Chapter 2: The Video
On December 20, 2007, the school was on the verge of a break for Christmas and New Year holidays. Despite the biting cold, Omar was making his way to school, where the deserted streets reflected the weather. Most people had chosen to stay indoors, seeking refuge from the harsh December cold. Oblivious to the chill, Omar's mind was preoccupied with the weight of guilt for a murder he committed on December 3.
"I did it for my family; I did the right thing," Omar whispered to himself, grappling with his internal turmoil. "Or am I justifying my actions? No, I simply did what was right. Did I?" His internal conflict weighed heavily on him.
Upon arriving at school, Omar found it eerily quiet, with only a few teachers present. Unperturbed, he proceeded to his class, attempting to distract himself by engaging in solving math problems on the blackboard. The math teacher quietly observed Omar's efforts and commended, "Excellent, Omar. Your dedication in class will undoubtedly make you the best student in the final exams."
However, Omar, lost in his thoughts, responded, "Knowledge is not about grades, but understanding and knowing how to use them." The teacher smiled and dismissed Omar's concerns, stating, "You are too young to worry about that."
Undeterred, Omar packed his math books and left the class. Deep in contemplation, he headed home, only to discover his mother lying on the floor in distress. Panicking, he called for an ambulance, reassuring his mother, "Stay with me; everything will be fine."
As they rushed his mother to the hospital, Omar's brother arrived, questioning the situation. With no answers, they anxiously waited for news. Moments later, a call from the enigmatic Black Hacker revealed that they had recovered deleted portions of a video related to the December 3 bomb attacks. They requested Omar's presence, but his brother, prioritizing their mother's well-being, declined.
Concerned about both his mother's health and the looming threat of the video, Omar decided he needed to act before more information surfaced. Seeking refuge at home, he powered up his computer, contemplating a plan. The following day, in the pouring rain, Omar attended an interview at C.C.D regarding the events of December 3. He found himself face-to-face with the mysterious Black Hacker, whose appearance resembled Mr. Strange.
Wearing the distinctive mask and sitting peculiarly, Black Hacker addressed Omar, "The video is not in good quality, but we observed someone stalking you. Did something happen?" Anxious but determined not to reveal too much, Omar replied, "I don't know. I am always studying." Sensing there was more to the story.
Realizing that Black Hacker hadn't yet spoken to his brother, Omar felt the urgency to take action. With a sense of determination, he knew he had to intervene before the situation escalated further.
Black Hacker, returning to the room, noticed that the laptop on the table wasn't his. Puzzled, he left to retrieve his own laptop from his office. In his absence, Omar seized the opportunity, swiftly taking control of the laptop. Creating a fake Wi-Fi signal to deceive Black Hacker, Omar skillfully hacked into the system, initiating a search for information on the deleted video.
Omar had strategically planned this move even before the interview with Black Hacker. During a previous visit to the hacker's office, Omar had discreetly swapped the laptops, placing Black Hacker's original device in an inconspicuous location and replacing it with a similar-looking one. The original laptop remained untouched, ensuring that Omar had the necessary information, such as passwords, to gain access later.
As Black Hacker returned with a different laptop, the one Omar hadn't tampered with, he immediately sensed something was amiss. "Someone hacked my laptop, and the only person who knows about this is you," Black Hacker accused, his tone stern. Overwhelmed with fear, Omar attempted to conceal his anxiety as Black Hacker continued, "We have cameras everywhere, and we can see who attempted to hack us. It's no coincidence that the hack occurred when I opened the laptop and left the room."
Caught in a tense moment, Omar grappled with the consequences of his actions and the potential exposure of his involvement in the intricate web of events.
"I'm too confused," stammered Omar, attempting to deflect Black Hacker's growing suspicions. As Black Hacker persisted in trying to access the video, he found it inexplicably missing. Frustration and confusion etched across his face, Black Hacker shifted his focus to Omar, scrutinizing him intently.
As Black Hacker analyzed the situation, it dawned on him that Omar's intentions were more intricate than initially thought. Omar hadn't merely hacked the laptop to delete the video; he had meticulously erased all data from every device connected to Black Hacker. Using a fake Wi-Fi signal laced with a virus, Omar had executed a comprehensive attack on Black Hacker's electronic infrastructure.
In the midst of the unfolding drama, Black Hacker's suspicions toward Omar intensified. The absence of not just the video but all his data fueled a deepening sense of mistrust. Omar, sensing the escalating tension, struggled to find the right words to alleviate the situation.
Amidst the mounting tension, Omar's brother entered the room, unaware of the intricate web of events that had transpired. The air hung heavy with anticipation as the characters in this unfolding drama grappled with the consequences of their actions.
