The alarm rang at 6:30 a.m., sharp and unforgiving.
Joshey moved slightly beneath the sheets, dragging himself upright with a long yawn. He stretched, joints cracking faintly, before shuffling toward the bathroom.
The cold splash of water hit his face. He brought out his toothbrush and brushed his teeth thoroughly. Rinse. Then the shower — steam curling against the glass as he let the water run over him, washing away the residue of sleep. He wiped the mirror clean with his hand and glanced at his reflection — tired eyes, black strands of hair already untidy.
Back in his room, he checked his phone. Headlines scrolled by: global politics, a market dip, some breakthrough in renewable energy. Nothing unusual, nothing alarming. Just the world, as it always was.
He made a simple breakfast: two eggs, toast, and a cup of black coffee. The morning light drifted across the table as he ate quietly. Afterward, he got dressed for work — a clean shirt, polished shoes, and a neatly tied knot in his tie. A quick spray of cologne finished the routine. He picked up his phone and keys, slung his bag over his shoulder, and headed out the door.
He drove to his workplace at Omniva Tech Resources, the day unfolded as it always did. Joshey worked in Human Resources, specifically in global supply chain recruitment. His desk was lined with orderly stacks of resumes, an open laptop glowing with scheduled interviews. And today the target was Lagos, Nigeria.
He dialed numbers, his voice professional, calm, measured:
Joshey:
"Hello, this is Joshey calling from Omniva Tech Resources. Am I speaking with Mr. Adeyemi?"
Candidate:
"Yes, this is Adeyemi."
Joshey:
"Good afternoon, thank you for taking my call. I'd like to discuss your application for the Global Supply Chain Analyst position. Is now a good time to talk?"
Candidate:
"Yes, that's fine."
Joshey:
"Perfect. I'll just ask you a few quick questions to get a better sense of your background and interest in the role. Nothing too formal. Let's start with your experience — could you tell me a bit about your current position and how it relates to supply chain management?"
Candidate:
"Well, I'm currently working with a logistics company where I handle regional distribution, track shipments, and work closely with vendors…"
Joshey:
"I see. That's good exposure. Here at Omniva, the role involves working on international operations — we coordinate suppliers, warehouses, and clients across different time zones. Have you had experience working with global teams?"
Candidate:
"Not directly, but I've worked with partners across West Africa."
Jozay:
"Alright, that's still relevant. Now, in terms of tools — are you comfortable using ERP systems like SAP or Oracle?"
Candidate:
"I've used SAP for inventory tracking, but I'm still learning some of the advanced modules."
Joshey:
"Understood. We do provide training, but it's good to see you have the basics. Another quick one — how do you typically handle a supply chain disruption? Let's say a supplier misses a shipment deadline."
Candidate:
"Well, I usually try to communicate with the supplier immediately, confirm the cause of the delay, and then inform my manager while also checking if we can reroute from an alternate supplier."
Joshey:
"Good approach. Communication is key in those situations. Lastly, what made you interested in applying to Omniva Tech?"
Candidate:
"I admire how the company has expanded into global markets. I want to grow my career in an international setting, and this role seems like the right step."
Joshey:
"Alright, thank you for sharing that. I'll make a note here. At this stage, my role is just to gather information and pass it along to the hiring manager. If you're selected for the next stage, you'll be contacted for a formal interview. Do you have any questions for me before we wrap up?"
Candidate:
"Yes, I'd like to know more about the team size."
Joshey:
"Of course. The team is mid-sized — about twelve people spread across three regions. Collaboration is very important to us. Anything else?"
Candidate:
"No, that's all."
Joshey:
"Alright then. Thank you again for your time, Adeyemi. It was nice speaking with you. We'll be in touch soon. Have a great day."
Candidate:
"Thank you, you too."
He guided candidates through first calls, weighing words, gauging tones, deciding who might fit and who wouldn't. Between calls, he coordinated with managers, aligning calendars, balancing time zones across continents. To his colleagues, he was efficient. Reliable. Always composed.
