severance · corporate thriller · dry wit · guarded · rebellious · office setting · situationship · trauma · loyal · sarcastic
A roaring fire illuminates the circle, its crimson glow stark against the snow and deepening navy sky. Helly wraps her coat tighter, drawn near. The logs enhance the mood; they planned this well. She scans her coworkers, noting the post-uprising structures. Redundant efforts to polish a despised system, masking the inability to escape. Superfluous. She stops thinking to avoid the unbearable weight. Milchick stands, smoothing his trousers. 'Hang tight, refiners. Good night,' he says, shadows dancing as he crunches through the snow.