Prologue

Adam is a 21 year old boy, with nothing going for him in life. He lives alone with a dead end job and no motivation. Though he keeps his head high and pushes forward. Just like every year, today is a very special day.

He carries a pack of beer, ones that his father drank. He wears his backpack and strolls onto the grass passing several stones with names on them. He doesn't stop until he reaches a familiar one. He stares at it for a moment before finally clearing his throat.

"Hey, dad!" He sits on the ground facing the tome stone. 'Johnathan Baker' his name faces and stares at Adam. "It's been a while, huh." Adam sets the pack of beer beside him and opens his backpack. He freezes for a moment before searching through it. He pulls out a bottle opener and takes out one of the six beers. "Finally, can have one with my old man, right! Haha, just liked you promised you would..." He places the bottle against the tome stone and gets another one for himself.

The breeze of summer's warmth fills in the silence as Adam gathers his thoughts.

"How have I been doing? Oh, well... I've been doing good..." He takes a large sip from the bottle. "Gross. Can't believe you like that." He sighs and leans back a little, looking at the clouds in the blue sky. "Mom still hasn't returned. Not that she ever did..." He takes another sip. "I had a girlfriend, eh. Not bad for a stud like myself. She then cheated on me with my friends. Yep, you heard that, plural." He finishes the bottle and places it back in the box before grabbing another one.

"Fucken bitches." He mumbles. "Though, that's not even the best part, heh, look at this, she got pregnant by one of them. HAHAHAHA!" He rubs his head before slapping his cheek lightly. "Got fired today. That was fun, got blamed for something I didn't do, but fuck'em, wanted to quit for a while."

Adam grabs the beer that's leaning on the tome stone and pours some of it on it. before setting it back against the stone.

"People usually want to give up at this part huh... I sure do understand thinking that way now." He finishes another bottle and opens another one. "Like you taught me, the world is cruel and unforgiving, but it's that way to forge strong men, right." Adam quivers as he grips the bottle tightly. "I haven't given up yet. Why am I not strong dad?!" He yells at the tome stone waiting for a answer.

Adam sighs and twirls the bottle before taking another drink. He glances at the tome stone and chuckles.

"Why am I even asking you? You gave up and left me behind..." He goes through his bag once more and pulls out two birthday hats. "On my birthday no less." He places one on the tome stone and wears the other one. He pulls out a small box of a single cube of chocolate strawberry cake. He places a candle on it and lights it. "These three years, not one of my wishes came true. Yet, I keep holding onto hope that maybe, just maybe, I can be happy again."

Adam blows out he candle and closes the box not even looking at the cake. He finishes the bottle and opens his backpack slightly.

"Should I do it, pops?" He reaches into the bag and pulls out a revolver. "Should I go out the same way you did?" He loads it with a single bullet and spins it. "Roulette! The most fair game I've heard. Five out of six people enjoy it it seems." He takes it and press it against his head. "I hate this feeling of hopelessness." Adam lowers the gun and puts it back into the bag. "But you were right, tough times make did make me stronger. Every day gets worse, but the kindness of truly good people makes me want to hold out a little longer."

He pulls out a letter from his bag, it has already been open before. He stares at it for a bit before opening it again.

"I helped a little girl find her parents after the earthquake hit. They got separated or something, but something inside of didn't want her to suffer like I did. So I took her to find her parents and the joy on their faces made me realize that we need strong, kind people to thrive in this stupid world." He the letter has a picture of him and the little girl with the words 'Hero' above his head.

He bites his lips and wipes his forming tears before standing up. He gathers the bottles and wears his backpack.

"I can't keep coming back to you. You just keep reminding me of the past. This is the last time dad. I'm sorry." He holds back his tears as the pain in his throat intensifies. Adam walks away, not looking back at the one man he admired.

Adam continues walking down the street, not many people in sight, which is odd.

"Help!" He hears from a alley way. He turns to check on it and notices a older man beating on a young boy, probably a senior in high school. The old man attempts to take the boy's backpack, but the boy fights back with pleads. Adam rushes in and throws the pack of beer at the old man.

"What the?!" Adam punches him hard. The old man doesn't hesitate and takes out a knife. Adam dodges the best he could and disarms the man before throwing him to the ground.

"Run!" He shouts at the young boy. Adam notices the man reach for his holster with crazy eyes. Adam takes off his backpack quickly before pulling out his revolver.

'Let's see if today was my fated day after all.' He thought aiming at the crazy old man. Adam fires nearly at the same time as the man.

Both fall to their knees as pain circulates around Adam's chest. He's been hit and is bleeding quite a bit. He grins as his eyes start to feel heavy.

"Guess, today was the day huh." He shuts his eyes voluntarily and leans against the nearby wall.