A not so impossible mission

The next day, you find yourself standing in front of the library at the appointed time. It’s a simple building, two stories, brick walls, nothing unusual. And yet, today, it seems somehow…intimidating. You shake your head, glancing around before heading inside. No one pays you any special attention.

The librarian behind the desk at the front smiles at you as you walk in, and you nod in greeting. Seeing after a moment that you don’t have any questions, she returns to the computer she’s typing on, as you walk towards back of the main hall. There’s several computers in cubicles there, with only a couple occupied.

Selecting a cubicle which faces away from the entrance, you sit down, pulling the drive from your pocket. After another glance around, you plug the drive into the computer. There’s a pause, and then a window opens with the contents of the drive; a single executable file. You open the file, and there’s a soft hum as the computer begins working, a new window opening on the screen with scrolling code that is unintelligible to you. To hide what’s happening, you open an internet browser and begin scrolling through a random news site.

Your nervousness makes it hard to concentrate on what you’re reading, but it doesn’t really matter. You scroll through inconsequential information, while you wait for some confirmation that the program has finished. Fortunately, the library is especially quiet today, and no one comes wandering around near you.

You are just starting to relax when the computer beeps, causing you to practically jump out of your seat. A new window opens, with a single line on it.

Operation completed, wiping drive…

After a moment more, the window closes. Curious, you open the drive again, and see it’s now blank. You pull it out and pocket it again, and go back to browsing, not wanting to seem suspicious. Thankfully, no one seems to have cared about the noise, and you’re left alone. After about ten more minutes, you close the browser and head for the exit. The librarian smiles at you again as you hurry out the door, pausing only to throw the drive in the trash like you’re supposed to.

You walk back to your car and sit down with a sigh. You’re sweating a bit, and you wipe your brow as you take a deep breath. As you do, your phone buzzes in your pocket. When you check, it’s a text message from an unknown number.

You have been successful. Thank you for your help. We will be in touch. Check your bank account.

You groan, having hoped that you had done all you needed to do for this organization. You’re really not cut out for this sort of thing. Shaking your head, you open your banking app, and nearly drop your phone in surprise. There’s far more money in there than you expected. Whoever is paying you for this, they gave you nearly as much as you would make in a year, for such a small task!

You lean back in your seat, taking another calming breath. Pocketing your phone, you start the car, and drive off, heading towards your apartment. It’s been an interesting day, but now it’s time to get back to the things that matter to you.