Kidnapped
I remember being normal. I was a young man in my 20's living in my parent's house struggling to get by. I was online more than I probably should have, but it was an escape from the harsh reality of my life. I didn't feel fulfilled or like a success, I felt like a failure on many different levels. I worked part time to pay my 'rent' to my parents. I wanted something to happen. I, unfortunately, got my wish in the way I least expected.
We lived in a suburban neighborhood, an hour or two from the city, depending on traffic. Our neighbors were nice enough, but I always felt that they looked down on me, as if I was leaching off my parents. I had a girlfriend, though we didn't hang out as much as I liked. She lived with her parents, and when you have the supervision of two sets of parents; not much happened. I was even enrolled in the local community college, I just wasn't taking any courses at the moment.
When my life made its drastic change, the sky was overcast, though no rain fell. I had just gotten off from my job and was going to get lunch as I'd worked the morning shift. I was walking through the park, heading towards a McDonalds. While moving around a tree, I tripped on a root and fell flat on my face. I groaned as I began to stand up, with my hand resting against the trunk of the tree to support myself. I felt a piercing sting on the back of my hand. Quickly ripping my hand back, a large insect was sent flying.
Rubbing the back of my hand, I could see only one small puncture mark where I had been bitten. Looking around, I couldn't find the culprit for my pain. The sharp sting of the bite didn't decrease as I rubbed the sore spot, but seemed to spread in a gradual burning sensation. I didn't think there were many venomous insects in the area, but the spreading heat started traveling up my arm. Standing up, I had to support myself against the tree, I suddenly felt dizzy and nauseous.
"Hey, are you okay?"
Turning my head to see where the voice came from caused my vision to swim. Everything seemed off balanced as if the world were tipping on its side. I grabbed the tree to steady myself. When my vision cleared enough, I saw a man walking toward me.
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