The Reaper's Severance
Instead, he handed me a folder of my own. My termination papers.
Fine. So this is what it feels like to be the blade they use and then discard.
If my name is on the list, then theyre about to find out just how terrifying the Reaper can be when she comes for you.
1
"Ava, take a look at this list. I need them processed by Monday."
I took the folder from Robert Peterson, our CEO, my stomach already tightening with a familiar dread. Another list. Another round of lives to upend.
I opened it. A dozen names, all familiar, stared back at me. One of them, Frank Miller, had been a senior engineer here for eight years, three of which wed spent working on projects together.
"Mr. Peterson," I began, testing the waters. "Frank is a cornerstone of the tech department. Are we sure about this?"
A frown creased his forehead. "Ava, you know the position we're in. We have to be lean. Youve been at this for five months. Don't tell me you're getting soft now."
I pressed my lips together. He was right. For five months, I had been the company's Grim Reaper. One hundred and eighty soulsor rather, jobssent into the ether on my watch.
"Besides," Peterson added, a knowing glint in his eye, "once we get through this quarter's restructuring, that promotion is all yours. Director of HR. You know how many people would kill for that spot."
That was the shot of adrenaline I needed. My hesitation vanished. For that title, for that corner office, for the promise of finally making it, I could handle one last list. I could be ruthless one more time.
"I understand, sir. It will be done by Monday." I nodded, closing the folder and sliding it into my desk drawer.
"Attagirl." He clapped me on the shoulder, his face breaking into a satisfied grin. "Ava, you're the most effective HR manager I've ever seen."
His praise was a warm balm, soothing the unease in my gut. All the anxiety, all the guilt, melted away.
As I walked back to my desk, I felt their eyes on me. The glares were a mix of contempt, fear, and a sick kind of relief that it wasn't them.
I was used to it.
Since the layoffs began, my name had become poison. Id heard the whispers: "The Hatchet Woman." "The Vulture." "That soulless corporate witch."
But who cares what they called me?
Once I was Ava Morgan, Director of Human Resources, their whispers wouldn't matter. I pictured the doubled salary, the spacious office with a view, and my mood lifted instantly.
Back in my chair, I began my work, pulling up the file for each name on the list. Years of service, technical skills, project contributionsI meticulously copied the key details into my personal, encrypted notebook. It was a habit of mine. The official company files were comprehensive, but my own records were cleaner, more useful. They helped me do my job.
2
Monday morning, I began sending the death sentences.
"Frank, could you come by my office when you have a moment?"
The silence on the other end of the line was heavy, broken only by a soft sigh. He already knew. In the current climate at Ascend, a summons from Ava Morgan was a pink slip waiting to happen.
Ten minutes later, he walked in. The eight-year veteran, one of our best engineers, looked exhausted. Dark circles hung under his eyes.
"Have a seat," I said, gesturing to the chair opposite my desk. I had rehearsed the script a thousand times in my head.
"Ava, let's just get to it," he said with a bitter smile. "It's my turn, isn't it?"
I nodded, pulling his prepared severance package from the drawer. "The company has decided on another round of personnel optimization. Unfortunately"
"Spare me the corporate bullshit," Frank cut in, his eyes sharp with scorn. "We've worked together for three years. Don't pretend this is anything other than what it is. What's the package?"
I pushed the documents across the desk. "Two months' severance for every year of service. It's more than the standard. Its the best I could get for you."
He let out a short, harsh laugh. "Generous. Eight years of my life for a few months' pay." His gaze hardened, pinning me to my chair. "Do you even realize what you're doing, Ava? You're gutting this company, kicking your own colleagues to the curb, all for that director title he's dangling in front of you."
His words were a direct hit, striking a nerve deep inside me. I kept my face a mask of professional calm. "This is a corporate decision, Frank. It's not personal."
"Isn't it?" He stood, looking down at me. "Then you'd better pray you never end up in our shoes. You think Peterson's promises are worth anything? He'll kick you to the curb the second you're no longer useful to him."
His warning felt like a shard of ice in my chest. I suppressed the feeling, forcing my voice to remain flat. "Please have your affairs in order by Wednesday."
Frank just shook his head, picked up the folder, and walked out without another word.
That scene repeated itself more than a dozen times that day. With every person I let go, I felt a small piece of my own soul chip away. But the thought of the promotion, the finish line, was all that kept me going.
