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Read Chapter ONE
THE SERPENT'S C💀DE
BY JOHN CHILLER
copyright 2024 All rights reserved.
Chapter 1: The Message
It's late, Friday morning. In a fog, Zack Zennon wakes up with a nasty hangover, his head fumbling as if caught in a dryer. The room is strangely tilting, a slow, nauseating spin that makes him grip the edge of his bed for sanity.
Blinking against the harsh light that floods through a crack in the curtains, for a moment, he can't place where he is. The clock reads 11 AM—panic sets in. "Oh shit," he whispers, "I'm really late for work again."
Memories of the previous night are hazy; a bar, heavy conversation, thought-provoking words exchanged—but the specifics elude him. It's all a blur. He stumbles to the bathroom, the cold tiles a shock against his bare feet. The cold water from the tap splashes over his face, a desperate attempt to wash away the remnants of his stupor. Meet Zack Zennon, a man caught between oblivion and the impending doom of a mid life crisis at 30, grappling with the notion of a bleak future that seemed increasingly uncertain.
Last night, he had been deep in conversation with Leo, a fellow friend discussing his usual conspiracies and now this, biblical verses that promised a hidden power. Zack had dismissed it at the time and in a drunken state offended Leo, but now, curiosity pricked at his consciousness.
I think I need to remember last night's conversation, he hopes.
It's a new day, Zack stares into the mirror, his reflection a pale testament to the night's excesses. "Man, am I going to regret today or what? Or I'm winning the lottery! What am I doing with my life?"
As he stares at his disheveled image, a sudden knock jolts him back to the moment. “Zack, are you okay?” The voice is muffled but unmistakable. Huh? It’s my boss? Confusion washes over him—how did I get to work? The last thing he remembers is the spinning room, the bar, the conversation. Now, here he is, in the company bathroom, his sanctuary of solitude breached.
“You’re late again. What’s going on?” His boss's voice is tinged with concern but underscored by frustration.
Zack takes a deep breath, steadying himself against the sink.
“I’m sorry, sir. I don’t know what happened. I must have had too much to drink last night.”
He opens the door to face his boss, the skepticism in his eyes a clear message. “You know that’s not an excuse, right? You’re on thin ice here, Zack. You need to get your act together.”
Zack nods, a mix of embarrassment and resolve taking hold. He heads to his desk, the reality of his situation settling in—he is at work, and it's time to face the music.
The world outside, a dystopia where thought is rare and digital chains bind the masses...
Zack's internal battle with the existential dread of his world mirrors a common sentiment.
Nature has been relegated to the periphery, existing only within the confines of well-groomed parks and virtual reality experiences that offer a cleansed impression of wilderness. The climate had turned volatile, with severe weather events now a regular occurrence. Although governments and corporations pledged remedies, their efforts were often lethargic and self-serving, with profitability taking precedence over ecological preservation.
The fluorescent lights flicker above as Zack settles into the worn grooves of his desk chair.
The office is silent, save for the distant, almost imperceptible hum of machinery—an omnipresent reminder of the corporation's ceaseless operation. He powers up his workstation, the screen's glow casting long shadows across the cluttered expanse of his desk.
In a world where the digital revolution has reached its pinnacle, freedom comes at a steep price.
In 2029, Cities have transformed into vast mazes of steel and glass, impressive yet suffocating under the weight of pollution and radiation that blankets the sky. The populace roams the streets, entranced by the screens they hold, blind to their surroundings. Above, drones buzz incessantly, symbols of the omnipresent surveillance by corporations and governments eager to capitalize on every facet of human existence.
Unraveling the mystery of his destiny and traversing an alien landscape, he is faced with a choice: to yield to the digital onslaught or to unearth the concealed truths that could challenge the established order. His path is one of introspection, a pursuit of significance in a world that appears to have neglected the essence of the human soul.
In this reality, the notion of freedom is but a mirage. Choices, ranging from the brand of coffee one consumes to the news one consumes, are manipulated by algorithms designed to steer behavior. Privacy has become a rare commodity, its significance lost on many. The idea of being 'offline' is now a myth, a nostalgic tale recounted to children about a bygone era free from the internet's entanglement.
As the computer comes to life, a chill runs down his spine.
