The Chosen One

Have you ever thought about joining a secret society?

My Downfall

I was applying for a bunch of jobs online at the time because I had lost mine. My girlfriend had left me, so I wasn’t going to be able to afford my little stacked trailer of a home, no matter how economical and good for the environment it was, and I’d be hoping my parents or one of the few friends I have would let me crash at their place if I didn’t find one pretty soon. I was feeling pretty down, and it was already getting to be a long time since I can remember being happy. Rejection letter after rejection letter from jobs I was applying to wasn’t helping, so it was good news when I finally got a message that said a company thought I was a good match for a position they had open. They gave me an online written test and said I passed. Then I had a phone interview where they said I got the job. I was stunned! It paid quite a bit of money compared to what I was used to and had amazing benefits. It was going to be like starting a new life away from all the worries I’d always dealt with. I immediately called my old girlfriend to tell her about the job, hoping that it would convince her to give me another chance, but she laughed at me and said it was a scam.

“If it’s too good to be true, it probably is,” she said, and went on to say that I would never get a good job because I didn’t go to college and I lived in a poor area. Then she said not to contact her anymore and ended the conversation without even letting me say anything back, which she knew I hated. I remember cursing her for a few seconds, but I couldn’t help feeling like I needed to prove her wrong, especially since I admittedly felt the job was a little too good to be true when they told me I got it.

Getting to the bottom of it was actually pretty easy. I had been conversing with the hiring manager, Chandler M, through text messages, and she gave me the online test and set up the phone interview. During the phone interview, the Interviewer said that Chandler M spoke highly of me, and that was part of the reason I got the job, so I looked up and found her on social media. She was working for the company I was supposed to have a new job with, so I knew it was her. I sent her a message that said I had heard she spoke highly of me and that I wanted to personally thank her for helping me get the job, but that I had been the victim of a phishing scam a year earlier and wanted to be sure it wasn’t happening again. She responded that she was sorry to hear about my situation but had no idea who I was and that any job I was discussing was not with her or the company she works for. I was devastated!

I can’t explain how angry I was. I had spent hours taking the test and preparing for the phone interview, which was time I could have spent looking for a real job that I desperately needed. Not to mention, my ex-girlfriend was right. I’d never get a job like the one I thought I had, and falling for these scams only proved how dumb I was. I was just glad I didn’t have to tell her, and never speaking to her again was almost a relief.

I sat there staring at the screen for what seemed like forever, with the fake hiring manager’s encouraging messages still on the screen, taunting me, making me feel like even more of an idiot. And worst of all, I knew that if it weren’t for my ex-girlfriend tipping me off, I likely would have been out what little money I had left. The last message on my screen told me that they were waiting for me to return the files they sent me so they could get me set up with direct deposit and provide a hiring bonus so I could start ordering the items I needed for work. However, they were going to use that banking information to access my account, steal all my money, and then disappear without a trace.     

I knew I should have turned off the messages and put the whole thing behind me now that I knew the truth and gone back to looking for a job, but I couldn’t allay my anger. The urge to do something about them making a fool out of me was too great, even if it meant I would get hurt or go to jail. I can’t say why exactly, nor could I help it when my mind kept reminding me of my younger self, who was a mischievous computer hacker with no regard for rules or authority. I noticed that the text said I had until the end of the next business day to turn in my forms, and it was Friday night, which gave me the weekend, so I spent it refreshing my knowledge about my old favorite after-school activity with the constant thought of revenge in my head.

My Revenge

By early Sunday morning, I already had a plan that I would perfect by the next day. I was able to download what hackers call a RAT, which is a remote access trojan program that would help me get the job done. There were several available with interesting names, including DarkComet, NanoCore, ProRat, and Sub7. Still, I went with an updated version of the open-source QuasarRAT, which is several years old but has some great hackers working on it in secret to this day, and I could adapt it even more to my needs. Once the thieves install the RAT, which will happen the second they open the file containing my banking information, the RAT will open a backdoor to their computer that gives me remote access that stays open indefinitely. I would use that access to get the information I needed to turn them over to the police and make them wish they had never tried to steal my money.

I filled out the banking information on the form the thieves wanted me to return incorrectly, of course, and attached the QuasarRat. I knew most email providers would detect it, so I uploaded the files to an online service that allowed secure downloads and told the thieves it was because I was afraid to send sensitive information through an email. The online service ensured no one tampered with the files during download but did nothing to check the files themselves. Since they still believed they had all the power and I was their prey, they opened the files without hesitation, including the one with the hidden attachment that launched my little program.

