The early morning sun filtered through the narrow square window, casting intermittent flickers of light across the confined space.
Within its walls, only a single bed, a compact closet, and a modest study table found their place.
Tap! Tap! Tap!
The room resonated with the rhythmic percussion of a computer keyboard, as a man donned in crisp white pajamas hammered away with unyielding resolve, his eyes reflecting unwavering determination.
"What am I missing?" the man murmured, removing his small eyeglasses, his bloodshot eyes rimmed with dark, weary bags. He pondered, "I keep encountering the same failed outcome, even after laboring through the night."
"Once more, I shall attempt a fresh code," he resolved, placing his glasses back on, his gaze fixed firmly upon the computer screen.
Before him, a cascade of numbers and letters danced, metamorphosing with each keystroke.
After minutes of fervent typing, the alphanumeric cascade transformed, now displaying a progress bar with a countdown.
[5 hours for the extraction to be completed]
'Same vexing outcome! I cannot squander five hours of my day only to meet with failure once more,' he ruminated, vexed by the recurring outcome that had plagued him for months.
Every time he believed himself on the cusp of achievement, the same 'Extraction process' ensued, culminating in 'Failed to extract.'
He rose from his workstation, making his way into the narrow bathroom.
A brisk shower and swift dressing followed.
Moments later, he emerged, clad in a blue uniform, complemented by black trousers and stout black boots.
'Darn it, I'm late, yet again!' he fumed inwardly, hastening from the snug quarters.
****
Edward Morgan, a 23-year-old, emerged from a crucible of poverty.
Discovered on Brickwoods' streets as a babe by Sheila Forbes, her compassionate heart led her to adopt him into their family.
Mr. Forbes harbored misgivings about his wife's altruistic act, acutely aware of their straitened circumstances.
Edward's proficiency in technology bestowed upon him a unique gift - mending and restoring battered electronics that littered their home.
In turn, Mr. Forbes treated the boy with unspeakable cruelty, relegating him to a subhuman existence, while showering his biological children with love and respect.
The envy stemming from Edward's gift, in stark contrast to his own offspring's lack thereof, fueled Mr. Forbes' animosity.
Sending Edward to a modest boarding school beyond Brickwoods' borders, Mr. Forbes, in ostensible benevolence, claimed to cherish the boy's education.
In reality, it was a ploy to banish him from their home forever.
Observing Mr. Forbes' true motives, Edward acceded to his father's wishes, severing ties and setting forth into the world.
Through sundry odd jobs, Edward managed to secure a one-room sanctuary he could call his own.
Edward tried his best to fit in and feel among,but still ended up getting isolated because of his poor background.
Edward was tossed around like a rag doll by his peers,but there was nothing he could do other than comply.
The only person who gave him attention was a girl named,Kate Sinclair. Kate also came from a poor background like Edward and had no one by her side. Until she met Edward.
Edward and Kate spent time together and share the little they had together,but Edward could see in her eyes that she wasn't satisfied by the little he gave her and he needed to go extra length to make her happy.
Two years elapsed, punctuated by toil in bars, malls, and eateries, culminating in the acquisition of a computer - the linchpin to his hacking odyssey.
Edward deployed his technological acumen to infiltrate bank accounts, diverting funds to his own coffers.
These ill-gotten gains sustained him, staving off want and sheltering him from the vicissitudes of life.
Yet, $5 and $20, gleaned weekly from his neighbors' accounts, proved insufficient to fulfill his desires and those of his newfound paramour.
Hence, a quest was born - not to pilfer his destitute neighbors, but to infiltrate the coffers of Brickwoods' magnates.
The spoils, if won, would afford him the means to dote upon his beloved and showcase his transformation from penniless wretch to prosperous paragon.
Months passed, yet success eluded him. The formidable fortifications guarding these accounts dashed his illusions, cementing the cruel reality - destiny consigned him to perennial penury.
****
Arriving at the towering edifice teeming with bustling denizens, Edward encountered a fellow guard, a bald-headed compatriot attired in the same uniform.
"Dude, where've you been?" the guard queried, his voice a curious blend of concern and camaraderie. "I covered for you, as usual."
Edward, still catching his breath, managed a reply, "I lacked the funds for public transport, so I ran all the way."
"Don't sweat it," his comrade reassured, before resuming his post.
Edward adjusted his uniform, poised at the entrance.
For Edward, serving as a security guard in a bustling mall was a bittersweet experience.
