Chapter 3: Frozen Success

Across the city, success was only one signature away.

Selene Nimley stood inside the top-floor boardroom of Nimley Maritime Logistics, overlooking the lights of Monrovia Harbor. Cargo ships drifted across the Atlantic while representatives from three international shipping firms waited for her final approval.

“This agreement will reshape regional trade,” one investor said with a smile. “Congratulations, Ms. Nimley.” Selene returned the smile with practiced confidence. She had spent eighteen months negotiating the deal. Every clause had been reviewed, every risk terminated. This was the biggest achievement of her career. As her phone vibrated a call from her Dad came through, she ignored it because she felt business came first. The lawyer slid the contract toward her, whenever you’re ready. Selene uncapped her pen and lowered it to the signature line and without any warning, an icy numbness crept through her fingertips and then she paused for a moment. The sensation spread into her wrist and then arm. She frowned and tried to shake it off, but the numbness only deepened. Her pen slipped onto the polished table. “Ms. Nimley?” the lawyer asked. She opened her mouth to answer yet nothing came. The cold rushed through both shoulders before sinking into her chest and legs. Fear gripped her. She pushed against the chair, trying to stand but her body refused.

“I… can’t…” The words barely escaped. Everyone around the table rose at once. One executive hurried to her side while another reached for his phone. “Call an ambulance!”

Selene stared helplessly at her motionless legs, she could still feel her heartbeat and could still think but from her waist down, her body no longer belonged to her. Her phone rang again and this time, she answered with trembling fingers.

“Dad…” A sharp cry echoed through the speaker.…I can’t move my legs, then Manni’s strained voice broke through. “Selene, listen to me. Don’t sign anything.” Her breath caught. For several long seconds, Manni said nothing. When he finally spoke, his voice was barely a whisper. “Because it has started.”