OBP
Critical Moment
James Henderson lies silently peering over the crest of a small hillside, watching history slowly unfold before his eyes. In contrast to his motionless body, his mind is ablaze with chaotic activity. How has his life become so completely out of control? He isn’t a killer. Until only a few weeks ago, when this incredible chain of events began, he had never committed so much as an act of mild aggression, let alone considered murdering someone in cold blood. Yet here he lies, staring at the head of his unsuspecting victim through the telescopic sight of a high-powered rifle. All he needs now is the nerve and decisiveness to pull the trigger.
It will not end there, of course. That single act – the assassination of one solitary individual – will trigger a cascade of unstoppable events. And once he has committed himself, he will have to continue until his task is complete. A succession of confused men will have to die, each one having absolutely no understanding of where their own demise – or that of their colleagues – has come from.
Nausea washes over James as yet another overwhelming surge of adrenaline-soaked confusion courses through his body. His mind is spiralling towards insanity as the enormity of his intentions, once again, explodes into vivid clarity. It is as if he keeps waking from a nightmare, only to discover that reality is precisely the same. He is increasingly aware of the immense power he so precariously holds at his fingertips – the power to start a chain of events that will dramatically alter the course of history from this moment on.
The opportunity to do nothing has long since passed; the future is already feeling the effects of his actions so far, but those actions are nothing compared to what he is about to do next. He is moments from triggering events of biblical proportions, events that will fundamentally influence the moral and spiritual development of humanity for centuries to come.
That is, of course, assuming he can clear his mind and decide what action to take. The moment he has dedicated his entire life to reaching is now upon him – the culmination of endless study, meticulous planning, and unrelenting endeavour, is impatiently awaiting his next move – but the final moments of his quest are being dominated by doubt and hesitation.
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