Daniel knelt on hard gravel, hands tied behind his back, the rough cord biting into his skin.
A black bag was pulled off his head, and the first thing he saw was a row of headlights blazing into his face. He squinted, blinking fast. The air smelled like oil, blood, and freshly dug dirt.
"So this is the guy." A voice said.
The voice belonged to a man in a red leather jacket, sleeves rolled up despite the cold. His gold chain shimmered in the light. Around him stood six others, all armed. Behind them was a shallow grave.
Daniel stayed calm. As calm as a man kneeling in front of his own grave could be.
"You've got some balls, accountant." The gang leader said, lighting a cigarette. "Skimming off the top of Titan Holdings like it was petty cash."
Daniel licked his cracked lips. His thoughts flicked back to the chain of events that had ended in this particular situation.
He had been a number-cruncher. Just another cog buried in the gray towers of Titan Holdings, where no one knew your name unless you were costing them money.
Day after day, he watched billions shuffle in and out of accounts. But no matter how much he saved them, his own paycheck stayed the same.
He had worked late nights. Missed birthdays. Watched his parents die with nothing. And when he asked for a raise, just once, they laughed. Literally laughed.
So Daniel laughed back. Quietly. Using code, transfers, paper companies, and untraceable accounts.
He'd spent seven beautiful months building a hidden trail, covering every step with the same expertise they'd ignored.
And when the billion was finally his, he'd saved it all on a USB. A USB that he'd hid in the hollow of his shoe. And so, he'd packed up everything he had, and made his escape.
Unfortunately for him, his opponent had more reach than he'd thought.
And now, staring up at the man holding his life in the shape of a pistol, he said clearly, "I didn't skim. I took a billion."
If he could just cut a deal with them…
The leader laughed. "See, that's the kind of honesty I respect right before a bullet goes in."
The others chuckled, but Daniel could see it. They were unsure. Nervous. A billion wasn't pocket change. A billion was a ticket out.
He took a slow breath. "I didn't spend it. Not yet."
That made the men pause.
The leader tilted his head. "You're bluffing."
Daniel stared at the man and said, "You'll never find it."
The leader frowned. "Find what?"
Daniel gave a small, tired smile. "The billion. You think I was dumb enough to leave it lying around? You need me to get to it. And if you want, we can work something out."
The USB was currently in his shoe, but they didn't need to know that.
He saw the greed ripple through them. Good.
The leader stepped closer, eyes narrowed. "Where is it?"
Daniel stayed silent. Just kept smiling.
The men exchanged uncertain looks.
"Forget it." The leader said with a snort. "You think you can entice us to spare your life? The CEO's already running a trace. That money's getting recovered. And anyone dumb enough to try to take it dies before they get the chance to spend a dime."
Daniel leaned forward, his eyes going wide. "Wait! Wait a minute! We can make a deal! Fifty-fifty. You keep me alive, I give you access."
The leader stared at Daniel. Then, without a word, walked over to the grave. He kicked at the edge, sending a chunk of dirt tumbling in.
"You could run." Daniel said, trying to keep his voice calm despite the fear clawing at his throat. "That money's enough to disappear forever. Private island. New name. Everything."
The leader didn't answer right away. He just stood at the edge of the grave, staring down.
Finally, he turned back, walking slowly. "You know what your mistake was?"
"Seventy-thirty. You can have seventy percent!" Daniel yelled.
"Thinking the CEO would let anyone get away." The gang leader spoke, as if he hadn't heard Daniel. "Thinking we'd take the deal and live happily ever after."
He tossed the cigarette aside. "We're not thieves. We're loyal."
"Eighty-twenty." Daniel's eyes roved around, begging for someone to take the deal.
The leader hesitated. Just a flicker. Then he forced a laugh. "Nice try."
He raised the gun.
Daniel stared down the barrel. "You pull that trigger, and you die poor."
"Nah," the man said. "I die employed."
The shot rang out. Daniel's world went black.
-----
He gasped.
Sand filled his mouth. He choked, spitting it out and rolling onto his side. Heat slammed into him. His skin burned as if under a sun with no mercy.
Daniel sat up. He was naked. And alone. Around him stretched a desert of white sand and bones. The sky was dead gray. A jagged sun hung above, unmoving.
He stood, shaking. His breath hitched in his chest.
"Where the hell..."
[DING! Welcome to the Afterlife.]
The words floated in front of him in glowing blue text. Not on a screen. In the air. As if there was not enough budget to afford an actual holographic screen.
"What?" He stared at it in confusion.
[This is the Afterlife System. You are currently located in Zone 88-C, The Bleached Wastes.]
"System?"
[Affirmative. You are now a registered Soul-Entity.]
"Am I... dead?"
[Yes. You were killed by a gunshot to the head.]
"No kidding."
He looked down at himself. Clean. No wounds. No scars.
"Why am I... whole?"
[All Soul-Entities regenerate into default base forms upon arrival. Clothes not included.]
Daniel covered himself with his hands. "Can I get something to wear?"
[Please access the System Shop to make purchases.]
"How?"
[System Shop requires activation. Searching inventory...]
Daniel stared at the sand. "What inventory? I'm naked right now."
[Item detected: USB drive. Estimated monetary value: $1,000,000,000 USD.]
His mouth went dry. "You're kidding."
[SYSTEM SHOP UNLOCKED. CURRENT BALANCE: $1,000,000,000.]
Daniel fell back onto the sand, laughing. It echoed through the silent desert.
He still had no idea what was truly going on, but he had a billion dollars.
Let the Afterlife begin.