He encountered faces from his past - all now ensconced in wealth and privilege - while he toiled tirelessly, relegated to the role of a common sentry.
Surveying the entrance, his eyes locked onto a sleek, obsidian Mercedes Benz, its windows darkened. Recognition struck swiftly.
"The scoundrel's back," he seethed internally, casting envious glances at the opulent vehicle and its owner.
smooth, polished surface reflects light, giving it a glossy appearance. The dark hue adds a touch of sophistication, emphasizing its refined design.
The Mercedes-Benz logo, a symbol of quality and prestige, is likely prominently displayed on the front grille.
Overall, it exudes an air of class and luxury, making it a statement piece on the road.
The driver's door swung open, revealing a striking young man. Ebony hair framed a chiseled visage, draped in a jet-black suit, pants, and gleaming shoes. Malcom Munrow.
Brickwoods' Vice Mayor's progeny. Edward's gaze shifted to the passenger side, where he glimpsed a shapely leg clad in crimson stilettos.
As the lady emerged, her identity was laid bare - Kate, his girlfriend.
The same woman for whom he toiled ceaselessly, day after day. Bitterness surged, his blood simmering with impotent rage.
There was naught he could do, for how could he hope to vie with the Mayor's scion? Kate sauntered past him, seemingly oblivious, her arm entwined with Malcom's.
Fists clenched, tears welled in Edward's eyes.
'How long must I bear this indignity? Poverty is not my fault; I am no indolent wretch.'
'Perhaps God reserves His bounty for the affluent, for He has never heeded my pleas,' Edward reflected, the indifference in her eyes piercing him like a blade.
***
At 9:54 pm, Edward returned to his diminutive abode, wearied and spent from the day's toil.
Collapsing onto the bed, he sought solace in slumber, hoping to dull the gnawing hunger in his belly.
Ding*
A shrill chime emanated from his pocket, jolting him from the edge of reprieve.
'I've finished my shift. Why are they messaging me?' Edward mused, retrieving his phone from his pocket.
As his eyes scanned the screen, his jaw plummeted in disbelief.
[Transfer successful]
[Your account has been credited with 750,000,000,000,000]
Edward's eyes widened in sheer disbelief upon reading the message.
He rubbed his eyes in astonishment, as if to ensure he wasn't caught in some fantastical reverie.
"750 trillion dollars?" he mused aloud, his countenance a curious blend of surprise and elation.
Urgency surged within him, propelling him from his bed to the waiting computer.
"It worked?" Edward marveled, his eyes agog. Leaving the computer powered, he watched as the extraction process culminated, initiating a subsequent transfer.
"I can scarcely believe it. I've finally succeeded," he contemplated, his fingers dancing across the keyboard to fortify the newfound wealth against potential reversals from its enigmatic source.
In truth, Edward remained ignorant of whose Bank he'd endeavored to infiltrate over the course of months.
He'd taken aim at the affluent of Brickwoods, hoping to breach their impregnable accounts.
"Perhaps my enthusiasm has carried me away. Is it even real?" Edward muttered, his gaze once more drawn to the luminous screen, absorbing the message anew.
With a swift motion, Edward retrieved a black hoodie from his closet, donning it before venturing out, ATM card in hand.
***
The night, now dark and foreboding, was an inhospitable domain for the denizens of Brickwoods.
Danger lurked, with gangs and thugs exploiting the shroud of darkness.
Many of these malevolent groups were underwritten by the city's wealthy, employing them for nefarious deeds.
For some, this offered an enticing escape from hardship, lured by the promise of handsome rewards.
Edward, however, refused to tread such treacherous paths.
The allure of a gang's spoils couldn't eclipse the perils it entailed.
Silent streets bore witness to Edward's passage, his jet-black hair obscured by the concealing hood.
He remained vigilant, ever watchful for signs of lurking danger.
After a brief journey, Edward arrived before an ATM, nestled beside a raucous nightclub.
Thumping music and revelry emanated from within, attesting to the presence of numerous gang members. Time was of the essence.
Sliding his card into the machine, Edward pressed the buttons thoughtfully.
"Let's try... one dollar."
[Transaction approved]
The notification flashed on the screen, and a single dollar emerged with his card.
Edward collected it, his gaze fixed upon the modest note as if it held the key to a lifetime of liberation.
Ding*
[Debit alert: 1$]
[Balance: 74,999,999,999,999]
The message illuminated Edward's screen, solidifying the reality of his newfound affluence.
