Chapter 7 - Who are you?

'Where am I?' I woke up in extreme darkness and I wasn't able to move at all.' -CLICK- I heard a light switch and a dim light flickered to life above me and blinded me. I tried to look around but I couldn't even turn my head and was bound to wait and see what was going to happen. The only thing in my sight was the ceiling and that bright light was shining on my face with an even higher intensity now and not letting me get a clear look. After a while I saw some tiles on the wall and a weak smell reached my nose. It smelled like a hospital.

-STEP... STEP- Suddenly I heard steps coming from behind and going towards me.

"Did... prep... everything?" A man with an abstrused voice said. I couldn't quite get what they were talking about like they were muttering. It was as if I wasn't really there.

"Yes... he should... tible!... chance!" The voices stopped and I saw something flash up in the corner of my right eye - A GIANT NEEDLE - 'WTH?!? I can't even defend myself or just scream.'

It was coming closer and closer. My body wasn't reacting at all, but my mind was going crazy, till it even felt like I would burst from fear.

- "AHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" Sweaty, feeling like my heart would explode and unable to realize the situation I was in, I finally woke up.

"Woah, calm down Mark. What is wrong? Had a bad dream?" I instantly recognized this voice - it was the man who saved me from that mad dog Jimmy.

"huh... huh...whe...eerree..." while still breathing heavily I tried to ask him some questions, but I could only stutter.

"I know you are confused and afraid, but you have to calm down, otherwise I won't be able to help you." The man said and I could finally get a glimpse of what he really looked like.

An old big man, with a solid frame, he must have just done sports his whole life to achieve this body even after the drawback. He was marked by numerous scars all over his face and arms. Grey hair and dark green eyes, that looked like they have seen too many things in this world. He looked like an old exhausted tiger that has lost his prime form and yearned for it.

"Who are you?" "That isn't the question you should be worrying about." "Ah, right! What happened at the park? What did you do?" After thinking for a while the strange man answered "I saved you from this mad hound, so that you could survive. If no one would have stepped in, you might have died back then." I was just confused, in this world, who would do something so foolish and risk his own life to safe a stranger? Besides John I never thought that there would be someone like that. "I am really grateful for you doing this, but why? I am just a stranger, who has nothing to do with you..." "Potential. I saw something within you, that wanted to break out and defeat him. Your body was screaming for you to fight on. Like a burning flame it blazed high and mighty, but you suppressed it.

Your mind gave up. Mark, You gave up and that is the reason why you lost. Not because you are weak but because you gave up. The moment you saw him coming you haven't even thought of winning anymore. Your body isn't as weak as you think and even if he is. YOU can change that! YOU can train him! Just believe in yourself! That is why I saved you. Not because I know you but instead because of the desperation I felt roaring from within you."

I was speechless. 'What did he see? A burning flame? I am not powerful... but I really gave up after seeing and feeling Jimmy's power... Was there really something I could have done? Could I have one the fight?'

"What happened after I blacked out?" I asked full of curiousity. "I had a talk with Jimmy and after I put some sense into him he told me what he had done and about you Mark.... What is it you want Mark?"

'What do I want? Why was I even happy to join the regionals? Do I want to prove myself?... No... right now I want to get stronger, to get the answers I need!'

"Let me ask you again. Who exactly are you? What did you see during our fight?" "You shouldn't ask me these questions before you know that for yourself and the people you are with." He crouched down till we sit there face to face. He looked me in the eyes and asked "So, who are you?"