I typed a link in my browser and had access to their computer. I could look through it as easily as I could look through my computer without them knowing, but I had to move quickly. Fortunately, they had a Work file on the desktop with all of the information I needed. I was able to learn that I was not the only one they were robbing because I found the banking information of several other people. I quickly copied the folder, captured screenshots, and had the QuasarRAT scrape the computer for serial numbers, IP addresses, and other identifying information I could give to the police. Just as I finished, I received a text message from the fake Chandler M telling me that my banking information wasn’t correct.

“We expect you to be a hard-working and diligent employee with great attention to detail! This is not a good first step.”  said the onscreen text after I explained that I must have typed one of the numbers wrong.

“Please reupload the banking file with the correct information quickly so we can get you set up in our system.”

As I made them wait a few more minutes, I prepared what I was going to say. I admit that I was a bit nervous and worried that what I was doing could get me into trouble. Finally, I built up the courage to upload some of the screenshots I had captured from their computer onto the chat, which proved to them that I had access to their computer and knew what they were doing. I told them that I knew they were trying to steal my money and the money of other people and that I was sending the information directly to the police.

“Wait!” the text read on the screen, and my phone immediately rang. The ID told me it was the same person who interviewed me, so I answered it.

“There must be some misunderstanding!” the gruff voice said. “I…”

I cut him off there and said, “You tried to steal my money and made me look like a fool. I only took this call to tell you to have a great time in jail, Asshole!”

“Wait! WAIT!” I could hear the desperate voice coming out of my speaker as I went to cancel the call, “I’ll send you money right now! Do you have PayPal?”

“I’ll deposit $5,000 into your account now! We already have your email, and we’ll forget this ever happened. “the voice continued.

I paused for a moment to think, and I’ll admit, it’s hard to remain mad at someone offering you a lot of money when you desperately need it.

“Make it $10,000, and you have a deal, but I’m not going to wait long for the money,” I said finally.

“Go ahead and check your account now.” The voice said, and sure enough, the money was there.

“OK, I’ll get rid of the information,” I said, “Your secrets are safe with me!”

The thief didn’t say anything else, only ended the call. I couldn’t believe it, it worked! I’ll admit I kicked back and played video games for a few days with my doors locked, and I kept checking the balance of my banking account and PayPal. However, nothing bad happened, and now I had a good amount of money that would last a while.

After several days, I started to feel more relaxed, and I don’t know if it was the video games or what, but instead of getting back to looking for a job, I came up with the crazy idea that I would be able to make a living by finding these thieves and hacking them for money. I thought that while hacking might be illegal, I’d only be doing it to criminals, and putting them out of business would help everyone. I began to actively look for phishing scams that would come through my email as I worked to improve my hacking skills and gain more tools. In just about 8 weeks, I had made more than $200,000. Who knew there were so many of these people on the internet? They all followed roughly the same pattern and reacted the same way when they learned I had hacked them, eagerly paying the money I asked for immediately. When one of them wouldn’t download the files containing the QuasarRAT, I would move on to the next job and not waste any more time on them. One time, someone refused to send the money and tried to call my bluff, so I had the RAT fry his entire system, hide in his router, and fry his next computer.

By the time I had been doing it for about 12 weeks, I could already notice that it was getting harder to find these phishing attempts in several of the places that usually have plenty of them, like the job sites I was using when I got started. I was feeling pretty proud of myself, and I was making some plans of how I would spend my money when, to my surprise, my ex-girlfriend called me and said she wanted to see me. She sounded upset and said she had a bad day and just wanted someone to talk to. I said OK, and then she asked if I’d order some pizza from Pat’s and said she’d be over in a little while.

I was excited and couldn’t wait to tell her how much better off I had been since we last spoke. Now, with my newfound income, we could have any life she wanted, and we could even have fun in this dark and dreary virus-filled AI-controlled world. I found myself practicing what I would say to her and how I would thank her for helping me see the truth. Once the pizza arrived, I set the table to be casual yet romantic, and I waited a little over an hour past the time she said she would be there before I gave her a call to see if she was having any trouble. There was no answer, so I sat around for another half hour and tried again—still nothing. I thought she must have changed her mind, and I was definitely a little more bummed than I thought I would be, but I wasn’t about to let the pizza go to waste. I opened the box, and just then, I heard a strange sound coming from behind me. I turned around to see a small, odd-looking drone coming through the window and flying directly toward me. When it was only inches away, it exploded, and everything went dark.

