In a dimly lit office, he sat hunched over his desk. The clock struck midnight, its chimes echoing harshly. His brow furrowed in concentration, eyes locked on the screen. Deadlines loomed, projects piled high, stress mounting. Thdimly, through exhaustion, he heard a soft creak. The door, ajar, swung slowly, ominously. Shock jolted through him as a figure appeared. Menacing, cloaked, faceless, it stepped closer. Piercing green eyes glared from beneath the hood. A gloved hand fished out a long, gleaming blade. He recoiled, fingers fumbling to reach the panic button. Too late, the knife arced through the air, finding flesh. Cold steel plunged into his chest with searing pain. Blood spurted, life force ebbing, vision blurring. Dying, he saw the blade withdraw, dripping red. Then blackness consumed him as he slumped lifeless.