Before leaving for the day, I compiled all the signed documents, ready for Peterson in the morning. This was it. The final list. After this, I could shed this Reaper persona and finally claim the throne I had bled for.
A flicker of triumph cut through my exhaustion. I opened my laptop, updating my private spreadsheet one last time. As of today, I had terminated 196 employees, saving Ascend Corp an estimated 0-0.56 million in annual payroll.
The numbers were my justification. My proof of worth.
I walked out of the office with my head held high, ignoring the way people averted their eyes and fell silent as I passed.
It wouldn't be long now. Soon, they wouldn't see the Reaper. They would see Ms. Morgan, the Director.
3
"Excellent work, Ava."
Mr. Peterson scanned the files I handed him, nodding in satisfaction. "The personnel optimization plan is officially complete."
I couldn't help but stand a little straighter, my expression full of anticipation. "Sir, about my promotion"
"Right, about that." He smiled faintly, reaching into his desk drawer. He pulled out a single, familiar folder. Pale blue, with the small "HR" logo in the bottom corner.
My heart stopped.
For six months, I had been the one pulling termination letters from those folders, placing them in the hands of others.
This time, he was handing the folder to me.
"I don't understand," I managed to say, my fingers trembling as I took it.
Petersons smile remained, but his eyes had turned to ice. "The company has decided on a complete overhaul of the Human Resources department. Your position has been eliminated."
I shot to my feet, nearly knocking my chair over. "What are you talking about? I did everything you asked. You promised me"
"Circumstances have changed," he said, his voice clipped and final. "This new phase for Ascend requires a fresh HR team. One without the historical baggage."
I stared at him, speechless. The air had been punched from my lungs.
He glanced at me, his tone softening just enough to be insulting. "Ava, you've done a lot for us, and we appreciate it. Per company policy, you're entitled to a standard severance. But for your unique contributions, I've personally authorized the same enhanced package you've been giving out."
The same package. The exact same one I had just given Frank.
The room began to spin. A hot rush of blood roared in my ears.
"You can't do this," I said, my voice shaking with rage. "I laid off nearly two hundred people for you. I took all the hate for it. You know the reputation I have now! You promised me the director position!"
For a fleeting moment, something flickered in his eyespity? guilt?but it was gone as quickly as it came. "Business is war, Ava. Plans change. You, of all people, should understand that."
"I don't understand!" I was practically shouting now. "This is a betrayal!"
His face hardened. "Watch your tone. The company is providing you with a fair severance, which is more than generous. Don't forget, there's a line of people out there who would kill for a job here."
I took a deep, shuddering breath, forcing myself to find some semblance of calm. "Then tell me who's replacing me."
He hesitated. "Chloe Jenkins. The junior director from Marketing. She's sharp, has fresh ideas."
Chloe? The kid whod been here barely six months? I almost laughed out loud. "Mr. Peterson, she doesn't even know basic labor law."
"She'll have a team to support her," he said, his patience clearly gone. "Ava, it's done. Theres nothing more to discuss. Have your desk cleared out in three days. HR will handle your exit."
He stood up, the universal signal for "get out."
I walked out of his office in a daze, the pale blue folder clutched in my hand, a ringing in my ears. Back at my desk, I numbly opened it. The termination letter, with my name printed in neat, black ink, felt like an artifact from another dimension.
Hours ago, I was the one issuing these. Now, I was the one receiving it.
The eyes of my colleagues were on me again, but this time the emotions were different. There was shock, a little pity, but mostly, a chillingly familiar indifference. It was the same look I had given every person I had fired.
"Karma's a bitch," I muttered with a humorless smile.
Frank's voice echoed in my head. He'll kick you to the curb the second you're no longer useful to him.
A strange heat bloomed in my chest. It wasn't just anger. It was the profound, burning shame of being played for a fool.
4
The clock hit five, and the office began to empty out.
I remained at my desk, staring blankly at my monitor.
My personal notebook lay on the desk, the one filled with the data of every single person I had let go. Names, positions, skills, major contributions all the ammunition I had used to carry out my orders. Now, it looked like a monument to my own stupidity.
I flipped through the pages idly. My eyes caught on a name, then another.
Wait a second. This data
My mind started racing as I scanned the pages. An idea, audacious and cold, began to take shape.
