
These thoughts were vanquished when she saw exactly what they were pouring into the basin. A large bottle of bleach lay on the floor at the intrudor's feet, who was currently pouring a bottle of what Parque could only assume was ammonia. She felt another lump swell in her throat, only for a different reason this time.
Her eyes flickered across the room, noting the distinct lack of windows. She looked forward, the open door was only a few feet away. Her heart skipped a beat, a glimmer of hope entered her mind. Her legs shook as she stood up, her feet felt like they were made of lead. She only had one shot at this. Inhaling deeply, flash drive still in her hand, Parque bolted toward the door.
Her hope was unfortunately short lived. She had fallen face first onto the floor, the cause being a hand firmly grasping her ankle. Parque groaned in pain and tightly shut her eyes. She gasped out as a foot collided with her stomach. She heard a door click shut behind her.
Writhing on the floor she fought to get up. The gas from the chemical mixture was starting to spread. Struggling to her feet, she managed her way over to the door. A hacking cough left her throat as the gas entered her lungs. Parque easily swung the door open, surprised at how easy it was to escape. Legs trembling, she slowly made her way up the stairs.
She quickly noticed the feet of her would be murderer at the top step, as if they had been waiting for her. Waiting to finish her off. Parque shook her head, no, she would make this out alive. Fist clenched and raised, she ran up the steps, fully prepared to punch the living daylights out of them. Just as her fist was inches away from the intrudor's face, she froze.
Her eyes locked with theirs, a look of awe crossing her face. She lowered her fist slowly, "Y-you... H-how could... I don't..." The intruder smirked coldly at her. Their foot collided with Parque's chest, causing her to tumble limply down the stairs.
As the chemical gas filled her body, Parque stared blankly at the ceiling in shock. Her body felt completely numb as she held the flash drive to her chest. The face of her murderer was the last thought in her mind.