I’ve always known I was different. Ever since I can remember, I’ve had these heart attacks. They strike suddenly, without warning, leaving me gasping for breath, clutching my chest in agony. Doctors have never been able to explain it. They say it’s a rare condition, some sort of anomaly in my heart’s electrical system. But I know it’s something more. Something deeper.
In this neon-soaked city, where the line between man and machine blurs, I’ve learned to survive. My name is Jack Donovan, a lowly private detective scraping by in the underbelly of the metropolis known as New Eden. It’s a place where high-tech implants meld with flesh, where virtual realities and mind reading rule the streets.
I never asked for this life. But fate has a funny way of dealing its cards. You see, my heart attacks have given me a unique ability. In the moments when my heart stops, my mind opens up like a dam bursting with floodwaters. I can hear thoughts, see memories, perceive the darkest secrets lurking in the minds of others.
It’s a curse as much as it is a gift. The constant barrage of thoughts is overwhelming, like standing in the middle of a crowded room with everyone screaming at once. But I’ve learned to control it, to filter out the noise and focus on what matters.
My latest case is a doozy. A high-ranking executive from one of the city’s major corporations has gone missing. His name is Vincent Blackwood, and he’s worth more than all the credits in this city combined. The police have declared it a routine disappearance, but I know there’s something more sinister at play.
I step out into the rain-soaked streets, feeling the oppressive weight of the city on my shoulders. The neon signs flicker above me, casting an eerie glow on the cracked pavement below. The stench of decay mingles with the sharp tang of ozone, a constant reminder of the city’s decaying soul.
I make my way to Club Vertigo, a notorious hotspot for the city’s elites. The pounding bass reverberates through my chest, sending shivers down my spine. I step inside, the air thick with smoke and anticipation.
The club is a sensory overload. Bodies writhe on the dance floor, lost in a sea of pulsating lights and intoxicating beats. I navigate through the crowd, my heart pounding in rhythm with the music.
My contact is waiting for me near the back, a woman named Ava. She’s a tech genius, someone who knows her way around the dark corners of the net. She owes me a favor, and tonight, I’m here to collect.
Ava leads me to a secluded booth, shielding us from prying eyes. She slides a data chip across the table, her eyes gleaming with excitement.
“I’ve managed to hack into Blackwood’s neural implant,” she whispers. “It’s a prototype, state-of-the-art. I’ve never seen anything like it.”
My heart skips a beat. This is it—the break I’ve been waiting for. With access to Blackwood’s memories, I might finally uncover the truth behind his disappearance.
I slot the data chip into my own neural implant, feeling a surge of electricity course through my veins. The world around me blurs as Blackwood’s memories come flooding in.
I see flashes of his past—a childhood filled with wealth and privilege, a ruthless climb up the corporate ladder, and secrets buried deep within his psyche. But there’s something else, something darker lurking in the shadows.
Blackwood had stumbled upon a conspiracy. A powerful underground organization known as The Collective has been using mind reading technology to manipulate and control the city’s elite. They’re pulling the strings, turning New Eden into their own personal playground.
I can’t believe what I’m seeing. The web of deception is vast, ensnaring everyone from politicians to high-ranking officials. But there’s one name that keeps popping up—Dr. Elizabeth Langley, a renowned neuroscientist and the mastermind behind The Collective.
My heart races, threatening to burst out of my chest. I’ve stumbled upon something bigger than I ever imagined. But with great knowledge comes great danger.
I delve deeper into Blackwood’s memories, desperate for more answers. But just as I’m about to uncover the final piece of the puzzle, I feel a searing pain shoot through my chest. Another heart attack.
The world around me fades to black, replaced by a swirling vortex of thoughts and memories. I hear the whispers of The Collective, their voices intertwining with my own. They know I’m onto them, and they’re coming for me.
I wake up in a dimly lit room, my body strapped to a cold metal gurney. Dr. Langley stands over me, a wicked smile curling on her lips.
“Mr. Donovan, how nice of you to join us,” she sneers. “You’ve been quite the thorn in our side.”
She explains her plan—to use my unique ability as a weapon. With my mind reading powers, she can extract valuable information from the city’s most guarded secrets. She claims it’s for the greater good, a necessary evil to maintain order in this chaotic world.
But I know better. The Collective’s thirst for control knows no bounds. They’ll stop at nothing to achieve their twisted vision of utopia.
As she prepares to inject me with a cocktail of drugs, I summon every ounce of strength left in me. With a surge of adrenaline, I break free from my restraints, lunging at Dr. Langley.
A chaotic struggle ensues, each blow fueled by a determination to bring down The Collective. My heart pounds, threatening to give out at any moment. But I can’t stop now. I won’t let them win.
With one final, desperate act, I manage to knock Dr. Langley unconscious. I stumble out of the room, gasping for breath, my heart on the verge of collapse.
The city pulses around me as I make my escape, a lone figure fighting against the darkness. I know the risks, the consequences that come with the truth. But I can’t turn a blind eye to the corruption that plagues this city.
My heart beats on, a fragile rhythm in a world gone mad. And as long as it does, I’ll continue to fight for justice, even if it means sacrificing everything.
This is my story. A tale of heart attacks and mind reading, of darkness and redemption. In this cyberpunk world, where technology and humanity collide, one man stands against the tide—an imperfect hero in an imperfect world.
Author: Opney. Illustrator: Stab. Publisher: Cyber.
