The Risk Novels & Stories

"We stand to receive five times what we put in. That is not speculation, it is in the documents in front of you. That return is how we recover." A beat of silence, then the room fractured into low murmuring. Chairs shifted. Some members leaned toward each other, exchanging cautious looks. Others had their eyes on the documents, fingers turning pages "This is still a huge risk," Albert said. "Everything worth doing carries risk." Wilson's voice cut cleanly through the noise. The murmuring died.

Gamma exolained, and even though I did not fully understand what he meant, I understood that it would have a saving effect on Avira. "Are there any risks involved?" it was Dylan who asked, and again, I wondered why I didn't think of it first. "Sadly, there are great risks involved," Gamma replied. Great risks sounded like too much risk but so did doing nothing. "What are the risks involved?" I asked. I hated that this was becoming more complicated than I had thought it would be. "Should anything go wrong," Gamna started to say, looking from Dylan to me. I braced up for what was coming, I needed no one to tell me that it wasn't going to be good.

“That’s not what you said last night.” “Jackass,” I said and swatted his chest. “Things are pretty tense in there.” “Yeah. Phin doesn’t want the additional risks or diluting our resources. Sid is convinced the combination will make us a sitting target.” “They’re both kinda right.” “They are, but the risks are too great not to do this.” “We don’t even know what the risks truly are,” I reminded him. “If there’s even a hint of a risk that I could lose you, I don’t care how small, or imagined… I will move the heavens to eliminate that risk.”

“And another?” “Deteriorating.” Silence follows that. Not dramatic. Just… settled. Because once a word like that enters the room— It stays. Hargrove steps in again. “We’re not here to debate terminology,” he says. “We’re here to address risk.” “There is always risk,” I reply. “Not at this level.” “There’s nothing here that can’t be contained.” A pause. Then— “That’s the concern.” I don’t react. Externally. Internally, the shift is clear.

"Now, I want you to trust me big time, Cm. I want a deal with you." "What is it?" She heaved a sigh and closed her eyes. "Let's have an alliance. Let's fight my brother together!" I was shocked. At first, I was hesitant to agree but I saw how her eyes screamed determination and braveness. I nodded. "Let's have an alliance." I know it's risky. But for her, for the city and the people, I will do everything. Even if it cost my death.

Not risk. Leverage. The kind that destabilizes control. The kind that rewrites outcomes. The kind that survives impact— and shifts it.

Because she felt it too. That subtle and unresolved tension. The voice spoke again. “Coexistence… introduces instability.” Zara rolled her eyes. “Everything introduces instability to you.” But the voice continued. “Instability increases unpredictability.” I frowned. “Define risk.” A pause, then... “Uncontrolled divergence.” The words settled heavy because we had focused on balance. But balance is fragile and Melissa’s voice was quiet. “How much risk?” The silence was longer this time then... “Unknown.” That was worse than any defined threat.

A disdainful voice interrupted everyone's thoughts. They all turned to look in the direction of the voice. Richeal Yill said with disdain, "since it's innovations, there is risk. If the result is not ideal, who will take the risk?" "Is there no risk without innovations?" Kacy raised her eyebrows and asked in reply. "Yes, since it is an investment, there will always be risks." Someone whispered in agreement. After all, no matter what kind of project it was, no one dared to say that it was one hundred percent successful before it started.

I might not be able to keep my distance anymore. And that was the most dangerous risk of all. ***