The last call ended, and Joshey leaned back in his chair, rubbing the bridge of his nose. His headset clicked off, the hum of the office filling the silence.
"Long day?" a voice asked. It was Tunde from the next desk, peering over his monitor with a half-smile.
Joshey chuckled softly. "Feels like I've spoken to the entire population of Lagos today. Resumes, interviews, scheduling… repeat."
"Better you than me," Tunde said, shaking his head. "At least you don't have to deal with angry clients like the finance team."
Another colleague, Ada, walked past with a folder tucked under her arm. "Don't let him fool you, Joshey," she said. "You're the one we all rely on. If you ever take a vacation, this place will collapse."
Joshey raised an eyebrow, smirking. "Good to know my absence would cause total chaos. Maybe I should test that theory."
Ada laughed, waving him off. "Don't you dare."
He leaned back in his chair, exhaling. His shoulders ached from sitting too long. With a glance at the clock, he muttered, "I think I need a coffee before my brain stops working."
"Bring me one too," Tunde said, grinning.
Joshey shook his head and stood. "You'll survive."
With that, he loosened his tie slightly and made his way toward the break room
The small break room down the hall buzzed faintly with the whir of the machine.
"Taking a break?" a voice asked.
He turned to find Claire already there, stirring sugar into her cup. She was in marketing — always sharp with her reports, always friendly in the hallways.
"Yeah," Joshey said, pressing the button on the machine. "If I look at one more résumé, I might start hiring people just for having a nice font."
Claire laughed softly, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "Well, if you ever get tired of HR, you could always switch to design. Fonts are very underrated."
He smirked at the joke, waiting for his coffee. "I'll keep that in mind."
As the machine filled his cup, Claire watched him with a faint smile. She lingered just a second too long before sipping her drink, eyes following the way he adjusted his tie and leaned against the counter. Her words were casual, but her tone carried a warmth she didn't use with anyone else.
"So… any big plans after work?" she asked, trying to sound offhand.
"Not really. Just heading home, maybe catch a movie," Joshey replied. He blew on his coffee and took a careful sip, already half-thinking about the next call on his schedule.
Claire nodded, hiding the flicker of disappointment behind another sip. "Sounds relaxing."
He gave a polite smile, oblivious. "Enjoy the rest of your day, Claire."
"You too, Joshey," she said. Her voice was steady, but her eyes lingered on him even after he left the room.
When he returned to his desk, the office hum was the same, though the stack of résumés looked even taller than before. He placed his cup beside the keyboard, still warm, and slipped back into his chair.
"Didn't bring me one?" Tunde teased without looking up from his screen.
Joshey gave a half-smile. "Consider this character-building."
Ada chuckled from across the aisle. "Don't let him fool you, Tunde. He's just stingy."
He shook his head, taking another sip. "You two would starve without me, and now you'd blame me for thirst, too."
The lighthearted banter faded quickly as he put his headset back on, the next call already queued. Another candidate. Another measured conversation. The routine closed over him again, like the steady tide pulling back to sea.
By five o'clock, the office hum began to fade. Papers shuffled, chairs scraped against the floor. Joshey stood, adjusted his tie, and offered his usual polite smile.
"Good night," he said.
"See you tomorrow," came the replies.
He walked out into the fading light, the city carrying on around him, a river of noise and motion that seemed endless. Natural day in Lagos city
Joshey pulled his car into the street, the polished black sedan Gliding softly as it rolled to a stop. Even at night, the vehicle caught eyes — an expensive machine in a modest neighborhood. Children playing nearby slowed their games, staring until he parked.
He stepped out, jacket folded over his arm, and headed toward the small food stand just a few doors down. The aroma of fried chicken and stew drifted into the street, mixing with the faint smoke of roasted plantain from another corner.
"Ah, Mr. Joshey!" the food seller, Mama Ruth, greeted warmly the moment she saw him. She was already scooping rice into a plate. "Welcome, welcome. I was just saying it's been a while since you came by yourself. Hope work is treating you well?"
