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Control, Alt...

The Back Story

By Benjamin TaylorPublished about a year ago Updated about a year ago 6 min read
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Control, Alt...
Photo by Luca Bravo on Unsplash

Zachary wasn't what was considered an ordinary child. Shy, reserved but well behaved considering the upbringing from his parents. He was successful too. At just twelve years old he was already completing his GCSE exams with ease, at fourteen his A - Levels were a breeze and at just sixteen he had just been accepted into the Imperial College in London to study computer science.

Alongside this he also had a couple of thousand pounds in stocks and shares as well as a small fortune in Crypto. But that was just his side hustle. Zachary's main focus was to get his degree in computer science. He has already been made aware of how talented his academic ability was. Many teachers and lecturers alike had praised him for his efforts over the years. Some even saying they have never seen anyone with such intelligence which in turn has given Zachary a great deal of confidence.

Socially however, this took a downfall with his classmates. Zach to them just stood out among the crowd. He was in a different league and they cask him out, jealous of his intellect. He acquired names such as 'Brain box' and 'Sherlock' which didn't faze him. He just let his work do the talking.

But it also gained the attention of not just the top universities in the country but also the darker sides of the Internet and computer world.

Zachary was in the middle of a life changing mission all occurring in his small one bed studio flat in South London. He had amassed a following of hackers from across the world who were just minutes away from completing the biggest acquisition of online funds anyone has ever attempted.

One hundred and eighty million pounds split three ways was an extremely exciting opportunity that Zach just couldn't miss out on. The thought of having that kind of money at his age sent his brain into dreamland. And just him and two other people from around the world were about to acquire it.

Two clicks on his PC and he was online. The first thing Zach did was check whether the others were available. Ready for the 'big one' as they all called it when they were messaging one another. The adrenaline rush Zachary got every time he started to hack into small banks around the world sent him dancing around the room as he just watched the numbers flicking up green on the screen.

But the thought of what they were about to do the banks in London and the money just blew Zachary's mind. And he was the key to it all.

Zach found himself wandering around his flat just eagerly anticipating his two partners in the operation to appear back online.

He sat down and whilst staring outside his small window taking in different parts of London began to dream of the things he wanted when he got the money. Flash Rolex watches, Gucci bags, designer clothes, tropical holidays and big mansion house parties.

Whilst listening to his favourite music on his black, worn out headset the music volume lowers for a brief moment to let Zachary hear the sound of a notification through his laptop.

He bolted into action anticipating it was from one of his colleagues. He opened it up and it read...

'Reset your password'

Zachary was confused at first but then started to panic as another message came through.

'Anonymous2273 is a snake. Reset your passwords now.'

Not. Right, it can't be. The worst possible thing to fantasize about had just leaped out of his busy brain into reality. And it made his hairs stand on end.

Zachary went to reply. Then stood up and looked at himself in the mirror. Terrified. He then quickly gathered his thoughts and sat back down to continue typing his message back to Anonymous5648.

'What! Are you sure? How do you know this has happened?'

Zachary knew he probably wasn't going to get a response instantly so he began to click open three different internet browsers which load simultaneously and then began to login to several different websites that he used which might allow anyone like the Police or Anonymous5648 to access the evidence that would link back to him.

A soon as Zach had sorted one password out on one account he moved straight onto the other and repeated the process for around five to ten minutes.

Amongst the hustle and bustle of London City life, a couple of distant wails of sirens could be heard by Zachary in the distance. This made him panic, heart racing, he could feel sweat streaming down the side of his head as if he had been for a run.

He stopped what he was doing and ran to the window as he could tell they were getting closer and closer. Both vehicles zoomed past flashing lights and blaring sirens and a small sense of relief.

He jumped back at his computer as a message came up. It was Anonymous5648 again and it read.

'Positive. Our associate in the force leaked to me about an hour ago that an anonymous tip off was provided to the police regarding our plan with the banks in London.'

Zachary's eyes were fixed to the screen as a typing bubble began to float on screen indicating another message was coming. Zachary eagerly anticipated and what was only a couple minutes felt like twenty minutes to him.

The message came through reading.

'Oh no, someone is coming for me. Pack a bag and get out of London. NOW.'

This. Was enough to terrify Zach to the core. He shot up and began to stagger around his flat finding all his essentials. Fuel

ing his back ready to make a run for it. His heart racing at this point in fear of his freedom and his life.

He launched his bag towards the front door ready to make his move but remembered that there was a couple more sights he needed to change the password on to try an cover his tracks in his mind he still had a chance.

He bounced back into his cream leather desk chair and began to access the last two sites to change his passwords.

He managed to do one but the last one read this message.

THIS ACCOUNT HAS BEEN CEASED DUE TO SUSPECTED ILLEGAL ACTIVITY.

The logo of the metropolitan police and UK government was imprinted below the message.

Time. It felt as if it was going a million miles an hour for Zach and he was still stuck in the past. Desperate to get out both mentally and physically. He attempted to break through the blocking in order to still have a chance at erasing any trace of evidence that he was linked to this entire operation.

At that moment the door sounded like thunder as someone shouted.

"ARMED POLICE. OPEN UP."

Zachary was still so shocked at the sudden banging on the door it felt as if they were physically knocking on his entire body as if he was the door itself.

Zach grabbed the key pad of his PC and desperately began deleting all his details and the evidence. Praying that this would all go his way some how.

One last file which he couldn't delete as he may need it later asked 'are you sure you want to reset your password?'

The door bursts opens with some pieces of wood splitting at the brute force the police showed. Four police officers armed swarmed in like and invasive pathogen pointed at Zach.

Zachary instinctively, stood up with his had pulling at the bottom of his desk in a panic.

The gun taped to the bottom. He got it off and grabbed it pointing it straight at them.

The police shouted. "GET DOWN. ON THE GROUND AWAY FROM YOUR PC."

"PUT THE GUN DOWN. NOW."

Zach moved back three inches.

"DON'T MOVE. DROP YOU'RE WEAPON."

Zachary at this point was calm. All the stress. Relieved. He knew it was over. Instead of him deleting any evidence of the heist he would be the one to delete himself. All of the hard work he put in. It didn't matter any more. He had lost.

He turned the gun to his head.

The end.

Short Story
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About the Creator

Benjamin Taylor

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