The next morning, Joneb submitted his application.
He had completed every requirement, including the written request for the correction of his service record.
The personnel officer accepted the documents.
“Your application is complete,” she said.
“Thank you.”
“Just wait for the next announcement.”
Joneb nodded.
He walked out of the office feeling lighter.
Whatever happened next, he had at least submitted his application properly.
He had done his part.
That afternoon, Mr. Valder called him.
“Joneb, come here.”
He entered the supervisor's office.
“Sit down.”
On the desk was a folder.
“I heard you applied for the vacant position.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Good.”
Joneb was surprised by the response.
“I hope to be considered, sir.”
“Of course. You've been with us for some time.”
Mr. Valder opened the folder.
“I actually wanted to discuss something with you.”
“What is it, sir?”
“There are some documents that need to be finalized before the next financial review.”
Joneb waited.
“Some transactions require adjustments. Minor corrections. Nothing unusual.”
“Are the supporting documents available?”
“Some are still being completed.”
Joneb looked at the folder.
“Then perhaps we should wait until they are complete.”
Mr. Valder smiled.
“You are very careful.”
“I just want the records to be accurate, sir.”
“Accuracy is important. But so is efficiency.”
He pushed a document toward Joneb.
“Review this and sign the certification.”
Joneb read it.
The certification stated that the transactions had been examined and found to be supported by complete documentation.
He looked at the attached papers.
Several supporting documents were missing.
“Sir, I cannot certify that the supporting documents are complete.”
Mr. Valder's expression changed.
“Why?”
“Because they are not here.”
“They will be attached later.”
“Then perhaps the certification should be signed after they are attached.”
Mr. Valder leaned back.
“You make things difficult.”
“I don't intend to, sir.”
The supervisor tapped the paper.
“Listen. I know you want that position.” Read this novel at g.com for the best experience.
Joneb remained silent.
“I can help you.”
The words hung in the air.
Mr. Valder continued.
“People who know how to cooperate are often given opportunities.”
Joneb understood the offer.
It was not written anywhere.
There was no formal agreement.
But its meaning was clear.
He looked at the certification.
Then he looked at the supervisor.
“Sir, I appreciate your confidence in me. But I cannot sign something I have not verified.”
Mr. Valder slowly closed the folder.
“Think about your future.”
“I do, sir.”
“Then think carefully.”
Joneb left the office.
For the rest of the afternoon, he could not concentrate.
He had refused.
But he knew the consequences might be serious.
The promotion he wanted could become even more difficult to obtain.
His colleagues might begin avoiding him.
His supervisor might find other ways to make his work harder.
At home, he found Amira checking the household budget.
She had arranged their expenses into columns.
Food.
Electricity.
Water.
Transportation.
School expenses.
Joneb stood behind her.
“Still calculating?”
Amira looked up.
“Trying to make everything fit.”
He pulled a chair beside her.
“Did it?”
“Not yet.”
He smiled weakly.
She noticed his expression.
“What happened?”
“Something at the office.”
“Another problem?”
He nodded.
He told her about the certification and the pressure to sign.
Amira listened carefully.
When he finished, she put down her pen.
“Did you sign it?”
“No.”
“Then you did the right thing.”
“What if it affects my promotion?”
Amira looked at him.
Joneb looked at the budget sheet.
“No.”
“Then you already know what to do.”
He held her hand.
For a moment, the pressure seemed manageable.
That night, however, the brass key began to glow.
Joneb found himself standing inside the archive.
Elyra was waiting.
“You refused the offer,” she said.
“Yes.”
“Good.”
“Was that a test?”
“Everything is a test when someone is trying to discover what you are willing to surrender.”
Joneb approached the table.
“What happens now?”
“Now they will try another way.”
“Who?”
“The people who benefit from the altered records.”
He looked at the shelves.
“Why don't you stop them?”
“We have tried.”
“And?”
Elyra pointed toward the empty spaces.
“They have already removed several of our guardians.”
Joneb looked at the missing shelves.
“Can they erase everyone?”
“Not everyone. But they can make a person difficult to remember.”
He thought of Armand.
“Can you restore him?”
“Not without the original record.”
“Where is it?”
Elyra pointed to a dark corridor.
“Somewhere inside the Hall of Sealed Entries.”
“Then let's go.”
Elyra shook her head.
“Not yet.”
“Why?”
“Because the Hall opens only to someone who has already lost something.”
Joneb frowned.
“What have I lost?”
Elyra looked at him.
“Your trust in the people who were supposed to protect you.”
Before he could respond, a distant bell rang.
A new page appeared on the table.
It contained a list of names.
Several were crossed out.
At the bottom was Joneb's name.
Beside it was a blank space.
“What does that mean?” he asked.
Elyra closed the book.
“It means they have started preparing a place for you.”