I should’ve known better than to snub my instinct… I should have. But that doesn’t matter now, does it? Because I’m awake yet unaware. My eyes are open, yet I cannot see. Holy Fuck, just what have I gotten myself into?

I got released from the hospital shortly after six; it was just getting dark out. Dad managed to arrive some minutes before my release and was able to give Alaya some peace of mind. We stopped off at the Pharmacy on our way home to get the pain medication the Doctor prescribed. I tried not to, but I was clearly not acting like myself. The images… they just kept taunting me.

“Hey, are you alright?”

Huh? When did the car stop moving?

“Nick, I asked if you’re alright.”

Oh, I’m home

“Yes dad, everything’s okay. Would you stop talking to me like I’m a child?”

We got out the car, left the driveway to headed in. We entered my one bedroom Bachelor pad and I immediately went to my kitchen and sought out my personal pain reliever.

“Alcohol… is that really the brightest of ideas?”Dad scolded.

“It is to me.”

He casually walked around like he usually does; finding every reason in the book to attack my 'unsuitable living conditions'.

“When are you going to settle down?”

Here we go again!

I couldn’t help but laugh every time he brought that up. Who said anything about settling down? I’m a 24-year-old 6’2, 165 lb of sheer good-lookingness. “I’ll go for it when you do,” I teased. My provocation always had the same effect- no effect at all.

He already knew the answer to that question, yet he asks it every time almost as if he were expecting a miraculously new response.

“Listen, I got to go. But I need to talk to you about something important. I’ll swing by around 12 tomorrow for lunch. Okay?”

“Sure, whatever.” I jumped on my couch after stripping, leaving only my boxers and decorating the floor with my clothes. I’m not an untidy guy, but right now, I really don’t give a fuck. I just need a good night’s rest, is what I told myself. Knowing full well that wasn't true.

It’s terrifying enough knowing that from the moment you are born, the only thing that is certain about your life, is death! How cruel of the Gods to show me how…What kind of messed up punishment is this?

*Ding Dong*

I woke up to the sound of my doorbell. Shit, what time is it?

As I dragged myself to the door, I kept wondering who that could possibly be? The only two people crazy enough to visit my home both have a spare key.

“Dad, what the hell are you doing? You have a key!”

He goadingly looked me in the eyes and walked right past me, “Yet, I didn’t use it.”He got in and took control of my apartment as usual, “At least hire a damn maid if you won’t get married. You live like a pig!”

"Are you assuming that a wife would do the cleaning up around here?"

"No, I expect her to make you do it."

He made breakfast, and we sat down to eat. It was 10:20 am. So much for mid-day Dad?

“I have something for you.” While saying this, he took out an envelope from his jacket.

“What’s that?” I asked.

“That envelope contains information on the whereabouts of your birth-parents.”

This particular moment made me really sad. Not because I was bitter towards the people that left me on a staircase as a baby, even though I was; but because I spat out perfectly good eggs.

“What did you just say?”

“I said…”

“I heard what you said! How dare you?” I got up from my chair in rage. I couldn’t believe what I heard, or worst, what I was saying to my old man. “I told you, those people are not my parents!”

I looked down at the envelope on the dining table with disdain. He looked at me and laughed; almost as if from pity. “When you’re done being you… we’ll continue this conversation.”

He left, and I sat there drowning in my angst. I had to leave. The miasma of my resentment was suffocating. I went to the office where I relentlessly tried to avoid all human contact. But, every now and again, someone would pass by my office to show their concern and delight for my speedy recovery.

I sat there and realized that I couldn’t hide from my vision any more than I can fool myself into thinking that the six-day-old slice of ham pizza in my refrigerator was edible.

“Hey…” A voice called out to me. “Are you doing okay?”

“Ain’t that the question of the day?”

Alaya could sense my annoyance. “Hey, don’t worry about it. Things will return to normal in no time.”

“Will they?” I sneered.

She closed the door behind her and drew closer, “Of course they will. However, we still have that little matter to discuss.”

“There’s nothing to talk about.” I sharply declined.

I ruffled her calm composure, and she challenged me like always. “I don’t recall asking for your permission.”

“Listen…” I interjected. I need to end this before it begins. I couldn’t have Alaya worrying about me. “I’m not sure what I saw! Now that I think about it, it could have easily been a comma-induced nightmare that manifested in the form of a vision due to my abnormality. I’m not sure what I saw. So until we know, let’s drop it okay?”

“But Nick…”

“I said drop it!”

Looking back at this, it was the first I’d ever raised my voice at her. And if we’re being honest, I totally regret it. Especially because here I am, now tied to a chair somewhere, with absolutely no idea of what’s going on.

The last thing I remember was closing up the office around ten and heading out only after I’d finish the half a bottle of Vodka that’s been sitting on my desk for over a month. The alcohol may have had a slight effect on me, but still, my training and experience should’ve made it easy to neutralize any potential threat.

I felt something was off when I arrived at my car. I even remember reaching for my gun. But, by that time… it was too late.

When the blindfold was removed and my vision cleared up, I saw three large monitors ahead of me. A quick survey of the room showed two vents in the ceiling, three guards behind me and one slightly older regal looking man sitting directly in front me.

“Mr. Bishop…”

“Hello, Strange Man, that has me tied to a chair.”

Hmm, of course, he’d know my name. This was clearly a well-thought-out plan. They picked the night I was scheduled to lock up. They must have been watching me for a while now and also got a hold of my shift. But why me ??. They clearly need me for something, which is why I am not dead yet. But what???

“Allow me to apologize for the restraint. You see, we are well aware of your particular skill sets. Extreme measures had to be taken to ensure your cooperation and of course, the safety of our men.”

He took out my firearm and continued “ If you agree to cooperate and remain calm, we'll gladly unbind your hands and return your weapon. Agreed?”

My response, though skeptical, was that of a nod and was sufficient enough for our agreement. My hands were free and my firearm returned. I gave a second look around the room to see if I’d missed anything earlier.

I turned to face him then asked, “So why am I here?”Just then, the monitors before me lit up and I almost couldn’t believe my eyes. The Three World Leaders were before me.

Oh shit, this is big!

“Hello Mr. Bishop,” They echoed. “We are pleased to finally meet you.”

“Let’s hope I can return the sentiment.” I retorted.

Now that I think about it, it's clear that my impending doom has fucked with my ability to rationalize when not to be a sarcastic ass.

President Lu folded his hands and leaned forward as he spoke, “Let’s get straight to the point…”

*Image pops up on the screen*

“This boy is my son!”

This can’t be happening…

“His name is Alexander Torres… And we need you, to break him out of prison!”

I felt the blood drain from my face as my eyes once again locked onto the face of my killer!