An Alien Prince's Space Log

Prologue: Part 1

In a small apartment, on a run-down building...

"Aaaah, this is getting nowhere!" I slam my hands on my desk in frustration as I shoot the letters dancing on my notebook a glare.

I hate you, you stupid famous doodles!

It's safe to say I've had it with studying for tonight... Studying at college can be tricky sometimes... Better go out and grab something to eat. I push myself and my office chair and get up. My room is quite messy right now, not to mention that it's hella small, but oh well, that's what you get with such cheap rent...

After making a mental note of tidying up when I get back I throw on a red college jacket with white sleeves, put on a ripped light blue pair of jeans, and wear my black high converse all-stars. My brown hair is already in place, so I don't bother combing it. That's one of the reasons I have a middle part style, with my hair on the sides and back being considerably shorter. Also, thanks to my grey-blue eyes and the super-duper handsome face I inherited from my mom, I'd say I'm quite the head-turner.

"Jessie, my boy, you're looking fine."

And yeah, I'm not a friend of modesty.

I head to the convenience store and grab two cups of instant noodles and a bottle of lemon iced tea. That will be my dinner for tonight.

Delighted with my purchase, I begin to make my way back to my apartment. As I do, I momentarily check the time on my phone.

"It's already midnight, huh?" I mutter as I stuff the device back inside my pocket. It's kind of late, but even still, no one is waiting for me back home. My parents went missing back when I was still in middle school, so my aunt had to care for me until I became an adult. Of course, I didn't want to impose on her too much, so I left to live alone as I enrolled in college.

As I walk down the dimly-lit pavement, I spot an underground tunnel to my right and decide to take the short way back.

Shortcuts 101, ladies and gents.

As I nod with satisfaction to my choice, I enter the even less well-lit road and whistle a tone to up my spirits.

Despite my parents' disappearance, I've accepted that I'm just an ordinary dude. Maybe I'll find a nice girlfriend before I graduate from college and get a nice job right after. And maybe, just maybe, get married someday.

In any case, I am doomed to an eternally mediocre and ordinary life.

I continue to step further and further into the underground tunnel, just as I hear another set of footsteps coming from behind me.

Please tell me I'm not getting mugged...

I make that small and hopeful prayer inside my head as I spin around, towards the source of the noise.

Just there, two men, wearing what looks like a heavy uniform made of leather, stare down at me.

Pretty unique fashion sense, I have to say.

"Uhm... Can I... help you?" I ask awkwardly as they stare at me, seemingly having no intention to answer. "Well, you have fun here fellows. G'night." I give them a small salute and turn around. Just as I do...

"Stop. right. there." One of them speaks in a stiff manner. I contemplate whether or not I should just make a break for it, but the thought of him having a gun or something stops me. I mean you can never be too careful with criminals these days. Thus, I decide to play it cool.

"Look man, sorry, but I only got pocket change on me. So I'd be grateful if you could just..."

"Josiah Oberon." The other man utters my full name and for a moment, my breath catches on my throat.