"Omar, what are you doing here?" questioned his brother, entering the room with a mix of curiosity and concern. Omar, caught off guard, hesitated before responding, "I overheard your conversation yesterday, and I wanted to finish this quickly."
"Alright, Omar. Now, Black Hacker, show me the video," demanded his brother, unaware of the complex events that had transpired. Black Hacker, frustrated by the deleted files, began to explain what he had seen. Omar's brother, piecing together the situation, spoke up, "I know who this man is. Omar mentioned someone stalking him in the house and sending a message."
Attempting to deflect suspicion, Omar quickly fabricated a lie, "Don't worry, brother. My friends played a prank on me to scare me." Despite his attempts to reassure, Black Hacker insisted, "I want to talk to them."
"You can't," Omar's brother interjected, "You can only interview people who are part of the problem or are suspicious, not random people." Augustus, Omar's brother, had a valid point, and Black Hacker, acknowledging the limitation, randomly accused, "You are a murderer, Mr. Omar."
Augustus reacted swiftly, slamming Black Hacker and asserting, "You can suspect me, but not him. Omar can't even kill a bird, let alone a human." Tempers flared, and the room erupted into a heated debate. "Calm down, Mr. Haka," urged Black Hacker, but Augustus remained resolute, instructing Omar to go home.
As Omar left the room, the tension lingered, and he couldn't help but feel a sense of relief at his brother's impassioned defense. The unfolding events had taken an unexpected turn, leaving everyone grappling with the consequences of their actions and the complexities of the situation.
The situation eventually calmed down, and Black Hacker proposed, "We need to put some cameras in your house. Is that fine?" Augustus hesitated momentarily and replied, "For me, it's fine, but I need to ask my father too."
"Don't worry, I work with him all the time. Go to your mom and take care of her. Don't forget about your little brother and yourself," assured Black Hacker. Augustus headed to the hospital, eager to see his mother, but before that, he received distressing news from the doctors. His mother had heart cancer, and her condition was critical. The doctors couldn't save her.
Augustus, overwhelmed with grief, struggled to hold back tears but resolved to stay strong for his mother. Upon reaching her bedside, she sensed his distress and inquired, "What's wrong, my dear son?" Augustus hesitated but eventually shared the accusation against his brother by the police.
His mother, despite her fragile condition, smiled and tenderly touched his face, "My dear son, you and I know your brother would never break the rules. Omar is undoubtedly innocent. Don't cry about it. Did the doctor say anything about my condition?" Augustus, not wanting to burden his mother further, lied, "He said everything is fine, but we need to analyze more about your condition."
He left the hospital briefly to buy some flowers and her favorite chocolates. His mother, in a moment of concern, said, "Please, son, give some chocolates to your brother. He likes them too." Augustus assured her and returned to her room with the gifts.
When his father arrived, he learned about the agreement with Black Hacker regarding the cameras. Despite agreeing, Augustus's father emphasized the need to keep Omar unaware of the surveillance, knowing he was innocent. Tall, muscular, and elegant, Augustus's father entered the hospital room with flowers and a delicious soup.
Augustus bid farewell to his parents, promising to return soon. As he left the hospital, a heavy weight of responsibility and concern lingered, but he was determined to support his family through these challenging times.
Returning from a date, Omar's unease heightened as he observed a peculiar occurrence. The time it took for his key to unlock the front door seemed to stretch from the usual three seconds to a lingering five. Brushing it off initially, he entered his house without much thought.
It wasn't until he reached his bedroom that a disconcerting realization set in. The doors, both to the bathroom and his bedroom, along with the main entrance, consistently took longer to open than usual. A growing sense of apprehension enveloped him as he grasped the gravity of the situation – someone, likely the elusive Black Hacker, was stalking him within the confines of his own home.
Stepping outside, Omar scrutinized his surroundings, hoping to catch a glimpse of any covert surveillance cameras. Despite his efforts, the stealthy nature of Black Hacker's intrusion remained elusive. The hidden cameras, if they existed, successfully evaded Omar's watchful eyes.
Contemplating his next move, Omar faced a dilemma. Confronting Black Hacker directly could be perilous, given the mysterious and potentially dangerous nature of the individual. Meanwhile, searching for hidden cameras without specialized equipment proved challenging.
A surge of determination compelled Omar to consider seeking professional assistance. Engaging the services of a private investigator or a security expert skilled in uncovering hidden surveillance devices seemed like a viable option. As the weight of the situation settled on his shoulders, Omar knew he had to tread carefully to unveil the truth and protect his privacy from the enigmatic eyes that lurked within the shadows.
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