My Rebirth

You can imagine how surprised I was to find out I was still alive, but that was just the first in a long list of unbelievable surprises. It turns out that the explosion blew off nearly my entire head, and I wouldn’t be able to see, hear, eat, or smell without the use of the bionic and cybernetic components that the doctors replaced my eyes, ears, and other parts with. I now had a video feed and microphones wired directly to my brain, along with sensors that could detect the faintest odor. However, my face, though now extremely durable, isn’t real skin and bone, so it looks quite odd and completely unlike my old self, but I’m not complaining.

It turns out the people who saved my life are from an organization called the Global Guardians, and the explosion got their attention because the attackers used an electromagnetic pulse combined with a powerful blast to not only kill me and destroy my computer equipment but also to erase any data that it might contain. It also erased all surveillance video that might show where the drone came from and caused mayhem around my home, which slowed the emergency response time.

The Guardians had been watching a group of tech-enhanced mercenaries named The Pack for a while that they believed were stealing money from innocent people to develop new weapons, like the drone used at my home. They also use the money to build and fund facilities to train more scammers and teach their agents how to use the weapons they are developing. These are angry people looking to gain power through force, like many terrorists and drug cartels over the years. However, their agenda doesn’t have anything to do with religion or drugs, only acquiring money and controlling people.

A few weeks ago, the Guardians had started to hear a lot of talk about someone becoming a problem for the Pack, and it was cutting into their profits so when the explosion occurred, they knew it must be them carrying out a retaliation strike. Luckily, they were able to retrieve me before anyone arrived. No one knew what had become of my body, and everyone assumed I was dead due to the strength of the explosion.

The man telling me everything as I recovered said to call him R9 for some reason, and I wasn’t about to argue. He was friendly enough but always seemed to have drunk too much coffee before he came into the room. He spoke very quickly and without a lot of variations in his tone. He also seemed to pay little attention to me and was almost talking to himself as he wrote a lot of stuff down into a notebook, like an old-school detective.

I asked him why they saved me, and he said they hadn’t meant to. They had gone to my home to learn what they could about my attackers and expected me to be dead. However, their equipment detected life signs, so they got me out before the authorities showed up. They also retrieved my computer and were surprised to find I had protected it with lead and a Faraday cage, so it was virtually undamaged, and it became a real benefit to them.

When the Global Guardians arrived to assist me, there was no sign of the drone, and its complete destruction was likely part of the plan. They also weren’t sure if my ex-girlfriend was working with them. She said she had never called me to come over and had already moved on to a new phone and lover by then, but it sure seemed like her to me. Neither mine nor her cellphone was found or active after that night.

However, thanks to the extremely detailed and well-documented information in my computer, they were able to track down and turn in all of the people I had hacked to the police, many of whom were low-level but important people in The Pack who were responsible for helping to bring in the funds needed to create their new weapons. Now, thanks to me, it would take a lot longer. Apparently, the Global Guardians were also impressed with the way I was able to modify older, free technology like the QuasarRAT to work on modern systems, which I didn’t even realize was difficult.

What they felt were my superior hacking abilities combined with my targeting criminals, even if it was for revenge, my part in helping them put pressure on The Pack, and the fact that I already had experience dealing with them and their operatives gave them enough reason to bring me back to life hoping that I would join them. I would become a Chosen One, which is another name for a Global Guardian that has ascended into the secret ranks.

     Of course, they gave me a choice, but it would be nearly impossible to say no, and to be honest, it was nice to have a group believe in me instead of pointing out my flaws and limitations. However, I will admit that I was sad in some ways about my old life, which is now gone forever. For as much as I struggled, I had a few friends that I would miss, and of course, I would miss my parents, whom I really loved and would still visit for dinner every week. It also stung that my ex-girlfriend was moving on, and there was nothing I could do about it. It took a lot of time to stop obsessing over these things and put them behind me for good.

Overall, now that I’ve healed, I can honestly say I am finally happier than ever with a real sense of purpose. I’m used to my implants, and they help me function as well, or even better than I could before, and with more training, I’ll be able to become even better.

I know the story is far-fetched, but it’s 100% true. As a Global Guardian, I help others uncover what hides from the people of this world. We work to expose corruption, foul play, and evil deeds wherever they occur, from the governments of the world to the schoolyard bullies. We’re tired of being lied to, kept in the dark, stolen from, and manipulated, and we believe the people of the world are too. We’re not doing it for some mad genius trying to take over the world. We are doing it for the people. You may have seen our symbol, an eye inside the globe. Our message to the news media, governments, advertisers, and others is “Now, We’re Watching You!”