He was rich beyond imagining.
"The original owner was surely no saint," he surmised, rationalizing his actions. "I needn't harbor remorse. It's time to live as a man of means."
Slipping the dollar into his pocket, he prepared to depart.
"Why would the boss summon us so urgently?" a deep voice rumbled from behind.
Edward turned, his heart pounding, only to confront six hulking figures, clad in red singlets and adorned with crimson bandanas. Tattoos etched their skin.
"I don't know, but he sounded urgent on the phone," another replied, exhaling a plume of smoke.
"Perhaps he requires us for a... special task."
Edward concealed himself behind a nearby car, stifling his breath to evade detection.
The footsteps grew louder, drawing nearer. Peering cautiously, Edward spotted the gang members entering the very car that provided his concealment.
"Hey, who are you?!" one of them barked, fixing his gaze on Edward.
Panic surged, and Edward sprinted from his hiding place.
"Get him!" the command rang out, followed by the revving of an engine. They pursued him relentlessly.
"God, will I perish without savoring the fruits of my labor?" Edward ruminated, legs propelling him with all their might.
Edward's heart raced as he sprinted through the dimly lit streets, the pounding of his footsteps drowned out by the distant wail of sirens.
Behind him, the low growl of an engine rumbled, drawing closer with menacing intent.
The headlights of the pursuing car sliced through the night, casting long, ominous shadows that danced ahead of him.
The shouts and jeers of the relentless gang members echoed, a haunting chorus urging them onward.
Edward's breath came in ragged gasps, adrenaline coursing through his veins, as he pushed himself to outrun the impending danger, every step a desperate bid for escape.
He navigated a maze of twists and turns, but to no avail.
Bang* Bang*
The reports of gunfire echoed through the once-silent street, intensifying Edward's heartbeats to a deafening crescendo.
The bullets whizzed past him, clanging against metal.
Bang*
It was a staccato burst, like a thunderclap compressed into a split second.
The sound seemed to slice through the air, leaving an eerie resonance in its wake.
Fortunately, the bullet's path veered off course, sparing Edward from its deadly trajectory.
The echo of the gunshot lingered, a chilling reminder of the danger narrowly averted.
"Where did he go?" one gang member queried, astonishment etched across his face as he scanned the surroundings.
"We lost him. Let's go. The boss is waiting," another decided.
They retreated to their vehicle and sped away.
From a small, circular orifice, Edward extricated himself, his heart still pounding and breath ragged.
Edward's chest heaved with exertion as he crouched behind a weathered dumpster, hidden in the shadows.
His breath misted in the cool night air, eyes wide and alert, scanning the darkened street for any sign of movement.
The distant echoes of the gang's pursuit still lingered, but now only the hollow echo of silence remained.
Carefully, he strained his senses, listening for any telltale sounds of the retreating car engine or fading footsteps.
Each passing second seemed to stretch into an eternity, the weight of uncertainty pressing upon him.
With cautious hope, he began to believe that, just maybe, the gang had finally relented, leaving him alone in the quiet night.
"That was too close," he gasped, a trembling hand pressed against his chest.
Swiftly, he retraced his steps to the safety of his abode, mindful to avoid encountering his erstwhile "associates.".
Most gang around Brickwoods hated normal folks to see their faces.
They claim that once a person sees their face,the person would go to the cops and give them descriptions that could lead to theor arrest.
That's why they had to end anybody they crossed paths with.
Edward stood before his apartment building, a two-story structure with peeling paint and a worn environment.
Those unable to afford better in Brickwoods often settled for one-room apartments.
Climbing the worn steps, the echoes of his footsteps reverberated in the narrow stairwell.
His room was perched at the top floor.
Reaching his door, he deftly unlocked it and was about to step inside...
"Where have you been?" A female voice queried from behind.
Startled, Edward swiftly pivoted to see the speaker. It was Angela Alvarez, the daughter of a Brickwoods sheriff.
Though her appearance might suggest wealth, her family wasn't. Her father, working as a sheriff, had been saving up to cure his ailing wife.
"It's rather late, you know. This is when those dangerous gangs operate," Angela said, concern lacing her voice. "You could get hurt if you run into them, and even my dad won't be able to save you."
"Sure thing, mom," Edward retorted mockingly, but then quickly realized his mistake.
Mentioning 'mom' in front of Angela was insensitive.
Angela's expression shifted from concern to sadness.
"Good night," she said calmly as she retreated into her room.
