Chapter 1: The night of

Whiteville, USA

John woke up and heaved a depressing sigh. He dreaded going to the office everyday, nervous, panicked, reluctant to go anywhere. But he needs to, his mother's been on the bed for more than three years now. He picked himself up and headed to the loo, splashed water on his face and stared at himself.

"Why?" the voices in his head echoed.

John finished his graduation early, he was a gold medalist and got into a high-end publishing company as an editor. But as soon as his mother got diagnosed with cancer, his performance and confidence, both got affected. His boss is a run-of-the-mill assholish manager, and keeps embarrassing him and taunting about his "fake" gold medal.

John Frank put on his suit, got his papers, briefcase and went down to his mother's. Paula usually sits on the arm chair in front of the TV and waits for his son. John made a bowl of cereal for himself and a sandwich for his mom.

"Johnny, smile, be happy, you're such a good boy."

"Yeah mum, I know."

"Johnny, listen- "

"Ma I have to leave, you know how Rick is."

"Johnny.."

"Ma, I'll be back by 8. I promise."

"Alright son, see you."

John left the house, knowing his mother had been trying to have the talk. The talk he wasn't ready to have, the talk before you go towards the light. He waited at the bus stop and got on it. John sat on the seat at back, his mind racing, all kinds of thoughts going through his head. He got off at the 4th Avenue road and proceeded to his office's gate. He's rarely late and usually stays behind. Although he has requested that he needs to leave early due to his mother's health.

John went straight to his cabin and sat down, avoiding everyone on the way. He heard his name and suddenly a shiver went through him.

"John Fuck-rrank"

"Hey Rick, how are you?"

"Not good, Johnny my boy, not good."

John stayed quiet. He had learnt that whatever he'll say, will be used against him.

"John, I'm still waiting for the reports."

"Rick, listen, I sent it last week."

"Oh, did you? Did you get an acknowledgement from me?"

"I- I'm really sorry, I didn't know I had to."

"So, you just send an email and expect everyone else to prance around and thank you for your work."

"I- I'm sorry, I don't- "

"DO I LOOK LIKE A FOOL?"

Everyone stopped working and started looking at them.

"HOW ABOUT YOU SHOVE THAT MEDAL UP YOUR-"

"Mr. Rick, please- "

"I'll tell you what, you stay behind and finish Mike's reports as well, then maybe I'll let you keep the job a while longer."

"Rick, I've already mentioned I have to leave early, my mother isn't well, she needs me to be there as much as possible."

Rick glared at him, and turned around to walk away. John knew there was nothing he could do so he started working on the reports early.

John managed to finish his work by 9, happy that he managed with just one hour extra. He proceeded to pick his things up.

Suddenly the phone started ringing, John was confused. Who was calling the office at that time? He hoped it wasn't a work call.

Then John got an idea, if he had left a bit before then nobody would've picked the call up. So he left the office and headed home, feeling a bit victorious. He waited for the bus for a while and eventually got on it. John walked home from the bus stop and as soon as he saw his house he stopped. There was a commotion. His heart leapt and he started running, he saw that there were policemen and paramedics as well. He headed inside showing his ID to the guards, waiting for someone to tell him his mum's okay. Someone put a hand on his shoulder.

"Mr. John Frank, I'm Detective Crosby. We need to talk."

"Sir, is my mum.. where is she?"

"Oh yes, your mother's fine. There was a robbery and the culprits scared your mother. She had a panic attack and started screaming. Fortunately, there are no serious injuries and nothing was stolen. But your mother is in the hospital, our officer can drop you there. You don't need to worry about the house, I'll keep someone posted here till you're back."

John sat in the police car and didn't say anything the whole way.

He went inside the hospital and asked for his mother at the reception. He was stopped by the doctor on the way.

"Mr. Frank I presume."

"Yes, doctor. How's my mother?"

"I'm afraid to say that your mother isn't doing good. She is delusional and is heavily sedated now. I suggest you stay here, but let her rest for a while."

John nodded and went to the ward where his mother slept. She looked so pale and old. Older than she ever looked before.

John asked for the telephone and called Rick. The phone rang and he picked the call up immediately, as if he was waiting.

"Hello?"

"Rick it's John, listen I can't come tomorrow my mum's in the hospital right now. I'm there as well. She isn't good and she needs me."

" John I'm tired of your BS, you have caused so much loss to the company and now this. I gave you a task and your mother ends in the hospi-"

John hung up the phone because he saw doctors and nurses running to his mum's ward. He immediately ran there and people were trying to control her, his mother saw him and stopped struggling.

"Johnny, what have I done? I gave you life and you are going to end everything. Why Johnny? Why me? Why you?"

She started screaming aloud and swung her arms around furiously. One of the nurses pushed John aside and asked him to stay away as he was aggravating her condition. John, incredulous, dropped on the chair. Then another nurse came and told him that he has a call waiting.

He stood to get the call like a robot.

It was Rick.

"John, no need to come tomorrow, or the day after that. You're fired."

John nodded as if Rick was in front of him and hung up softly. He walked out of the corridor and then out of the hospital. He walked like a corpse with no feelings or purpose. He kept walking and entered a park near the hospital. He saw a light around him, he looked up and saw a bright light in the sky. it was like a rock hurling towards him. John stood there, accepting whatever fate might come next.

Suddenly there was a loud sound and complete blackness around him.

"Am I dead?" thought John.

"NO~~"

A voice came out of nowhere.

"~~TELL US JOHN, WHAT DO YOU WANT~~"

"I want to die"

"~~BUT WHAT'S THE END OF THAT, WE TRAVEL FAR AND WE DEVOUR WHAT WE FIND. BUT YOU ARE SO MUCH MORE. SO TELL ME WHAT DO YOU WANT, JOHN?~~"

"I want every one to die"

"~~GOOOOD~~"