An Anon's Journey: Remnant Act 1

V1E1: Dazed and Confused

Hope. A name most ironic given the circumstance. He bore it with bitterness, for he had given up hope a long time ago.

Another bad day. Another day stuck with a bunch of insufferable jackasses who talk and talk and talk. Another day where his patience was drained by idiots who kept asking asinine questions that can be answered by a quick look on the net. Another day of being buried in papers and documents.

Another day that Hope just wanted to forget.

Another day where he walked into the same bar, seeing the same faces that ordered the same drinks. 

"The usual?" The bartender asked him.

He nodded his head wordlessly and in three minutes his usual drink was before him. Coffee liqueur, simple syrup, dairy of the day and some strong spirit. He took long gulps, savouring his drink. Bitter coffee, sweet syrup and boozy spirit.

And like every other day, the moment he began to feel numb, he paid and left. All without a word. Another day spent trying to forget, another day spent doing something pointless. Because every day is the same.

Back to his apartment, back to the comfort of a small yet cozy home. He entered his home like he always does. Only three rooms to move around, but it was fine by him. The apartment was mostly dull in terms of decoration. Warm brown walls, simple patterned floor. No real decoration other than a carpet at the entrance and furniture, most of it was midrange stuff that he got on sale all except for a widescreen plasma smart TV and a large couch. He shook his head and took a deep breath.

"Why do I feel so... exhausted?"

Hopeless Hope walked past it all and into his bedroom. Unlike the rest of his apartment, his bedroom was downright lavish in its decorations. Posters, shelves filled with books, figurines, memorabilia and a personal computer that cost more than a brand new car.

His body felt heavier and heavier by the moment, his eyelids felt like gym weights.

"I don't..." he paused awkwardly. "I didn't... drink that much..."

He fell to his knees at the foot of the bed. His vision distorted and a shrill sound invaded his ears. He looked to his bedroom wall as his vision blurred and swirled. Wallpaper turned to masonry and flickered back and forth. His stomach felt heavy like it was about to fall out of his gut. He held his abdomen and mouth as felt bile rises from his throat. His vision blanked as he collapsed to the side.

Everything had gone black...

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Hope's head hit something hollow and metallic as he sprawled unto his back.

"AH! OW!" He grunted as he held his head. "What..."

He turned over and lifted himself up to his knees. He looked around with confusion.

"D'fuck?"

His surroundings were nothing like his bedroom. Hope was in an alley between what looked like a butcher and a takeout chain. The fried smell of junk fast food and raw meat only added to his already confused state.

"How- wha- when did I?" He bumbled. "Where?"

He slowly and delicately lifted himself to his feet. His stomach was settling but he still felt fragile.

"Better take it slow," Hope told himself.

There was no way he had drunk enough to blackout. He remembered getting home safely. He walked out of the alley as he tried to make a timeline of events that made sense in his head. The lights hit his eyes and his confusion deepened.