Peterson wanted a "lean" company, did he? He was so proud of the million and a half dollars I'd saved him.
But what would be the cost if all that talent Id cut loose ended up at his biggest competitor?
A slow, icy smile spread across my face.
I shoved the notebook into my bag, shut down my computer, and walked out of Ascend Corp for the last time as an employee.
That night, back in my small apartment, I didn't collapse into bed. I opened my laptop and began to organize the information from my notebook, focusing on the high-level tech talent. What was the real damage their absence would cause?
I pulled up a job search site and looked up Ascend's main rival, Apex Solutions.
Just as I suspected. They were on a hiring spree, and their posted salary ranges were significantly higher than what we paid.
After a moment's hesitation, I created a new, anonymous email address. I drafted a short message to the head of HR at Apex Solutions.
[> Subject: High-Value Talent Pool
To Whom It May Concern,
I have access to a curated list of highly qualified tech professionals with extensive industry experience. If you are looking to acquire top-tier talent, I invite you to a discussion.]
After hitting send, I closed the laptop and lay back on my bed, staring at the ceiling. Half a year as the Reaper, and now I was about to become a shepherd, leading the flock to a greener pasture. The irony was thick enough to choke on.
But this was the perfect revenge. It was legal, professional, and it would hit Robert Peterson right where it hurt the most: his bottom line.
The next morning, a reply from Apex was waiting in my inbox. They wanted to meet. Today.
"Well, that was fast," I murmured, sending back a confirmation.
At the office, while gathering my things, Chloethe chosen oneapproached my desk.
"Ava," she began, looking deeply uncomfortable. "I heard that you"
"That I got canned? Yep," I said, my face a blank mask. "Congratulations on the promotion."
Her cheeks flushed. "Ava, I swear I had no idea. Mr. Peterson only told me yesterday"
"Don't worry about it. It's just business," I said with a dismissive wave of my hand, pushing a stack of files toward her. "Here's the latest project pipeline. You should get up to speed."
Chloe took them, but hesitated. "How can you be so calm? If it were me"
"What's not to be calm about?" I looked up at her. "I fired almost two hundred people. Now it's my turn. It's only fair, isn't it?"
My words left her speechless. She stammered, "Well what are your plans? Do you want me to see if I can put in a good word for you somewhere?"
I had to suppress a cold laugh. A rookie with six months of experience was going to give me a referral? Still, I kept my tone polite. "Thanks, Chloe, but I have my own plans."
She nodded and scurried away.
At three o'clock, I was sitting in a quiet corner of a downtown caf. The HR Director from Apex, a sharp woman in her thirties named Sarah, got straight to the point after shaking my hand.
"So, what's your story?"
"Former HR Manager at Ascend Corp," I replied, equally direct. "I was just let go. I have a deep understanding of your talent needs and where to find the perfect candidates."
Her eyes lit up with interest. "Oh? And who did you have in mind?"
I slid a neatly prepared dossier across the table. "This is a list of top-tier tech talent. All of them are industry leaders with proven track records on major projects."
She scanned the first page, her eyebrows rising. By the second page, her expression was one of pure excitement. "This is these are all from Ascend, aren't they?"
"Yes. All recently laid off," I confirmed. "And their current project expertise aligns perfectly with your company's recently announced strategic initiatives."
"This is incredible," she breathed, closing the file. "We're trying to staff three critical projects right now. These people could fill every gap we have. Can you connect us?"
I smiled. "Of course. But first we should discuss my commission."
"Naturally," she said without hesitation. "Standard rate is fifteen percent of the candidate's first-year salary. For key personnel like these, we can go up to twenty."
I did some quick math. A senior engineer like Frank pulled in at least $250,000 a year. Twenty percent of that was fifty grand. If I placed even half this list Id make more than Peterson had ever promised me.
"Deal." I extended my hand, and we shook on it. "I look forward to working with you."
On the way home, I felt something I hadn't felt in months: genuine, unadulterated joy.
This wasn't just revenge. This was a brilliant business opportunity.
That night, I started making calls. The first message went to the man whose curse had become my prophecy.
[> Frank? It's Ava Morgan. I have a job opportunity I think you'll want to hear about.]
He replied almost instantly.
[> You've got a hell of a nerve.]
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