1
Where am I...? I smell sterile equipment... disinfectant... am I at a hospital...? But this equipment... I've never even seen any of this. I sit up straight on my bed. Right. I was fighting against that Anna person. Ugh... my stomach...
"Oh, you're awake!"
I turn to the voice and see an older gentleman, about the same age as Don. He looks like he just got out of a business meeting, still wearing his suit and tie.
"And you are...?"
"Stanley. Stanley Brown. I brought you here after your fight with Anna."
"How do you know her? Are you involved with her in some way?"
I instinctively get out of bed and clench my fists. He just smiles and raises both his hands in surrender.
"Relax, I'm not here to fight you. Well, why don't you follow me to my office. We have lots to talk about."
"And why should I listen to you?"
"Because I'm more powerful than her."
I feel my skin crawl. I'm shivering... am I frightened...? Stronger... than her...? Someone like that? His smile feels cold. Like looking at a wounded animal with a sadistic grin. Is this... killing intent...?
"Well. Even if I told you without evidence, you won't believe me!"
The air suddenly changed as he starts laughing. My shivering stopped and I collapse onto the bed out of relief. So he wasn't going to kill me... whew...
"Just follow me. Oh and let me welcome you to the Unseen World. Welcome, Jason Hoslow."
"Wait, how do you know my name?"
"Don't worry about it."
He opens the door to the outside and I see what I can only describe as something out of a fantasy novel. People flying left and right, sprouting wings, water, fire and lightning all over the place. I rub my eyes and blink rapidly.
"Am I dead...? Is this the afterlife?
Stanley laughs hard until tears flow down his face, clutching his belly. He wipes a tear and catches his breath properly.
"Yeah. That's the normal response, huh? But no, you're not dead. This is the Unseen World. A place where only a select few can visit, those who have powers like you and I."
"Powers? What do you mean by that?"
"Hmm? You don't know? Then how about this. When you were fighting Anna, weren't you injured and somehow found yourself to be completely fine?"
"Now that you mention it..."
I did feel something like that. I thought I was about to die, but I got rejuvenated instead. Is that what he meant? But more importantly...
"How did you know? Were you there or something?"
"Oh. Well. Let's just say, a certain someone ask me to keep an eye on you."
"A certain someone? Is this said person trustworthy?"
"I'd say so, yeah. In fact, she's pretty well known around these parts."
"Well, I have no choice but to trust you on this one. Uhh, what do I call you? Just Stan?"
"Yeah, Stan is fine by me"
2
"So? Why did you bring me here?"
"Like I said, a certain someone asked me to keep an eye on you so I brought you here. Well, I would be lying if that was the only reason. That, and also the fact that I believe you would be a good fit here for us."
"In what way?"
"Well. We live more or less a normal enough life like ordinary people, it's just that the only difference I would say is that there are supernatural powers here."
"Oh yeah about that. Mind explaining it to me for a bit?"
"Ah. I would. But I suggest going back to school for that."
"What."
"Yeah, I'm a professor that teaches about that."
"Do I seriously have to go to school again...?"
"Yes and no. I can teach you but only the fundamentals. I'm horrible at practical teaching. So if you only want to learn the basics, I can teach you but otherwise you'll have to go back to school."
"Skip. I don't wanna go back to school. I opted out of doing a master's by getting a job. So hell nah, just teach me the basics and I'll see if I can learn everything practically."
"Well. She did tell me you were one super lazy dude. But anyways, look forward to it tomorrow."
"Wait, where am I staying?"
"Ah that. You don't have that much money right? So just stay at some apartment, don't worry. The prices here are a lot cheaper than outside. Well. I'll see you tomorrow, Jason."
Before I could protest, he disappeared into the wind. He says it's easy to find a place to stay, but how easy is it really...? And how much cheaper is it, man...? I was barely scraping by in the outside world, so let's hope I find a cheap apartment this time...
3
What the hell...? Why is this apartment so cheap...?! And it's so luxurious! I have a balcony, a bathtub and everything is fully furnished! And it's only half the price of my cramped and terrible apartment in the outside world! Well then. Time to enjoy a nice warm bath while I contemplate on my new life.
Elsewhere
"Hmm. It looks like he's enjoying his life here."
The voice belonged to a woman with long black hair, and dyed blonde at the ends. She wore a loose jacket and baggy pants. She had a wide grin across her face.
"Well. Let's just hope it stays that way. The stuff that happens around here can be quite intense. You'll eventually get used to it, Jason."
The woman leapt off the building and left the area quietly.
Back to Jason
Whew... that was one hell of a bath. I'll go look for a job tomorrow, but for now. I just want to relax. Wait. I have no clothes...! Damn it. It's already 10pm, I'll have to do everything tomorrow. Dinner... I had a sandwich, so I guess it's fine. Guess I'll get some sleep. Oh man. This bed is so much comfier than my old bed... I might just... pass out...