It's not the usual cold of the overzealous air conditioning; it's something else, a sense of foreboding that he can't quite shake. He glances around the office, the rows of empty cubicles bathed in a harsh, artificial light that seems to leach the color from everything it touches.
Information saturates the air, an endless deluge of data that binds the world in a tight net of connectivity. Despite this, genuine human connection has become a rarity. Conversations have dwindled to superficial exchanges of emojis and likes, while the art of engaging, profound dialogue—such as Zack's recent bar encounter—has become an antiquated practice, dismissed for its lack of efficiency compared to the terse communication favored by social media.
Zack's inbox is a digital abyss, filled with the usual memos and reminders, but one email stands out—a message from Leo, marked with an urgent flag. The subject line is just a string of numbers and letters, code-like and cryptic. He clicks on it, and the message is brief: "Found something. Meet me."
Attached is a file, its name just as enigmatic as the email itself. Zack hesitates for a moment before opening it. The file contains a single link, a URL that seems to pulse with a strange urgency on the screen. He hovers the cursor over it, the office's silence now oppressive, the weight of unseen eyes upon him.
With a click, the link opens a page so stark and outdated it feels like a relic from another era. "The Hidden Secrets of the Bible: How to Unlock the Power of God," the title reads, a stark contrast to the sterile, data-driven world of the corporation. As he scrolls, the words on the screen blur, and Zack's heart races. The conversation from the bar, Leo's intense gaze, the verses spoken in hushed tones—all of it floods back to him.
Could this be what he was referring to? Is this the knowledge that could upend the corporate-dominated world he's ensnared in?
Zack leaned in closer, the screen's blue light reflecting in his wide eyes. He began to read, unaware that this moment marked a turning point, a step down a path from which there is no return:
"And lo, in the days of tumult, there shall be a whisper among the stones,
A voice concealed from the eyes of the many, but clear to the seeker alone.
It speaks of a kingdom not of this earth, where the meek shall inherit the throne,
And the chains of the captives are broken, by the truth that is silently known."
And somewhere, in the depths of the building, a security camera adjusted its focus, zooming in on the lone figure at his desk, about to uncover secrets that were never meant to be found.
The office now felt different, charged with a tension that Zack had never noticed before.
It's as if the very walls were watching, waiting to see what he would do next. And somewhere, in the depths of the building, a security camera adjusted its focus, zooming in on the lone figure at his desk, about to uncover secrets that were never meant to be found.
Zack is shocked and fascinated by what he reads. He feels a strange attraction to the website. He wants to know more. He wants to learn the secrets of the Bible. He wants to unlock the power of God. He clicks on the link.
"The Hidden Secrets of the Bible: How to Unlock the Power of God,"
“Have you ever wondered if there’s more to the Bible than meets the eye? Have you ever felt that there’s a hidden message behind the words that could reveal the true nature of reality? Have you ever wanted to tap into the power of God and use it for your own benefit? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you’ve come to the right place. In this website, you will learn the secrets of the Bible that have been kept hidden for centuries by a secret society of elite scholars and priests. You will discover how to decode the symbols and metaphors that conceal the true meaning of the scriptures. You will find out how to activate the latent abilities that lie dormant within, how to harness the power of God for your own purposes.
Whether you want to heal yourself or others, attract wealth and success, influence people and events, or even perform miracles, you will find the tools and techniques you need in this website. All you have to do is follow the instructions and practice the exercises. You will be amazed by the results. But be warned: this knowledge is not for everyone. It is dangerous and powerful. It can be used for good or evil. It can make you a saint or a sinner. It can save you or destroy you. It can set you free or enslave you. The choice is yours. Are you ready to take the risk? Are you ready to enter the hidden world of the Bible? If so, then begin your journey now and sign up.”
Zack's fingers hover over the mouse, the cursor poised on the edge of revelation as the website's contents blur into the background. A sudden rush of memories floods his senses, transporting him back to the dimly lit corners of the bar from the night before. Leo's face swims into focus, earnest and intense, as he thrusts his phone towards Zack, urging him to look at the link—the very same link that now glows ominously on Zack's screen.
CONTINUE READING
http://TheSerpentsCode.blogspot.com
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