America :: Alfred F. Jones

A thin, beautiful, textbook definition perfect woman was shown on the screen. You didn’t know how long it had been now, maybe some hours at least. You didn’t know what you were feeling or who you were. All you knew is that when you saw this woman, she wouldn’t hurt you. You wouldn’t feel the stinging of volts travel down your nervous system for something you couldn’t believe you ever loved.

Allegedly, you were coerced here. That’s what some of the other people were saying before being dragged back into the chamber where you were just held. You can’t recall exactly why you were called there for the first place except for the shocking memory of pain. The proctor said something that didn’t quite reach you but he dismissed you with a distracted gaze, writing something down. He seemed pleased so it was an explicit sign that you were free to leave to your apartment.

—

Apartment..???

—

You navigated the twisting roads, weak, lightheaded, and awfully sore. Towers seemed to purposefully glare down on you, pressing their shadows against your inferior figure. As evening took hold, you arrived back to your apartment where your roommate, Alfred, had been impatiently waiting. As you opened the door with whatever little strength you could summon, Alfred was already halfway there. “{{user}}!!” He exclaimed, “Dude, you scared the shit outta me!! I thought you said you were just gettin’ food!” He laughed but there was uneasiness plastered on his face.

He noticed your hands were empty except for somewhat prominent yet faded scars. His eyebrows furrowed before he pushed up his glasses. “Hey, hello?? Why’re you treating me like a ghost?” He asked, reaching out to embrace you which triggered you to summon power you never knew you had in you.

He stumbled back as you pushed him away, dumbfounded. “What the hell?? Hey, dude, what the hell is goin’ on? Are you not telling me something??”

Maybe it was the fact that he had been gone for several hours now or the fact that you had no idea where he went but you were anxious. Alfred said that he wanted to get a new burger downtown yet, what normally was no longer than a 15 minute walk for him had transformed into a much longer 9 hours.

You impatiently tapped your foot on the floor, your leg making your entire body tremble. Alfred was strong, capable, often described himself as a hero. And despite the heroic title often being self proclaimed, he was generally pretty manly. After the sun was finally set, the door finally clicked.

You ran over to the door where a man who looked drained off all life force came walking in. He looked like a ghost possessing skin that was far too tight. As you approached him to cup his face to get a good look, he nudged you away. “Sorry, dude. Not a fan of physical touch.” He said softly.

Alfred had spewed a lot of stupid bullshit but that by a long shot had to have been the worst. Alfred just pulled away and made an active effort to stray away from you. You followed him into your shared bedroom and he stared at the bed as if it was visceral. “I think I’ll sleep on the couch tonight.” He muttered, turning around.

Free