It Started With A Cigarette|✓|

Prologue

He did not see the truck in front of him before it was too late.

He swerved but the truck swerved in the same direction too.

All that he heard was the sound of metal clashing against metal and bones snapping and cracking.

Everything around him happened in slow motion. His twelve year old daughter, who was fast asleep in the backseat of the car, was being jerked around like a ragdoll.

His face came in contact with sharp pieces of metal and glass and the last thing he saw before he passed out was the distorted face of his wife who was sitting beside him.

                               ---×---

He woke up covered in sweat.
Thank God it was just a dream.

He tried to get up.

What is obstructing me?

He looked around to find himself covered in white bandages all over. His leg was tied to a polerest and his hands were on either side of him.

It definitely wasn't a dream

"Is anyone there?", he tried to ask but ended up choking on his own saliva.

He coughed and coughed until a doctor came into the room.

"Please lie down. And do not try to speak.", the doctor warned.

"Where is my wife? And my daughter? I have to meet them right now. Please.", he pleaded.

The doctor shook his head and made him lie down before leaving the room.

In a short while, he came back with a notepad.

"Was Lauren McCarthy your wife?"
"Yes."

The doctor hung his head apologetically.

"W-We tried our best to save her...but..", he started.

He didn't have to say anything.

Tears flowed out of Joseph McCarthy's eyes at an incredible rate.

"But your daughter is doing well.", the doctor continued sympathetically.

Unable to wipe away the tears he cried, Joseph let them dry on their own and entered a world of his own.

A new world.

Something snapped inside him that night.

His new world was filled with madness, ruthlessness and lots of alcohol.
                            ----×----