Around and around we go

Chapter 1

The crashing and loud giggles, the obvious drunken debauchery happening in the hallway outside of my room is what wakes me.

The fact that this woke me would be pretty amazing, seeing as the bedroom in this suite is closed off, if I was still able to sleep soundly.  Looking around the unfamiliar darkened room, I try to remember where I am. Another hotel, in another country, as far away from where I believe "home" is. Rolling over I reach out and hit the switch beside the bed and some low lighting comes on. Everything around me is modern and technologically advanced to the point that I gave up on trying to close the blackout curtains. Japan. I'm in Japan. Sighing I look at the time; 1 a.m. and my jet-lag is screaming at me. I've been in Asia for 3 days now, but the 17 hour time difference has been rough.

Another crash and a high pitched squeal of delight from outside. I don't know how much more of this I can take. What time is it? I roll over and take a squinty look at the time on the bedside clock; 1:25 a.m.. I have 3 more hours until I need to get out of bed.

OK, I'm just going to stick my head out my door and see what's happening out there before I call the front desk. I roll out of the warmth of the massive bed, slipping on my slippers as I step off the raised platform. Who designed this bed anyways? If I were to fall out of it while sleeping I might actually die. Rubbing the sleep from my eyes and with a big yawn, I get to the front door, turn the handle and stick my head out. I count 7 people. All very intoxicated and giving zero fucks as to how they are behaving. Some very scantily clad young women, all blonde with legs that go on for days, and a couple of guys who are obviously some form of movie or rock stars. Hoods up and wearing sunglasses and the most ridiculous pants I've ever seen.... are those... Long underwear with patches all over them? I rub my eyes again to try and see more clearly. Yes, yes they are. Shaking my head I watch them for a few more seconds. The man in the ridiculous pants is trying in vain to get into his suite across the hall from mine. It probably wasn't helping that two of the leggy blondes where literally hanging off of him, taking turns shoving their tongues down his throat.

That's when I recognized him.

His hood fell down and revealed a tattoo behind his left ear. I would recognize that anywhere. I have a matching one on my wrist as a daily reminder of who I used to be. I feel like my heart stops and I can no longer breathe properly.

This isn't happening.

It can't be happening.

I've worked so hard to make sure this would never happen. I'm fairly certain that there is no way he would recognize me right now, I've changed so much since the last time he saw me, plus he was so fucked up right now I'm amazed he's even standing. Getting a sudden wave of courage fueled by annoyance, I march over to him, take the keycard from his hand, turn it over and swipe it through the reader. When the little green light flashes "go", I push open the door and say "There you go, hope you have fun." I spin on my heel and make a beeline for my own door. As I'm closing it behind me, I can hear him say "Wait... thank you! don't I know you....?". Shit.