Edward stared at her door, torn between knocking and apologizing or not bothering.
"I'll address it tomorrow," Edward decided, entering his room and shutting the door.
Seated at his workbench, he quickly resumed typing on his computer.
'I must transfer the money to my private account. The one I established myself,' Edward stated, adjusting his glasses as they slid down his nose, and continued typing with purpose.
'Those individuals will surely track their money. If I don't move it to my account, they'll eventually reclaim it,' Edward thought internally, his gaze fixed on the computer screen.
Different codes and numbers flickered with every keystroke.
(Are you certain you want to transfer $74,999,999,999,999 to Edflex Account?)
A smile stretched across Edward's face after reading the notification on his computer screen.
He quickly hit the 'Enter' button, and a progress bar materialized.
__________________
Transferring: 1%
------------------------
Edward removed his glasses, rubbing his eyes before placing them back on.
'I can't believe I became wealthy all of a sudden,' Edward mused, a grin lingering on his face.
The entire situation felt surreal; a poor boy like him had suddenly become a trillionaire.
All those months Edward had spent attempting to hack one of the rich men's accounts, he hadn't held high hopes of gaining more than a few thousand dollars.
He was aware the security guarding the accounts would halt large transfers, but here he was, able to secure 750 trillion without detection.
'I'll finally become someone other than my usual self,' Edward pondered as he lay down on his bed to sleep, leaving the computer powered on to complete the transfer.
****
Elsewhere in Brickwoods, a towering skyscraper stood, illuminated by modern designs and dazzling lights that encircled the building at night.
At the heart of the structure, a sign emblazoned with 'Interlect Bank' stood proudly.
The bank catered specifically to the upper echelons of Brickwoods.
Mafia lords and gang leaders often deposited their funds there for secure storage and to evade inquisitive law enforcement.
Inside, individuals clad in black suits were immersed in their work. Despite the lateness of the hour, they continued toiling, determined to avoid any mistakes that might enrage the crime lords.
"Mary, are you okay?" A man inquired, noticing his partner beside him, perspiring profusely, her expression one of deep concern.
"Earlier, a sum of money suddenly disappeared from our banking vault and was transferred to another bank," Mary explained, typing feverishly.
"What?!" The man exclaimed in shock. "And you said nothing?"
"I thought it was a minor issue since the destination bank was reputable, and I could simply reverse it," Mary clarified, her typing still hurried.
"But for a while now, I've been trying to reverse it, but the hacker managed to implement a robust security code."
"When I finally managed to bypass the security, the money was no longer in the account," Mary concluded.
The workers in the room began to murmur amongst themselves, expressions of disbelief and anger evident.
Mary, responsible for bank security, was meant to prevent situations like this.
"How much is missing?" The man asked, struggling to control his anger.
He understood the dire consequences they would face if even a single dollar were unaccounted for.
Mary remained silent, her gaze fixed on the floor.
"How much?!" The man demanded.
"750... trillion dollars," Mary stammered.
The entire room gasped in collective shock.
A woman among them collapsed to the floor, overwhelmed by the revelation.
"Haha, very funny, Mary," the man scoffed, assuming it was a prank.
"Pick up the phone and inform the lords of your mistake." He stormed out of the room, leaving Mary alone with her thoughts.
****
The morning sun ascended, its rays filtering through Edward's small window, casting a warm glow on his face.
Edward slowly opened his eyelids and sat up in bed, stretching and yawning.
Ensuring he was fully awake, Edward donned his glasses and rushed to his workbench to check his computer.
[Transaction completed]
That was the notification displayed boldly on the computer screen.
A grin spread across Edward's face as he read it.
He retrieved his phone and opened his bank app, the one he had created himself.
The app displayed his current balance, the same trillion from the previous night.
'I'm truly a bad, bad boy, haha,' Edward laughed aloud at his devious actions.
He felt no remorse for whoever might have owned the money; he assumed they had probably acquired it through illicit means.
'Now, how should I start spending?' Edward pondered, his hand on his chin, contemplating what to buy first or what business venture to pursue.
Numerous business ideas flooded Edward's mind, prompting him to jot them down on a piece of paper to ensure he wouldn't forget later.
'But wouldn't it seem suspicious to suddenly start spending so extravagantly? Everyone knows me as a common security man; they'd probably ask questions about where I got the cash. And who knows, they might link it back to the hacking, and the gangs could come after me,' Edward contemplated.