1 Rainy Day

You know, after thousands of years in Hell, you would think I'd have seen it all. But ya know, nothing is more depressing - and vile - then this dude's bedroom. The floor's covered in garbage and clothes, it has an indecipherable odor. Not sure if it's old food I'm smelling or the overwhelming smell of dead dreams. Oh well, that isn't the point. This guy, his name's Jake Berry. He's 22, lives on his own in this small studio, and had likely not seen proper sunlight in at least a year. You know, he's really a case study on the human con-

"Can you pipe down? I'm trying to sleep in."

I- was that..?

"Jake. It's Jake. I heard every word." Jake says, rubbing his eyes in frustration.

You can hear me...? I've been here for like two weeks.

"Yep, I heard every word. Every single day." He responded, stretching his legs off the bed. "You know at first it freaked me out. I genuinely thought I was going crazy. But after a while I assumed I was just getting isekai'd."

Ah, yes.. That would explain you covering your ears and screaming to get out of your head. I thought that was your sleep deprivation if I'm being honest. Also, what's this isekai thing you mentioned?

"Yep, that would explain it. I really don't know how you don't notice that. Anyway, as for the isekai thing; it's basically where a person gets transported into another world. Usually with some sort of goal in mind, whether it's theirs or an overwhelming force's."

Ah... Well yes, well it's a good thing that's not my plan then! Nope, not what I'm here for at all... haha...

"What- ...what's with the nervous laugh?" Jake stammers, with a nervous look on his face.

I uh... You should really take a good look around the room. Anyway, I've overstayed my welcome in your head, I'll be muting now.

"What are y-" Jake asks, confused. "Oh my god..."

Wow, okay. Just throw his name around. Anyway, as he looked around, it slowly occurred to him what was going on. The odor had disappeared, the clothing and garbage vanished. The walls were simple wood panels, and the carpet had been replaced with dusty hardwood floors. Where the computer used to be sat a dusty typewriter and an obviously outdated electric lamp.

"What the hell is this...? Hello?? Voice??" Bit slow, ain't he? "Looks like he finally left.. Okay, well that's strange."

After digging through the drawers and looking around, all he managed to find was a dusty old bible and a few dollars. After feeling content he has checked everywhere, Jake decides to leave the room and find the exit.

"You know, usually people get transported after dying. I didn't die, did I?" Jake asked, as if I'd answer.

He definitely, 100% died. Last night he was leaning back in his chair and just sort of slipped. I figured hey, I got a dead guy, I'm bored, I should do something with it. Well, here we are. I may be the runt of the litter but I can still do fun things.

After roaming the halls, Jake found a staircase that had a lot of chatter down at the bottom. He chose to see where it lead and hopefully get an idea of his surroundings.

"Wow... this is... old." Jake says, surveying the room.

The room was full of tables illuminated by dim overhead lights. At the front of the room was a swinging door, and to the right from when you walk in there was a counter with a fireplace behind it. There was a young girl, probably 13 or so wiping down the counter. Accompanying her was an older woman, who was obviously the head of the bar.

"Hey little girl, where am I..?" Jake asks the girl as she struggles to reach for a bottle of what seems to be some sort of cleaning agent.

"How do you not know where you are? You came stumbling in here last night and passed out at the bar." The girl says with a disgusted look on her face.

Probably a good time to tell him I needed to plant memories for the transi- ...Nah, he'll figure it out.

"Sorry for the girls attitude, she's in trouble for not doing her chores yesterday." The older lady chuckles, cleaning a glass. "You're in Jonesville, Indiana. Not sure how you manage to forget your own state, but whatever."

"Jonesville...? Is that even a real place?" Jake thinks to himself, shaking the thought in lieu of more pressing concerns.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to ask any bothersome questions. Is there somewhere I can get some cash? I'm sure if I stumbled in that I haven't paid my bill." Jake asked, patting his pants to signal he has misplaced his wallet.

"Oh don't worry about it sweetie, it's on us. You weren't in great shape, seems like you'd been walking for a long time. As for cash, I'd try my hand at the post office. There's always job offerings there, posted right outside the front door." The lady replied, with an empathetic look on her face.

"Thank you, I really appreciate it. I didn't catch your name, you are..?" Jake asked, knowing he would likely return.

"I'm Carla, and this is my daughter Hailey. Nice to meet you, Mr...?" she explains while extending her hand. Hailey shrunk, obviously embarrassed.

"Jake, Jake Berry. Thanks for the help, truly. I'll be seeing you around." he replied, shaking her hand.

As Jake left the bar, he looked around and realized almost immediately how out of place he was. In his modern clothing, he was overwhelmed by a sense of dread. Everyone around him was in cheap garb. He spotted several kids playing in the dusty gravel path with sticks, pretending to sword fight. They all looked rather thin, and were wearing burlap.

"Wow, it really is different, huh..." he mutters to himself, as a huge drop of rain slaps him right in the eye as he looks up. "Couldn't have put me in on a sunny day, could you have?"

No, no I could not have. After all, where's the fun in that.