Allan Young awoke in a large bed. As soon as he opened his eyes, a wave of confusion washed over him. The room was too bright. Too big.
An unfamiliar woman stood beside the bed in a revealing nightgown. She smiled when she saw him awake.
"Good morning, sweetheart. How do you feel?"
"Who are you?!”
Her eyes widened. "Paul, it’s me! Your wife!"
Allan pulled the covers up to his chest. He felt puffy, and his body felt unfamiliar. His joints were stiff, and his chest felt tight.
Allan frowned. He was still trapped in someone else’s body.
Have I gone insane?
He looked around the room again. It was empty except for himself and the woman.
"How did I get here?"
She took a step backward, “You were released from prison last night, remember? We had a celebratory dinner, and we made love.”
Allan raised an eyebrow. He didn’t remember any of this. He was sure he would have remembered sleeping with an absolute stranger. His heart began pounding rapidly, and his breath caught in his throat.
"I think you need to lay back down." she frowned, “The doctors said you might have lapses of memory from your epileptic episodes.”
Allan shook his head. "No, I need to leave. Where are my clothes? And where am I?"
"Why, you're home!" the woman insisted.
He pushed himself up off the bed, his arms shaking. "I'm not home! I don't live here! Who are you?!"
The sad expression on her face gave him pause.
Was there anything familiar about her?
"It's okay," she smiled, "you'll figure it out. I'm sorry you’re having another memory lapse. The doctor said this might happen.”
"Lapses of memory?" Allan looked alarmed, “ Did something happen? Did I get in a car accident and sustain some brain damage?”
"No, no. Nothing like that." She replied hastily. "It's just that sometimes, after one of your seizures, you forget things. But it's not a big deal. The doctor said you should get plenty of rest."
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Allan was starting to panic. This was getting worse. He needed answers. He looked around the room. There was an abundance of expensive furniture, including a plush sofa and a large flatscreen television. On top of the tv stand was a newspaper. He could barely read the headline from where he sat.
“What is your name?” Allan demanded, his voice trembling.
"My name is Alison." she responded impatiently.
"Alison?"
"Yes, I'm your wife.” She smirked playfully, “Maybe this will jog your memory."
Suddenly she loosened the straps on her nightgown, letting it drop to the floor. She stood there boldly with her gorgeous naked body on full display.
Allan was speechless. He stared at her for a long moment. "I need to get dressed. Could you give me some privacy?”
She rolled her eyes, “I’ve seen you naked hundreds of times, but I’ll go if you insist.”
Alison marched out of the room, closing the door behind her. Allan rummaged through the drawers while he tried to process everything that had happened.
I've never been married!
Allan found a pair of jeans and a t-shirt in the bottom drawer. After changing into his clothes, he grabbed Alison's nightgown that she had left on the floor.
Allan sat down on the edge of the bed, rubbing his temples.
What was going on?
He opened the newspaper, scanning the headlines. The news didn't help much. The world was in chaos. Nations had fallen. Civil war erupted across America. The media was obsessed with the disappearance of billions of people.
Allan took a deep breath and tried to calm himself. He knew he had to find a way back into his own body, or risk losing his mind.
He picked up a phone and dialed a number. "Hello?" a female voice answered after two rings.
"It's Allan. Is James there?”
There was silence on the other line, then a muffled sound, "Not anymore."
Allan's heart sank. He knew the voice, and it chilled him to his core.
"Amy?" he hesitated, “Where is he?”
"He got taken by the Rapture." Amy responded, her voice cracking.
Allan hung up the phone, feeling numb. He picked up the newspaper again.
The headline read: ‘Families are searching for loved ones after millions vanish.’
Hundreds of articles were scattered throughout the section. Allan scanned the pages, desperately trying to make sense of it all.
I can't believe this is happening!
Allan's eyes moved to a picture of the White House. There was a headline underneath: ‘Our government is broken.’
Allan closed the paper, feeling sick to his stomach. His heart began to race, and he felt dizzy.
"What are you doing?" Alison opened the door, this time wrapped in a towel after having taken a shower.
"I'm leaving." Allan replied shortly.
"Where are you going?" Alison asked, stepping into the room.
"To find James." Allan replied.
"Who?”
Allan didn't answer. Instead, he walked past her and hurried down the hall.
"Honey, wait!" Alison called out behind him.
Allan ignored her, heading for the front door.
"Honey, where are you going?" she repeated.
Allan stopped cold, his hand on the doorknob. "I have to try to find him."
"What's gotten into you?!" Alison shouted.
Allan turned slowly around. "Nothing. I just… I have to leave."
"But I thought…"
Allan cut her off. "I can't stay here. I have to go."
Allison started to speak, but Allan was already walking away. He went down the stairs and out into the driveway. He could hear Alison yelling behind him, but he ignored her.
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