Chapter 1 - The Past

It was supposed to be an ordinary night.

I returned home from work relatively late and exhausted as usual, fumbling with the key at my apartment’s door before walking in and setting my heavy bags down. The moonlight filtered through the windows, and all I wanted to do was collapse onto the couch and fall asleep without knowing. My usual routine.

I threw some leftover fast food I had sitting in the fridge for days into the microwave, too drained to actually cook anything. Nothing that appetizing, but I can’t keep forgetting to eat…

From there, my mind starts to get fuzzy. I finished my food, and then I think I was watching TV on the couch..? But I must’ve fallen asleep, and at some point I heard a strange, staticky voice calling out to me, waking me up from my slumber.

When I opened my eyes again the room was much darker than normal, and the only thing illuminating my surroundings was a strange purple glow from the TV.

The purple static danced around the screen, and I stared at it in my sleepy gaze, entranced by the strange noise it made, until a sudden voice from within the screen snapped me back into reality.

 “Given the opportunity, would you change your past?”

 “…My past..?”

 “Yes, your past. To shape your old worries and regrets into something new, such as a happy memory to look back on instead. Or, to finally forget and move on. To erase an event from your mind that’s plagued your life with guilt and distress.”

 “I… I mean, I don’t know… maybe? That’s definitely a difficult question. I’d have to think about it.”

I laugh nervously, trying to make light of the strange situation.

 “No need. I can do that for you.”

Suddenly, I felt my head throb intensely, and I recoiled in pain. It’s like something was digging through my brain, carelessly yet precisely flipping through thoughts and memories, like it was trying to find something in particular.

 “There we go. Much more efficient.”

In a blurry daze, I try and recollect my thoughts, my vision darkened and my head spinning achingly. The strange voice pauses for a moment, letting me attempt to gather my bearings, before continuing.

 “Do you remember your sister?”

My eyes grew wide in shock, remembering the scene before my eyes all over again. I had just gotten back home from school that day and found the note she left on the table. I ran to the rooftop to stop her, but a part of me knew it was too late.

 “M- my sister..?”

 “Yes, your sister. I’ve seen it all now. I’ll be honest, I’m surprised by how vividly you still remember it. It’s still relatively fresh in your memory, despite it being over 10 years ago now. What a shame… aren’t you tired of that unfortunate situation plaguing your mind?”

 “It’s haunted me ever since… so… yeah, I suppose…”

 “I’m sure it would.”

I felt myself instinctively crawling closer to the screen, mesmerized by the intricate patterns formed within the static, still dazed, but the warmth from the screen felt so strangely comforting.

 “I have an offer for you.”

 “You do?”

 “Indeed. I can help you forget all of those needless memories plaguing your life, if you’re willing to take a few risks.”

 “What risks?”

 “A few challenges, per say. To prove your worth.”

 “...And if I fail?”

 “If you fail, you’ll be doomed to repeat the same memory over and over for all eternity. But don’t let that bring you down. You have the opportunity of a lifetime, right here, right now. Make your decision.”

All of my racing thoughts screamed no, but… There’s no way I could keep running from this forever… and if I didn’t take the deal, I would never have an opportunity like this ever again. Before I could dwell on it any further, I made my final decision.

 “I… I accept your offer.”

The static got louder momentarily, filling my ears with the sound of garbled noise before the voice spoke up again

 “Good choice. See you soon!”

And with that, I blacked out.

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