T minus 8 minutes

4:56 PM.

A sharp pulse hammers behind my right eye every time I look at the screen. I press the heel of my palm hard into my temple, clenching my jaw until my teeth ache. The PowerPoint is due at 5:00 PM on the dot.

4:58 PM.

Slack notifications keep stacking in the corner.

Erika: ping
Erika: where is it?
Erika: the boss is joining now

My fingers are sweating on the trackpad. I can barely align the table.

5:00 PM.

Incoming call from my boss. The phone buzzes against the wood. I hit decline.

5:01 PM.

Export. Attach. Send.

The PowerPoint is out.

5:02 PM.

I push back from the desk and let my head drop back. My shoulders are locked stiff, but I start to relax, congratulating myself on the most important delivery of the year. Sixty tabs open. Silence in the room.

5:04 PM.

Sirens start screaming across the city, the power snaps off, and the window turns blinding white.