comatose

Turning around to see who had spoken those words to him, Abbey saw a man dressed in an all-black suit and black sunglasses. He was curious to know who this person was, but the man just stared at him with a straight face and repeated his words as if commanding Abbey. "I said you have to come with me," said the man in black. Abbey replied with a calm demeanor, "Repeating those words still won't make me go with you. So I suggest you tell me who you are and why you want me to go with you?"

The man was startled for a moment by Abbey's calm demeanor. After all, he was quite an imposing figure and his words carried a lot of weight. Nonetheless, the man braved himself and said, "Don't make me use force. I promise you won't like it if I do." Abbey simply smiled at the man in black before saying, "Who would ever like it when they are forced to do something against their will? Besides, I promise you will regret it if you do." Abbey's face bore a grimacing smile.

"That's enough," a much calmer voice spoke from behind the man. Abbey was taken aback by the voice as it sounded familiar. A familiar face then appeared from behind the man. Looking at the face, Abbey spoke first, "So you did all this just to get my attention? I'm surprised you even had to show your face." The familiar voice replied, "I'm truly sorry about this. I didn't plan any of it. But I, or we, need your help and we are desperate for it. A life depends on it."

Abbey was a bit surprised by those words. He pondered for a while before saying, "You need my help and you want to force me to help you? Since when has anyone been forced to help?" The person with the familiar voice replied, "I must apologize on behalf of my friend. He is desperate and has lost all efficacy. Please don't hold it against him. Like I said, we are desperate." The person with the familiar voice to Abbey was none other than Sharon, and she was desperately seeking Abbey's help for someone.

Abbey, sensing the desperation and anxiety on her face and in her voice, sighed before saying, "What do you need my help with?" Sharon didn't say much but paused for a bit before saying, "I am sorry, I can't say for now, but please, you have to come with me. When you get there, you will understand." Abbey looked at Sharon with a puzzled expression, saying, "You are making it difficult for me. I can't just leave my job in the middle of the day and follow you because you said so. Besides, do you want me to lose my job just because you said so?"

Sharon did a double take before saying, "I've got you covered. Besides, you won't lose your job for helping us. As we speak, someone is with your supervisor explaining the situation to him. Like I said before, we have to leave now." Again, Abbey was surprised by Sharon's words. He thought to himself, "Who exactly is she? And why is she suddenly interested in me and my abilities?" Abbey was snapped out of his line of thought by the radio device he was holding. He could hear Hanns' voice coming through the other side of the walkie-talkie.

"I'm almost done with the repairs," Abbey hurriedly chimed in before Hanns could say anything.

"Don't worry about the repairs for now. I will get that sorted out later. But for now, you have to go with those people you are with," Hanns said without breaking a sweat.

Again, Abbey was confused by Hanns' words and sought clarification. "Boss, are you saying I should leave what I am doing and go with these people? Won't I get in trouble for that?" asked Abbey.

"The order came from higher-ups, not me. I am just relaying the commands. If you have any questions, you are welcome to take it up with them."

Abbey didn't want to press the issue any further. He looked at Sharon in an ominous manner before saying, "Okay, let's go."

The three of them walked out of the mall and into an SUV waiting for them in the parking slot. Before getting into the SUV, Abbey sighed at something or someone.

Before long, the SUV stopped at a magnificent mansion at the edge of town. After going through all the security protocols, the SUV finally stopped at the entrance to the main building. A steward or butler quickly came around to open the door for them. Abbey was taken aback by this action, thinking to himself that the richest person in the world must live here. The butler bowed to both Sharon and Abbey before greeting them in a similar manner.

They were led into a waiting room where they were met by another person who seemed more dignified. Abbey almost choked on his saliva. Sharon, on the other hand, was as calm as ever, as if she was used to this sort of thing. The dignified man spoke in a commanding yet respectful manner. "Good to see you again, Ms. Sharon," he said while extending his arm to greet her. Sharon almost lowered her head in a gesture of respect before accepting his hand.

Next, Sharon exchanged glances with Abbey before saying, "Mr. Abbey, meet Collin Smith, our host." Before Sharon could finish her introduction, Collin Smith extended his arms to Abbey and said, "I'm sorry we had to drag you here on such short notice. If I had any other option, I would have done it differently." Abbey was overwhelmed by his actions and replied, "You must have been desperate to resort to this action. I won't hold it against you."

Abbey seemed to not know who Collin Smith was, but from what he could gather, he seemed very powerful and rich. Collin Smith could only give a malicious smile before saying, "Thank you very much for your understanding." He continued, "I have brought you here to help me with something very important. I promise you will be greatly rewarded if you can solve this problem of mine." Abbey now felt both confused and curious. He thought to himself, "What could be so important that this man would drag me across state lines? After all, he could afford the best of anything and from anywhere." So why me? Abbey pondered.

As if sensing Abbey's thoughts, Collin spoke out loud to break Abbey from his line of thought. "What I need from you, I can't get from anywhere else. If I could, I would have already done it. That's what makes you so important to me right now. I know about your abilities and I know what you can do with them." Abbey's facial expression changed immediately as he began to stare directly at Sharon. Collin Smith didn't waste any time saying, "Please don't blame Sharon. She wouldn't have told me if a life wasn't at stake. I am just a father trying everything possible to save his child."

Collin looking desperate continued speaking my son has been in a coma for the past six months and I have tried everything possible to save him. And all what I keep hearing is nothing can be done to save him. I cannot accept that, no I will not accept that. How can I let my only son, just pass way, without doing all my possible best to save him. Abbey felt a bit sympathetic for Collin and what he was passing through. He immediately asked what can I do if the doctors and all the specialist you have seen, keep saying there is nothing to be done.

Collin was a man filled with faith. He immediately answered, "They don't have your ability." And I believe with a skilled set like yours, you can do the impossible. Abbey was so touched that an unknown stranger would believe in him and his abilities. He quickly replied, "I will do my best to help your son." Collin was ecstatic and gestured for Abbey and Sharon to follow him into a private room.

Inside the large private room, which looked like a hall, there were various medical devices and apparatuses, all connected to an oxygen respirator. A boy of about nine years old lay on the bed, drained of color and life. The machine was the only thing keeping him alive. Abbey could only shake his head, thinking, "He can't even die in peace." Sharon stared sorrowfully at the boy.

Collin immediately spoke, "I would like you to get inside his head and wake him up."

"What?"

Abbey promptly sought clarification regarding the possibility of entering your son's mind to awaken him, as relayed by Collin. Upon Collin's affirmative response, Abbey expressed skepticism by indicating his belief that such an approach may not be feasible. Indeed, Abbey astutely pointed out the crucial distinction between traversing into an individual's consciousness and rousing them from slumber. It seems Abbey may have a deeper understanding of the complexities involved in consciousness and awakening. Furthermore, his statement reflects an awareness that the act of entering someone's mind does not necessarily equate to the ability to rouse them from sleep.