Chapter 01: The beginning of the beginning

Chapter 01: The beginning of the beginning

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

*

What defines an individual?

Is it our changing, sometimes even forgettable memories and the feelings attached to them?

Or something more abstract and intangible like our soul?

This question may seem meaningless... or it usually would be.

"I'm sorry child, you will cease to exist in a few moments. Or rather, your perception of everything that defines you has been usurped."

Yes, that's precisely why I'm going into a philosophical spiral.

'What the fuck is going on?'

Man... I hate Mondays...

To understand this confusion, we need to go back a few days.

Precisely, just after a special concert.

###

"====!!! ====!! ====!!!!-"

As I look at all these happy people shouting my name, I remember how many sacrifices I've made, overcome and all the people I've left behind or departed from my life over the last five years.

I feel fulfilled as an artist.

After a successful tour, where I managed to record my first successful and critically acclaimed album, I finally feel like I've won.

"Thank you so much, ******* City! I really love you all! I feel extremely happy to finish this tour in the city where it all began. It's been a tough few days, but I know I've never been alone, as I've always been supported by you, who have always believed in me!"

Feeling everyone's eyes reflecting the most varied emotions as they listened to my little closing speech, a small smile grew on my lips.

"That's it then. Until next time, *******!"

Amidst the applause and shouts, my vision is blocked by the curtains closing.

"*Sigh* Finally~"

Sighing, I turn to a member of the production, or rather my current manager, who is rapidly approaching me.

"You were great up there, ====! Especially the last song! Here, have some water."

Looking at the girl with golden hair like the sun, which is only overshadowed by her big smile, I say something that I would regret for the rest of my life... or rather, for the rest of the week.

"Hey, Julia... Would you like to have dinner with me? I know it might seem a bit abrupt-"

Before I could try to justify my invitation out of the blue, she interrupted me with an extremely excited tone of voice.

"Of course! When? N-now? I know a place with amazing food for a date-"

"Woah, slow down a bit girl. It's n-not a date, okay? I just felt a little hungry and I know you're more familiar with this area."

As I tried to disguise my embarrassment after realizing how excited she was at the idea of a date, I didn't notice the sinister look that crossed her expression before an innocent smile replaced her face.

"...I see. Don't worry, I know a perfect, discreet place for dinner. I guarantee that no one will realize you've gone out with me or anything similar. But it's a bit far from the city, since the chef is an eccentric..."

Without realizing the danger in the situation or the strangeness of the last sentence, I just smiled and nodded.

After all, Julia is a friend who would trust her with my life, a trust she earned through all the dedication she showed after my former manager disappeared overnight on an extremely important gig. 

"Perfect. I don't want anyone to take it the wrong way if they see us together." 

'I'm too much of a coward to show my feelings to someone as perfect as you, ruining your life because of my extremely psychotic fans.' 

Unfortunately the last sentence was only spoken in my mind. 

...I probably could have avoided a lot of problems.

Without further ado, we got into the car and headed out of town.

***

1 hour and 17 minutes later, very suspicious isolated hut*

'Why is this restaurant so far away? I wonder if she just made all this up and brought me here to have an intense night of-' 

"...We're here, ====."

Before my thoughts could go in a dangerous direction, I'm interrupted by Julia.

Well, now that I've stopped to think... Isn't this situation strange?

I know it's impossible for this lovely girl to kidnap me, but... Holy shit!

"Hey, Julia."

"Yes?"

 "...Why are we in the middle of nowhere in front of a 100% suspicious hut?"

"Oh, don't worry. I'm not going to rape you~"

"H-hahaha..."

Holy shit, I have to get out of here-

Before I can try to get out of the car after looking into this girl's sinister eyes, I feel my vision going dark and blurry. And my body feels heavier and heavier.

'W-what!?

"Thank God! I thought you were going to pass out on the way here from the amount of 'water' you drank, but I didn't expect the effect to take so long!"

Unable to hear properly or move, I quickly lose consciousness.

**

When I wake up, I realize that I'm tied to a bed in a practically empty room, with a severe headache and body ache.

"Urgh, where am I?"

Remembering the situation I got myself into, I feel the blood drain from my face.

'Holy shit, what kind of fucked-up situation is this?

Alone in this room in the middle of nowhere with only my panicked thoughts, I feel my stomach turn at the possibilities that this situation could cause in my life from this point on.

After all, my manager, who is apparently a psychotic maniac who drugged me and trapped me here, is nowhere to be found, something that I don't know whether to reassure or worry me even more.

With no alternative but to try to think of a plan to escape from here, as I try to free myself from these restraints, I can't help but mutter when I notice the sunlight coming through the gaps in the ceiling.

"Damn it Julia, I haven't even had dinner."

*

After futilely trying to free myself from these strangely well-made restraints, I decide to stay still to save energy, after all I'm starving after a show of that magnitude and the several hours I've spent in this godforsaken place. 

Just when I thought I was going to faint from hunger, or maybe it was because of the extreme headache, I hear the sound of a car approaching.

For a moment I thought about shouting for help, but I don't need to be a genius to figure out who the approaching person is.

And yes, it's Julia.

"Hey, you're finally awake~ For a moment I thought I'd ruined everything when you didn't wake up even after two days, hahaha. Are you hungry?"

'..."

"Come on, ====. You're hurting my fragile heart~"

'That's sick.

That's what I think, but I'm not stupid enough to antagonize a person who clearly has serious psychological problems and who maintains my physical safety out of sheer spite.

"...I'm hungry... and thirsty."

"Ohh, looks like the big star has finally decided to talk to this humble mortal~. So, are you surprised? Confused? Or perhaps... a-afraid~?"

Damn it, her irritating tone of voice is starting to frustrate me. What's with the air of superiority? 

Sorry, Dad, but I think that for the first time in my life, I don't agree with you.

"Hoh~ That's a dangerous look you're showing, ====. Maybe you're angry?"

Women are despicable. 

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------