The sun began to peak its groggy head above the horizon, saying a sleepy good morning before it fully awoke. A ray of sun slowly creeped through Atlas's window, running along the floor and up the side of the couch before resting itself on his slumbering face. A car honked outside and Atlas's eyes fluttered open at the sound. He yawned aloud and scratched his stubbled face before rousing himself off the couch. Atlas slowly walked to the kitchen, taking his time as He thought about the events of last night. He contemplated if it had been a dream or a hallucination, Atlas shrugged it off as he went to make himself a warm mug of tea. He hummed to himself, tilting his head back and forth as he watched the tea water boil. Soon the shrill sound of the kettle broke his peaceful humming, causing him to startle and curse at the sound. As he turned off the burner his landline rang, causing him to startle and curse again. He quickly walked over to it and raised it to his ear. He heard a voice on the other end begin to talk. The words the voice spoke were as follows;
"Greetings, would this be the residence of one Atlas M. Taylor? If so, I would like to inform you that there is a questionnaire you may answer if you would like to further better your experience of life. If you would not like to further answer this questionnaire, hang up immediately, also if you are not one Atlas M. Taylor please hang up as well."
Atlas thought for a second before responding;
"Yes, I am one Atlas M. Taylor, and even though my experience of life is already enjoyable as it is, I will answer your questionnaire to the best of my ability."
"I'm happy to hear that as your response! First question: What is it like to live alone as someone who has not many close friends or family?"
"Ah well it can get lonely at times but I am content with my life so my answer will be content. I am content."
"Thank you for your response, we will document it along with the other ones. Next question: Have you ever thought of the possibility of other reality's or dimensions such as what is in the book Dark Matter?"
Atlas looked taken aback for a second but quickly responded.
"It is my thought that yes, there is the possibility of such things out there and yes I do believe in such things, but until I have evidence of such I will not believe it."
"Thank you for your response, we will document it along with the other. Third question..."
The questionnaire went on like this for 15 minutes on the dot, ending with the voice on the other end stating;
"The questionnaire is over and you are free to go, your results will be mailed to you in 3-5 business days depending on your answers. Have a good day and please do not try to contact us."
Atlas heard a buzzing noise on the other end of the line, realizing the questionnaire had been terminated. He hung up the line and went back to his now cold tea kettle. Atlas turned on the burner as his mind nearly exploded as the thought of all the peculiar things that had taken place in less than 24 hours: first the strange man, then this. Could this be a coincidence? Possibly but unlikely he thought. He went back to humming as he watched the tea boil, still contemplating what all of this could mean.
To be continued...