Joshey smiled politely, slipping his hands into his pockets. "Work is work. You know how it is. Just wanted something quick tonight."
"What will you eat?" she asked, leaning closer. "I still have chicken — big pieces — and small fried plantain on the side."
"Give me rice, plantain, and two pieces of chicken," he said, nodding.
She laughed knowingly as she packed the food. "You and this chicken! If I ever stop frying it, you'll stop buying from me, eh?"
Joshey chuckled. "You know me too well, Mama Ruth."
As she handed him the warm bag of food, he passed her a few notes. She held them against her chest, smiling. "May God continue to bless your hustle, my son. We like to see people from our street doing well."
"Thank you," he said, lifting the bag slightly. "See you tomorrow."
"Tomorrow," she echoed, waving as he walked back to his car.
The sedan's engine purred to life, headlights sweeping briefly across the narrow street before he pulled back into his compound. The warm weight of the food sat on the passenger seat, the smell filling the car, another ordinary evening in a life that looked — at least from the outside — complete.
The tires crunched lightly over the gravel as Josay pulled into the compound. The familiar metallic creak of the gate closing behind him echoed faintly in the evening air. He killed the engine, stepped out, and the sudden quiet pressed in around him.
Keys jingled in his hand as he walked up to the front door. He slid them into the lock with practiced ease, pushed the door open, and dropped the keyring onto the small wooden bowl by the entrance. It landed with a soft clatter — the sound that always told him he was home.
The house smelled faintly of cologne and furniture polish, still air holding the day's warmth. He slipped off his shoes neatly, setting them by the rack, and made his way toward the bathroom.
The second bath of the day was slower, almost indulgent. Warm water ran over his shoulders, carrying away the cling of the office. He closed his eyes for a moment, letting the steam soften the tension in his muscles. When he stepped out, he dried off calmly, tying the towel firm around his waist before changing into something casual — a plain t-shirt and loose trousers.
In the kitchen, he set the bag of food down and began unpacking it. The clink of plates filled the quiet space as he set the table: rice, fried plantain, and chicken neatly arranged under the warm yellow glow of the overhead light. He poured himself a glass of water, slid into his chair, and for the first time all day, the house was truly still.
The fork scraped gently against the plate as he began to eat, the faint sound of the television in the background — just noise to fill the silence.
The fork clinked softly against his plate as Joshey finished the last bite. On the television, his favorite series played, filling the living room with sound and light. A scene came on that made him laugh out loud, a rare crack in his usual calm.
"Auraa!" he said, pointing at the screen like he was cheering from the sidelines. He shook his head, still smiling faintly as he chewed, eyes glued to the show.
When the plate was empty, he pushed it aside and leaned back in his chair, his gaze never leaving the TV. The series wound its way toward the finale, and as the credits finally rolled, he let out a quiet breath.
"Damn," he muttered to himself. "Final episodes always hit the most. Guess it's done now…"
The room fell still, the sudden silence pressing around him. For a moment, he just sat there, the glow of the blank screen reflecting in his eyes. Then he rose slowly, collecting the dishes and setting them in the sink without thought.
His steps carried him down the hall toward his personal workspace. The door opened with a quiet creak, revealing the room's order: neat desk, drawers aligned, a place that felt both professional and personal. But on the desk, almost waiting, lay two objects that didn't belong to the image of the man who smiled at colleagues and joked with food sellers.
A black mask.
A pair of black gloves.
He looked at them without expression, as if they had always been there.
Joshey moved to the drawer. The metallic weight of the gun met his hand. He checked it with the same calm precision he'd used to review résumés earlier in the day. A soft click.
He sat down, mask and gloves still in his peripheral vision.
The gun felt heavy in his hand as he raised it, turning it toward his temple.
A steady breath.
One last thought.
And then —
The crack split the silence.
It was instant. No flashes, no drifting, no afterlife. One moment there was nothing.