Fred Clover stands beside a hospital bed, staring down at an older woman, who remains motionless on the bed. This woman is his mother, and she's in a comatose state.
Fred Clover: Hey mum, how've you been? Hope the doctors have been treating you well? (Fred asks with a slight smile)
Some coma patients are able to hear voices, but are unconscious and cannot respond. Studies suggest that talking to them may help with the recovery process, and that's what the teacher is hoping for.
Fred Clover: Things have been going well for me, I've got another teaching job, and I promise I won't lose it this time. I'm always thinking about you, anytime I'm away I wonder if you've already woken up, and in need of an explanation. I want to be there when you wake up, and explain to you everything you've missed since this happened. I heard dad's in prison now, for identity theft or something crazy like that. I really hope he doesn't get out, at least that way he can pay for all the pain he put us through... (Sighs) Emma says hi, she wants you to know how much she loves you, and wants you to get better. We both promised to never give up on you, we'll wait as long as it takes, until we see you awake again... Have a nice day, mum. See you tomorrow. (Fred tells her before gently kissing her forehead, and quietly walking out of the room)
Fred Clover works as a teacher at Pride High School, and the reason he's always late is because of his frequent visits to his sick mother. It also doesn't help that he dislikes air polluting vehicles, and prefers to use bicycles as his only means of transport.
This has gotten him fired from many jobs, but luckily he's well liked by his students at this school. So he can get away with being tardy sometimes, but he has received multiple warnings, and really needs to clean up his act.
Fred pumps his legs to go even faster on his hybrid bike, not wanting to be later than he already was. Although he's riding pretty fast, he still rides responsibly, not wanting to endanger himself or others on the road.
But sometimes it doesn't matter how obedient you are to the rules of the road. Accidents are always a possibility, especially when you share the road with irresponsible individuals.
Screams of joy echo through the streets, a beautiful young woman is driving a bright red sports car, and having the time of her life.
Sitting next to her is her boyfriend, the handsome blonde bad boy known as Seth Wild.
Seth Wild: While I do enjoy a good joy ride, getting someone killed is where I draw the line. So please slow down. (Seth tells her casually, mostly unbothered by her reckless driving)
"Boo, Seth! You're no fun! I thought you were the king of this city!" (The girl tells him with a laugh, still speeding the sports car)
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Seth Wild: I am, but even a king follows the rules, and I don't want to deal with the cops today. So please slow down, Candy. (Seth tells her calmly)
Candy: (Sighs) Fine, I'll slow down... What the heck?! (Candy yells, suddenly hitting the brakes on the vehicle, but the fast car doesn't stop on time, and rams into a man on his bike)
Fred Clover is the one who was hit by their car, his body flying off his bicycle and falling down hard on the concrete. The school teacher lays motionless on the ground, much to the dismay of Candy.
Candy: Oh my God! I killed him! He's dead! (Candy screams in fear, horrified by what she has just done)
Seth Wild: Calm down, he's still alive. I saw him twitch. (Seth tells her calmly, getting out of the car and walking towards the injured man)
Seth looks around casually, taking note of all the people who witnessed the accident. Without warning an invisible pulse of red energy is released from his body, spreading across a wide area and affecting every single onlooker.
A powerful sense of fear washes over all the witnesses, forcing them to turn away and mind their own business. Seth then kneels next to the teacher's body, shaking him vigorously to wake him up.
Fred slowly regains consciousness, feeling very confused and disoriented. He eventually raises his head, seeing the well dressed individual staring down at him.
Seth Wild: This is why I don't like bikes. If you know you can't afford to buy a car, then maybe it's better you just walk, loser! (Seth tells him, placing his hand into his pocket)... Here, buy yourself something nice, and forget this ever happened. (Seth instructed him, throwing a wad of cash onto his body)
Fred Clover: Are you kidding me?! (Fred yells, refusing to even touch the money)
Seth Wild: The money there is more than enough, I won't be giving you a cent more. (Seth tells him firmly)
Fred Clover: I don't want your money! (Fred yells as he picks up the money, throwing it back at Seth and knocking off his expensive glasses)
Seth Wild: Alright then, what do you want? (Seth asked, angrily rising to his feet)
Fred Clover: An apology would be nice, your girlfriend almost killed me, and could have hurt many others with her reckless driving. Do you seriously think this will be resolved with just money?! (Fred asked, painfully and angrily getting back on his feet)
Seth Wild: Trust me, if I resolve this any other way, you won't like it very much. (Seth warns him, his eyes briefly glowing red, but Fred does not see this)
Candy: I'm so sorry for hitting you! I was distracted and...
Seth Wild: Don't apologize, Candy! Not to this nobody! (Seth warns her)
Fred Clover: Then I guess I'll just let the authorities handle this. We'll see how calm you are when the police arrive. (Fred tells him, removing his now damaged phone from his pocket, and trying to call law enforcement)
Seth Wild: Put, the phone, Down!!! (Seth shouts in anger, his eyes now burning crimson red, and this time Fred can see them)
Fred Clover: Your eyes, why are they like that? (Fred asks in terror, his body literally trembling before this man)
Seth Wild: I felt bad for you at first, but then you just had to go and disrespect me! And nobody, disrespects me! (Seth tells him before placing a hand on his shoulder, further intensifying Fred's fear)
Fred Clover: What is this sensation, why am I finding it so hard to breathe right now? Why is this man so terrifying? (Fred contemplated in fear, sweat almost pouring down his face)... I have to get away from him, I need to run! (Fred decided before finally breaking free from Seth's grasp, running away from the scene without even looking back)
Seth leaves the cash and his glasses on the ground and just walks away, heading towards his vehicle without even saying a word. Once in the car Seth makes himself comfortable, and then looks at Candy, his eyes already back to normal.
Seth Wild: Let's go. (Seth tells her)
Candy: What did you say to that guy? Why was he so scared of you? (Candy nervously asks him)
Seth Wild: Don't you remember, babe? I'm the king of this city. (Seth tells her with a smile, fully confident in those words)
Fred has finally stopped running, and is now hiding in an alley. But while the teacher is trying to catch his breath, a shadowy figure looms over him, wearing a sinister red smile on its formless face.
Next: Overcoming Fear.