If you would like to become a Global Guardian, join the public groups wherever you can find them and do right by your community by working to expose those trying to do wrong. You didn’t hear this from me, but the Guardians often hide puzzles and codes in plain site to find those who are especially interested in our mission. We will invite those who excel to become a Chosen One.

We see everything and are growing!

Help improve the world for everyone by joining the Global Guardians today!

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In the eerie twilight of dusk, the moon’s pale light began to cast haunting shadows. A winding road carved its way through the dark woods, leading Emma and her newfound companion, Alessio, to the outskirts of a large, isolated property. The moon hung low in the sky, bathing the surroundings in a soft glow. Emma’s heart fluttered with excitement and concern as they neared the home of her brother, Oliver, whom she had not seen in years.

“Oh, Alessio, I can’t believe we’re finally here,” Emma exclaimed, feeling nostalgic. “It’s been so long since I last saw Oliver. I hope he’s doing good.”

Alessio’s eyes gleamed with scholarly fascination, the light reflecting off his glasses as he enthusiastically replied, “Indeed, Emma. This is a fortuitous occasion, as our visit coincides with a celestial event of great significance. A penumbral lunar eclipse will unfold soon. Can you believe it? An astronomical wonder we can watch from your brother’s house!”

He couldn’t resist sharing his passion for astronomy, even when emotions ran high for Emma. His frail frame seemed to quiver with excitement, and his fingers traced patterns in the air, mirroring the celestial motions he so dearly admired.

Emma smiled, her mind focused on the impending reunion with her brother. “Yes, Alessio, it’s quite extraordinary. But let’s not forget why we’re here. I really hope Oliver will be happy to see us.”

As they approached the house, the dense woods seemed to envelop them, accentuating the isolation of Oliver’s home. An owl hooted from afar, and the leaves rustled gently in the night breeze. The once serene woods now seemed to conspire with the shadows to create an atmosphere mirroring the unease festering in Emma’s heart.

In the distance, they spotted a shadowy figure carrying something hefty. Although curiosity tugged at Emma’s mind, Alessio’s eager explanation about the astrological marvel ahead diverted her attention. She suppressed the urge to ask questions, deciding to address them later.

The house loomed larger with each step, revealing its worn but sturdy facade. Oliver’s voice echoed through the night, guiding them to an alternative path to the entrance.

“Come around the side, guys! I’ll meet you there,” Oliver’s voice called out. Emma smiled softly as Oliver’s voice blended warmth and anticipation.

Emma and Alessio did what Oliver said and walked along the path to the rear of the house, where Emma’s heart skipped a beat as she caught sight of her brother. Something seemed awry, but her apprehension vanished when Alessio’s animated chatter returned her attention to the impending penumbral eclipse.

“Emma, look! Take note of how the moon looks now to appreciate better the subtle luminescence that will be veiled during the eclipse. It’s a rare and fascinating occurrence!” Alessio gushed, barely containing his excitement.

Magda forced a smile and looked up, her mind drifting between the celestial wonders and the enigmatic figure of her brother.

Dance of Darkness

The atmosphere around Oliver’s house felt charged with an intangible tension as Emma and Alessio approached the rear entrance. Emma’s instincts seemed to tug at her, hinting that something was amiss, but she chose to dismiss the feeling as mere jitters from their long journey.

Looking to be engrossed in some activity, Oliver glanced up momentarily as they arrived but then returned to his mysterious task. For a moment, it seemed he was carrying a heavy object wrapped in cloth. However, neither Emma nor Alessio appeared to take notice or care.

“Oliver, it’s so good to see you!” Emma called out, her voice carrying a mix of warmth and concern. “How have you been all these years? I’ve missed you.”

Oliver’s response was sincere but restrained, his eyes avoiding direct contact as he replied, “Emma, it’s been a while. I’m glad you made it, but I hope you understand the risks of being here.”

Alessio, too engrossed in setting up his astronomical equipment, hardly noticed Oliver’s demeanor. With an air of scholarly enthusiasm, he unfolded his tripod and aligned his telescope toward the sky. “Ah, yes! The penumbral eclipse shall grace the heavens soon. A spectacle to behold!” he said while fiddling with the telescope’s focus.

Emma’s eyes darted between Oliver and Alessio, a sense of unease lingering. Her brother seemed on edge, while Alessio was immersed in his nerdy world of astronomy, as if oblivious to the undercurrents surrounding them.

Trying to be cordial despite his inner turmoil, Oliver started a grill and tried to look relaxed. “I bet you’re hungry. How about some hamburgers?” he suggested, attempting to keep the conversation light.

As the smell of cooking filled the air, Emma changed to a more serious topic, “Oliver, I was worried about you after all the news of those gruesome murders nearby. Are you safe out here?”

