Wayward pines

Chapter I

I could feel every muscle in my body hurt. I didn't move. My eyelids were dark-red, painted by the blinding light. I tried to open my eyes, slowly, though I quickly shut them again. A red circle was engraved onto the inside of my eyelids. I slowly moved my arm up and covered my face in my elbow pit. I opened my eyes and very slowly moved my arm as I got used to the light. My feet gradually became less numb and I started to feel the wetness of my clothes as I laid in the sun. I sat up and I looked down at myself. My hands were covered in wounds and scrapes, and my clothes were speckled by my own blood. I sat up and dragged myself further away from the small river was flowing at my feet. I stood up and all of the sudden I felt nauseous and light-headed. I tried to acquire a sense of where I was but it was impossible. I couldn't even remember my own name. I looked around. I was surrounded by trees, the only exception being from where I had woken up. I decided to start walking and chose a random direction. I made my way through the trees and the underbrush. My feet were sore but I kept going. I came to an asphalt-paved road. I couldn't see the end but I decided to follow it. It didn't take long before I came to a sign on the side of the road. It was made of wood and was only standing on four metal rods. It was worn down and it made it hard to read. "Welcome to WAYWARD PINES. Where paradise is home."

I kept walking and I was soon able to see outlines and silhouettes of houses. My whole body was aching and my head was throbbing. As I entered the town, I was able to see small stores and cafés. Only a few people walked the street and the ones who did shot me weird looks. I entered the closest café I could find. A woman looked at me the moment I entered. "Can I help you?." I looked around the café. "Where am I?", I asked her.

- "You're in Wayward Pines, Idaho"

- "Idaho..."

-" Should I call an ambulance?"

Everything started to fade to black and the whole world was spinning. The last thing I remember is falling.

- "I'm glad you're here, Ethan. Have you spoken to anybody else about what happened?"

- "Talked to my partner."

- "Do you find it helpful to talk to him?"

- "Her."

His pen clicks and he starts writing, though he gave no response.

- "She's been really supportive."

- "Good. What about your wife? Have you talked to your wife about it?"

- "I wish I could, but some things are classified and... "

- "So the person who's supposed to be closest to you doesn't know what you're going through." He sighs. "Ethan... If someone is to blame for the easter bombings, It's whoever signed those release papers. Not you. You had no choice, you were following orders."

- "I was watching the guy. I knew he was dirty, and I let him go. That's on me."

- "Have you been experiencing any more hallucinations?"

- "No. I mean, I had a few nightmares here and there, but nothing like what I was experiencing before."

- "Really?"

- "What do you mean by hallucinations?"

- "People or objects that aren't really there..." His voice echoed in my mind.