Chapter 2: Vial

New York

A spaceship silently appeared on a deserted rooftop in Buffalo. it exterior blends in with the citscape below, with its advanced cloaking technology.

As it neared the ground, the ship hovered momentarily before touching down gently. The hatch opened, and Sun Chang stepped out, glancing around at the familiar surroundings. Taking a deep breath, he whispered to himself, "Happy to be home."

The spaceship lifted off almost instantly, vanishing into the night sky. 

Sun Chang stood for a moment, watching the spaceship disappear, before turning his attention to the city below. It had been years since he last walked these streets, and despite the urban decay, the place still felt like home. He glanced around, orienting himself, before setting off toward his apartment.

Buffalo City was a sprawling metropolis, a blend of old and new, with towering skyscrapers casting long shadows over crumbling buildings. The streets were alive with a mix of people, from hurried professionals to street vendors peddling their products. Sun navigated through the crowds, his footsteps echoing against the worn cobblestones of narrow alleys. He passed by familiar landmarks: the old library with its grandiose pillars, the bustling marketplace where he used to buy groceries, and the graffiti-covered walls of abandoned factories.

As he approached his neighborhood, the surroundings grew quieter, the hustle and bustle of the city fading into a more residential calm. His apartment building was ahead—a relic of mid-20th-century architecture with faded brickwork and ivy creeping up the sides. The front entrance, adorned with a tarnished brass plaque, welcomed him back with a creak of its heavy door.

Sun climbed the stairwell to the fourth floor, the air thick with the scent of old wood and dust. He reached his apartment door, number 402, and pulled out his key. Inserting it into the lock, he turned it, but the door didn't budge. He frowned, jiggling the key a few more times with no success. Just as he was about to give up, a voice echoed from the end of the hallway.

"What are you doing there?"

He turned to see Mrs. Garcia, the elderly landlady, walking towards him with a look of suspicion. As she got closer, her eyes widened in recognition.

"Sun Chang? Is that really you?"

Sun Chang smiled awkwardly, asking Mrs. Garcia, "Why isn't my key working?"

Mrs. Garcia's expression shifted from shock to anger. "You come back after three years and expect it to work? Do you know how long you've been gone? And you didn't even pay rent for most of that time!"

Sun's expression stiffened in realization. "I... I was away, and I couldn't... I mean, I wasn't able to contact anyone. Can we figure something out?"

Mrs. Garcia threw her hands up in exasperation. "Figure something out? I had to rent your place out after you disappeared without a trace! I can't just evict the new tenants because you suddenly decided to come back."

Sun Chang sighed, "I understand, Mrs. Garcia. I was in some trouble. Is there any way I can get my things back, at least?"

Mrs. Garcia softened a bit at his obvious distress. "Your things are in storage. I didn't throw them away, but I'm not giving you back the apartment. You can stay in the old maintenance room downstairs if you need a place to crash for a few days, but you need to sort out your life, Sun."

"Thank you, Mrs. Garcia. I really appreciate it," Sun said, relieved to at least have a temporary solution. He followed her downstairs, his mind already racing with thoughts on how to get back on his feet.

It has been three years, and it is likely that he also lost his job. It's probably even harder for me to find a decent job after his disappearance. Thinking of this, he regretted not asking for more from those aliens.

They reached the maintenance room, and Mrs. Garcia opened the door, revealing a small space. "It's not much, but it's yours for now," she said.

Sun nodded, thanking Mrs. Garcia.

.....

After Mrs. Garcia left, Sun Chang took a moment to survey the maintenance room. It was cramped and sparsely furnished, but it was a roof over his head, and for now, that was enough. He took out a small box from his pocket, opening it to reveal a vial filled with a green liquid.

Sun carefully picked up the vial, holding it up to the light. The potion of life, this wasn't just any ordinary concoction; it was a replication of the legendary Water of Life. The original water, a mythical substance believed to grant immense vitality and longevity, had been lost to time, but scientists had managed to create this potent replica.

Since Sun's abduction, he has become familiar with the workings of the Galactic Alliance. This interstellar government distributes hundreds of these vials every year across the galaxy. The Potion of Life was part of their effort to maintain peace and stability among the various civilizations. It was said to heal wounds, cure diseases, and even slow down aging, making it one of the most sought-after substances in the universe.

Sun couldn't help but marvel at the vial. During his time away, he had seen these distributed to those in need, a gesture of goodwill from the Galactic Alliance. He had never imagined he would get one himself. It felt surreal, holding a piece of advanced alien technology right here in this shabby maintenance room.

 Taking a deep breath, he cautiously brought the glass to his lips and swallowed. It started with a faint buzz in the back of his mind. Bitterness followed with a gentle wave of relief, spreading from head to toe. 

Sun Chang blinked, feeling the changes in his body. A sudden heaviness descended upon his limbs, and confusion flickered across his face as he struggled to maintain his balance, his muscles trembling with a strange intensity.

He gripped the bottle tighter, attempting to steady himself, but his legs refused to support him any longer. He collapsed to his knees, the bottle slipping from his grasp.

Fatigue began to set in as his eyelids drooped despite his efforts to stay awake. The noise of the air conditioner faded, and he made a final struggle before collapsing.