Oliver’s face tensed momentarily, and he evaded her gaze before offering a carefully worded response, “It’s wild creatures in these woods that are causing the problem. I’ve managed to stay safe so far, but it’s best if you and your new friend leave after you eat.”

Still fumbling with his astronomy equipment, Alessio casually said, “Oh, I wouldn’t worry too much, Emma. Oliver’s a capable man, and tonight’s event is too extraordinary to miss. We shall be well on our way after we witness the eclipse’s marvel.”

As the conversation continued, the subtle tension in the air seemed to heighten. Oliver’s eagerness for Emma and Alessio to depart contrasted starkly with Alessio’s nonchalance, sparking further unease in Emma’s heart.

Under the Moon’s Gaze

The night sky gradually embraced the penumbral eclipse as the moon began to slip into Earth’s faint shadow. Alessio, fully immersed in his astronomical fervor, was meticulously adjusting his telescope to capture the celestial event with unparalleled precision. Emma watched her brother closely, attempting to discern the troubled emotions lurking beneath his seemingly composed demeanor. Despite her concerns, she tried to maintain an air of normalcy, wanting to rekindle the bond with Oliver that time and distance had slowly eroded.

Although anxious for his sister to leave, Oliver played the friendly host, continuing to offer food and drinks to his guests while they waited for the celestial alignment to unfold. As Alessio enthusiastically talked about the nuances of the astronomical event, Oliver listened with feigned interest, concealing his inner turmoil and the dark secret he so desperately wanted to protect. The atmosphere grew increasingly scary as the moon’s glow dimmed, subtly transforming the landscape into a hauntingly ethereal scene. Shadows crept across the property, taking on the shapes of monsters and adding to the uncertainty that engulfed the trio.

Alessio’s excitement peaked as the penumbral eclipse began, and he couldn’t contain his scientific exuberance. “This is truly extraordinary!” he exclaimed. “The Earth’s penumbral shadow is gently caressing the lunar surface, ever so subtly darkening its luminosity. Isn’t it simply breathtaking?”

Emma nodded, though, between the mesmerizing cosmic display and their reunion’s unsettling undertones, her thoughts were distant. She exchanged glances with Oliver, who appeared to be growing more restless by the minute. At the same time, Alessio’s telescope captured every nuance of the strange event as his joyous exclamations reverberated in the night air.

However, as the penumbral eclipse neared its end, Oliver’s anxiety escalated, and he felt the overwhelming urge to flee. The moon’s hazy outline, now veiled by the Earth’s penumbra, seemed to mirror the shadows encroaching upon his heart.

“It’s time to leave,” Oliver asserted, his voice tinged with urgency. “You’ve got to get going now, for your safety and mine.”

Alessio casually brushed off the suggestion, seemingly oblivious to the turmoil building within Oliver. “Oh, come on now, Oliver,” he retorted, “there’s no need to rush. We can stay a little longer to observe the celestial aftermath.”

Emma sensed the tension between the two men, her heart pounding as she struggled to make sense of their conflicting reactions. Oliver’s agitation was palpable, and she feared that a storm was brewing beneath the surface.

“No, Alessio!” Oliver’s voice rose, bordering on desperation. “You don’t understand. You need to leave—now!”

At that moment, as the penumbral eclipse ended, the delicate balance of the night shattered, and Oliver’s internal struggle took a terrifying turn. With the moon reclaiming its luminous brilliance, the shadows within Oliver surged and unleashed the beast within him. The once-composed man transformed into a fearsome werewolf with snarls echoing through the woods. Alessio, who had taken an interest in celestial wonders, was now faced with a terrifying reality far beyond the scope of his telescopic lenses.

However, in an instant, the true identity of Alessio, the seemingly frail astronomer, was unveiled. He was the malevolent Overseer, and Emma was a pawn in his wicked game to capture him. With the moon’s return to its full splendor, he wielded an umbrella crafted with special filters to shield himself from the moonlight, leaving Oliver powerless against his dominance.

“I am the Overseer, the ruler of darkness,” Alessio proclaimed with an eerie, sinister smile. “And you, Oliver, shall now bend to my will.”

The night took an even darker turn as the celestial dance in the skies mirrored the sinister dance of shadows and secrets on the ground, which sealed Oliver’s fate. Emma could only watch in horror as her brother became a slave to the same evil force that had trapped her.

And so, under the watchful gaze of a moon, free yet encased in shadows, the three figures disappeared into the night, forever bound by secrets, power, and the celestial mysteries that shaped their destinies.

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